1789
At the time of his first inauguration, George Washington held 317 enslaved people at Mount Vernon. As president, he rotated enslaved household workers in and out of Philadelphia every six months to circumvent Pennsylvania's gradual abolition law, which freed enslaved people who resided in the state for six continuous months. When Ona Judge, an enslaved woman who served Martha Washington, escaped to New Hampshire in 1796, Washington deployed federal agents and a U.S. customs officer to recapture her repeatedly. She refused to return and died free in 1848. Washington's will freed his enslaved people only at Martha's death; the 153 enslaved people belonging to the Custis estate were never freed by him.
Olaudah Equiano published The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano in London in 1789. It was the first widely read autobiography by an enslaved African, describing his capture in what is now Nigeria, the Middle Passage, enslavement in the Caribbean and Virginia, self-purchase, and life as a free man in London. It went through nine editions before 1794. Equiano personally lobbied Parliament and was a central figure in the British abolitionist movement; the book directly influenced
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- 1789Olaudah Equiano Publishes The Interesting Narrative
Olaudah Equiano published The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano in London in 1789. It was the first widely read autobiography by an enslaved African, describing his capture in what is now Nigeria, the Middle Passage, enslavement in the Caribbean and Virginia, self-purchase, and life as a free man in London. It went through nine editions before 1794. Equiano personally lobbied Parliament and was a central figure in the British abolitionist movement; the book directly influenced
- 1789Olaudah Equiano Publishes The Interesting Narrative
Equiano published The Interesting Narrative in London — the first widely read autobiography by an enslaved African, describing his capture in Nigeria, the Middle Passage, enslavement, self-purchase, and freedom. It went through nine editions before 1794. Equiano personally lobbied Parliament; the book directly influenced the 1807 Slave Trade Act.
- 1789George Washington Enslaves 317 People at Mount Vernon — and Enforces Bondage as President
At the time of his first inauguration, George Washington held 317 enslaved people at Mount Vernon. As president, he rotated enslaved household workers in and out of Philadelphia every six months to circumvent Pennsylvania's gradual abolition law, which freed enslaved people who resided in the state for six continuous months. When Ona Judge, an enslaved woman who served Martha Washington, escaped to New Hampshire in 1796, Washington deployed federal agents and a U.S. customs officer to recapture her repeatedly. She refused to return and died free in 1848. Washington's will freed his enslaved people only at Martha's death; the 153 enslaved people belonging to the Custis estate were never freed by him.