Day Book of Thomas Peter

Although George Washington included a provision in his will to free his slaves upon the death of his wife, he was only able to free those who legally belonged to him. Many of the slaves at Mount Vernon were part of Martha Washington’s dower share of the Custis estate. These slaves were not freed when Martha Washington died in 1802, but were instead divided among the Custis heirs. This document is from Thomas Peter’s Day Book and lists the Custis dower slaves inherited by Martha’s granddaughter, Martha Parke Custis Peter of Tudor Place in Georgetown (image courtesy of Tudor Place Foundation).

Tudor Place

eng

manuscript