7 Facts About The Founding Fathers That’ll Make You Rethink American History

Published July 3, 2014
Updated March 12, 2024

George Washington Broke A Promise To Free His Slaves

Gilbert Stuart Portrait Of George Washington

Wikimedia CommonsOnly one of George Washington’s slaves was freed when he died.

George Washington is revered for his prowess in war, his inability to lie, and his generosity in freeing his slaves. But the founding father actually lost more battles than he won and even though he promised to free his slaves upon his deathbed, he failed to do so.

When George Washington died in 1799, the whole nation ground to a halt. America’s first president was dead. All of America mourned and wore black armbands to honor him. 

That is, everybody but the 123 slaves he failed to liberate before he passed. Washington had promised to free every single one of his slaves upon his death, it was even written in his will. But only a single slave, Revolutionary War hero William Lee, was freed immediately. Almost half of his Mount Vernon slaves remained in shackles for decades more.

George Washington At Mount Vernon

Wikimedia CommonsThe founding father alongside his slaves at Mount Vernon.

Apparently, the founding father only had the legal right to free half the slaves at Mount Vernon, the rest belonged to his wife’s family. Mrs. Washington only freed the rest of their slaves when she felt that they were plotting against her. Washington’s views on the peculiar institution changed throughout his life, but he ultimately rationalized keeping his own slaves.

Washington was no different than most of his wealthy Virginian landowners in this respect, however. He, like them, owned slaves who worked his land.

George Washington On His Deathbed

Wikimedia CommonsWashington also reportedly used his slaves to experiment with various farming techniques.

Apologists say that Washington treated his slaves well, but he still beat them and did not free anyone while he was alive.

author
Marco Margaritoff
author
A former staff writer for All That’s Interesting, Marco Margaritoff holds dual Bachelor's degrees from Pace University and a Master's in journalism from New York University. He has published work at People, VICE, Complex, and serves as a staff reporter at HuffPost.
editor
Leah Silverman
editor
A former associate editor for All That's Interesting, Leah Silverman holds a Master's in Fine Arts from Columbia University's Creative Writing Program and her work has appeared in Catapult, Town & Country, Women's Health, and Publishers Weekly.