This document records the slaves that George Washington and his younger brothers inherited after the death of their brother, Lawrence (1718–1752). By the time George Washington died, several hundred slaves lived on his estate. However, he evidently came to believe that slavery contradicted the principles of the new nation. In his will, he arranged for his slaves to be freed after the death of his wife Martha (1731–1802), and provided pensions for their care and education. Gift of André de Coppet, Class of 1915. André de Coppet Collection, Manuscripts Division.

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