[4], In the memoirs of Martha Washington's grandson, G.W.P. Krasne found an index entry that listed a Hercules Posey of Virginia, aged 64, as having died of consumption on May 15, 1812, and having been buried in the Second African Burying Ground in New York City. Myths / Heroes / Heracles. Hercules the man was very real. The infant Hercules was unusually strong and fearless . The Queen of Creole Cuisine, Leah Chase (1923-2019), was a contemporary of Edna Lewis but a different force altogether. Posey was possibly a teenager when he came to Mount Vernon, Washington's estate in Virginia, about 150 miles south-west of Philadelphia. In the time the chef resided in Philadelphia, the city was positioned ideally in the middle of the nation, and thanks to the wide, navigable Susquehanna, Delaware and Schuylkill rivers, regionally produced vegetables, fruits, meats and dairy products like milk and butter arrived regularly at its open-air High Street Market. Washington's 1799 Will instructed that his slaves be freed upon Martha's death. A picture book for young children about Hercules, A Birthday Cake for George Washington illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton and authored by Ramin Ganeshram, was published by Scholastic Trade Publishing in January 2016. You may also be interested in: How rice shaped the American South The chef preserving Gullah culture The Washington DC sauce drenched in debate. Because Posey's late wife Alice had been a "Dower" slave, owned by the estate of Martha Washington's first husband, their three children were not freed. [2] This may have been Eve, or it may have been an unidentified fourth child fathered by Hercules after his wife's death. It is possible that Hercules did not know he had been manumitted, and legally was no longer a fugitive. [13] Ganeshram, and her colleague Sara Krasne at the Westport Historical Society, found compelling evidence suggesting that Hercules, of whom there was no record after 1801, lived and died in New York City. In gratitude, Creon, king of Thebes offered his eldest daughter, Megara, to the hero. He was stronger than many of the gods and eventually become a god on his own. Despite the laws, the restaurant became a hub where Black and white activists met to advance the Civil Rights Movement. Benson J. Lossing (New York, 1860), 422. In November 1796, Richmond was implicated in a theft of money at Mount Vernon. I spent a dozen years researching on Posey for my novel The General's Cook, piecing together the details of his remarkable life through painstaking research of Washington's household accounts, letters to and from his Philadelphia steward and personal secretary, census documents and other ephemera. Anyone can read what you share. Hercules, also known as Heracles, Herculies, Herculea or Hercukes, is a prime example of a mighty warrior. Hercules Posey would have been familiar with Philadelphia's City Tavern in his time (Credit: John Greim/Getty Images). Stephen Decatur Jr.'s book The Private Affairs of George Washington (1933) stated that Hercules escaped to freedom from Philadelphia in March 1797, at the end of Washington's presidency. In his interpretive work, Williams strives to make it clear that whatever limited autonomy or "pride of place" cooks like Posey were allowed, it did not make up for the fact that their labour and liberty were stolen. Follow NYT Food on Twitter and NYT Cooking on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. A picture book for young children about Hercules, A Birthday Cake for George Washington illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton and authored by Ramin Ganeshram, was published by Scholastic Trade Publishing in January 2016. Learn more about Leah through the National Visionary Project website. However, Washington's step grandson, George Washington Parke Custis, chose to immortalise the chef in an biographical sketch in his book Reflections and Private Memoirs of Washington. Today's Black History Month tribute, courtesy of Judge Derek Mosley, introduces you to Hercules Posey, the head cook to George Washington. Carsons cookbooks archived by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries, Jubilee: Recipes from Two Centuries of African American Cooking. In 1780, Pennsylvania passed the Gradual Abolition Act, which freed all future children of the state's slaves. Hes credited as being the first-ever American to train as a chef in France, even though he was enslaved by Thomas Jefferson for most of his life. Hemings & Hercules explores American history through dishes like black-eyed pea pancakes inspired by Hercules Caesar, George Washington's chef. [14] Their new research was published by the Westport Historical Society in 2019. According to his April 5 diary entry: The general's cook ran away, being now in Philadelphia, and left a little daughter of six at Mount Vernon. The height of Posey is 1.85 meter or 6 feet 1 inch. 16. It was literally a 24/7 job.". [b] If held beyond that period, the act empowered those slaves to register as Pennsylvania residents, and claim their freedom. "Uncle Harkless," as he was called by George Washington Parke Custis, served as chief cook at the Mansion House for many years.In November 1790, Hercules was one of eight enslaved Africans brought by President Washington to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, then the . This makes Herc and Ariel first cousins, once removed. He, Alice, and the three children were listed in the February 1786 Mount Vernon Slave Census, which records him as one of two cooks in the Mansion House. Enslaved African cook held at Mount Vernon. In November 1796, Richmond was implicated in a theft of money at Mount Vernon. James negotiated for his freedom, which he gained after training his brother Peter for three years to replace him as chef. The sole source for this daughter is Louis Philippe's diary (see below). "12The Washington family never located Posey. [a] It also prohibited non-resident slaveholders living in Pennsylvania from holding slaves in the state for longer than six months. According to Custis, Hercules was a dapper dresser and was given freedom to walk about in the city. Learn more about Hercules at MountVernon.org. Louis-Philippe,Diary of My Travels in America, translation by Stephen Becker (New York: Delacorte Press, 1977), p. 32; 1786 Mount Vernon Slave Census, Diaries of George Washington, vol. A more extensive archeological excavation was undertaken in 2007, which revealed foundations of the kitchen, an underground passage that connected the kitchen to the main house, and foundations of the Bow Window (a precursor to the Oval Office). Like many Disney films, it chooses to omit the darker elements of the story and instead offers up a much happier ending. Ramin Ganeshram, of the Westport Museum for History and Culture in Connecticut, will discuss the life of the enslaved chef of George Washington. Hercules was probably born around 1748, and was acquired by Washington as collateral for an unpaid loan made to Hercules' original owner, Washington's neighbor John Posey. Washington argued (privately) that he was a citizen of Virginia, that his presence in Pennsylvania was solely a consequence of Philadelphia's being the temporary national capital, and that the state law should not apply to him. According to Custis, Posey earned "one to two hundred dollars a year," by selling leftovers, known as slops, from the presidential kitchen. (1780)", Craig LaBan, "A birthday shock from Washington's chef", "George Washington's enslaved chef, who cooked in Philadelphia, disappears from painting, but may have reappeared in New York", "Centuries-old mystery solved by Westport Historical Society", "George Washington's Last Will and Testament", "Landscapes of Slavery at Mansion House Farm", "We Need to Stop Publishing Books Depicting Happy Slaves", "Scholastic pulls George Washington book over slave cake controversy", "New statement about the picture book "A Birthday Cake for George Washington", "Interview with Ramin Ganeshram, author of The General's Cook: A Novel - Journal of the American Revolution", "Hercules and Hemings: Presidents' Slave Chefs", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hercules_Posey&oldid=1138090992, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 8 February 2023, at 00:06. Slaying the Lernaean Hydra. Sarah, the wife of "Postilion Joe", and their children took the surname "Richardson" after being free under Washington's Will. In honor of James Hemings: Seared whitefish with creamy grits, sweet corn chow chow and poached herring butter sauce. A new building for the Liberty Bell opened in Philadelphia in 2003. 13. The series included several of Hercules' period recipes, along with photos, kitchen logs and other information. Bound to the Fire: How Virginia's Enslaved Cooks Helped Invent American Cuisine, The Washington DC sauce drenched in debate. "From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 10 March 1797," Founders Online, National Archives. During his time in office, Chef Hercules Posey joined the ranks of the White House kitchen. In November 1790, Hercules was one of eight enslaved Africans brought by President Washington to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, then the temporary national capital, to serve in the household of the third presidential mansion. Learn more about James at Monticello.org. Most had gained liberty thanks to Pennsylvania's 1780 Gradual Abolition Law that emancipated enslaved persons remaining in the Commonwealth for more than six months. After a long day in president George Washington's executive kitchen, chef Hercules hit the streets of Philadelphia with sartorial flair and a keen eye for late-18th century fashion. Following Alice's death, he may have had another daughter. On February 22, 1797, Washington's 65th birthday, Hercules escaped from Mount Vernon and fled to New York City, where he lived under the name "Hercules Posey." "Uncle Harkless," as he was called by George Washington Parke Custis, served as chief cook at the Mansion House for many years. According to Custis, Hercules was a dapper dresser and was given freedom to walk about in the city. including his slaves. San Francisco, CA: City Light Books, 2011. Hercules Greek God Son of Zeus. Depending on the season, there were oyster stews, other soups and pottages, as well as fruit pies, ice cream and seasonal fish. ", Posey's story, like the grand majority of black men and women of his time, was not documented or preserved well through the years. As American chefs over the centuries sought to mimic what Posey created for the president's table, a style of haute American cuisine was born, one that highlighted local ingredients prepared in an elegant, though not lavish, style that was judiciously seasoned with the best additions the world market could offer. Hercules and his wife Alice had three children: son Richmond (born 1777) and daughters Eve (also Evey; born 1782) and Delia (born 1785). Hercules remained in hiding. It was this amendment that Washington repeatedly violated. Stephen Decatur, Jr., Private Affairs of George Washington (Cambridge, MA: The Riverside Press, 1933), p. 296. Sir, I am very glad, because he is free now.". Hercules is one of the largest constellations in the night sky but doesn't contain any very bright stars. Private Affairs of George Washington. Take a look below for 20 interesting and amazing facts about Hercules, California, United States. Twitter. A more extensive archeological excavation was undertaken in 2007, which revealed foundations of the kitchen, an underground passage that connected the kitchen to the main house, and foundations of the Bow Window (a precursor to the Oval Office). The others were his son Richmond (then 13 years old), Oney Judge, Moll, Austin, Christopher Sheels, Giles, Paris, and Joe (Richardson). Decatur, a descendant of Washington's secretary, Tobias Lear, discovered a cache of family papers unavailable to scholars, and presented Hercules's escape from Philadelphia as fact. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Learn more about Edna through the African American Chefs Hall of Fame website. An entry in that week's Mount Vernon farm report noted that Hercules "absconded 4 [days ago]". A new building for the Liberty Bell opened in Philadelphia in 2003. Intelligence and Operations. In April of 1789, General George Washington became the first President of the United States. 4, Donald Jackson and Dorothy Twohig, eds., (Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia Press), pp. [11] Historian Anna Coxe Toogood found Hercules and Richmond listed in the Mount Vernon farm records during the winter of 179697. The U.S. Supreme Court later found Pennsylvania's 1788 amendment to the Gradual Abolition Act to be unconstitutional in Prigg v. Pennsylvania. Members of Congress and their slaves were specifically exempted from the act. Following a 27-year career feeding students and administrators at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Carson and his wife, Bea, hosted the TV show Whats Cookin and the radio broadcast Cooking School of the Air. Carla Hall, Marcus Samuelsson, Robert W. Lee - These are the names of only. '", His culinary skill may have been considered great in his time, but unfortunately, we have no survived record of his recipes. During excavation in 2000, remnants of the icehouse of the long-demolished President's House were uncovered. Bring a pot of equal parts water and milk to boil in a large pot. "1786 Mount Vernon Slave Census," Diaries of George Washington, vol. Hercules remained in hiding. Washington agreed and Richmond was allowed to work with his father. Leah even sent food to Civil Rights leaders when they were jailed. [10], New research documents that Hercules was left behind at Mount Vernon following Christmas 1796, when the Washingtons returned to Philadelphia. Share. Wood engraving of a barbeque from a sketch by T. R. Davis. The History of Hercules Posey, The Generals Cook, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/07/dining/hercules-posey.html, the series High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America on Netflix. He apprenticed there under the enslaved cooks Doll and Nathan, who managed the kitchen for many decades, and he mastered his craft so well that Washington brought him to cook at thePresident's Housein Philadelphia in 1790. The Mount Vernon Ladies Association has been maintaining the Mount Vernon Estate since they acquired it from the Washington family in 1858. hobby caravan spares or repair; cincinnati cyclones roster; daniella karagach and pasha pashkov wedding. 1. His name was Hercules Posey. In the memoirs of Martha Washington's grandson, G.W.P. New York, 1860. [16] Washington's 1799 Will instructed that his slaves be freed upon Martha's death. The name "Hades" is also the name of the god's realm. Hercules Washington was the enslaved head cook at George Washington's Mount Vernon plantation home where he prepared meals for decades for the Washington family and the guests who visit the mansion. When the national capital moved to Philadelphia in 1790, there was a question about whether the state law would apply to federal officials. It's truly no wonder that American cuisine has always been driven and founded on the remarkable abilities of Black chefs. Learn more about Posey's flight to freedom in our podcast episode Intertwined Stories: Finding Hercules Posey.. Washington was angered and confused by the decision to run away, believing that Posey lived a privileged life. By the 15 th century, Europeans, hungry for the flavors controlled by the old empires, began the aggressive search for faster trade routes. In honor of Carson Gulley: Oven fried perch with tartar sauce. Hera learned that Hercules was actually the son of her husband Zeus and another woman and . Admittedly, I carried that heaviness into Hemings & Hercules, a dinner series inspired by the work of James Hemings and Hercules Posey, who were enslaved by Thomas Jefferson and George Washington . Nothing more is known of his whereabouts or life in freedom. Hercules Quotes. Hercules Posey cooked for George Washington for much of his life. Ed. Richmond, Eve and Delia would have been divided among Martha Washington's four grandchildren, but it is not known who was sent where. The Generals Cook in Philadelphia and New York, Feb. 17 at 6:30 p.m., culinaryhistoriansny.org. When Washington was required to live in Philadelphia, the first capitol of the United States, he transported Posey and other enslaved workers back and forth to Virginia to avoid Pennsylvania laws that called for freedom for men and women living in the state for longer than six . WESTPORT It's a mystery that has intrigued historians for decades and now, after 218 years, has been solved thanks to staff at the Westport Historical Society. [3] So Yummy, Thomas Jefferson had a Bizarre Diet that Was Way Ahead of Its Time, Ryleigh Nucilli, July 9, 2019. Hercules Posey was the personal slave and cook to George Washington and Martha Washington during his presidency. Officers of the executive and judicial branches of the federal government were not mentioned, since those branches did not exist until the U.S. Constitution was ratified, in 1789.[8]. The 1799 Mount Vernon Slave Census listed 124 enslaved Africans owned by Washington and 153 "dower" slaves owned by Martha Washington's family. . Hercules (/ h r k j l i z /, US: /-k j -/) is the Roman equivalent of the Greek divine hero Heracles, son of Jupiter and the mortal Alcmena.In classical mythology, Hercules is famous for his strength and for his numerous far-ranging adventures.. Hercules Posey (1748 May 15, 1812) was an enslaved African owned by George Washington, at his plantation Mount Vernon in Virginia. Previous to his arrival at Mount Vernon, Hercules was enslaved by and worked as a ferryman for Washingtons neighbor John Posey. The story of Hercules, the Washingtons celebrity chef. how many mythic players mtg arena. Hercules chose Alice, one of Martha Washington's "Dower" slaves, as his wife, and they had three children: Richmond (born 1777), Eve (born 1782), and Delia (born 1785). The constellation is one of the largest in the night sky, and the story behind it is a tale of madness, strength and bravery. Hercules is a hero in Roman mythology. The Hercules beetle is a type of scarab beetle, and its scientific name is Dynastes hercules. Call Today +971 2 4440458 Al-Muror Road, Behind Al-Mushrif Mall, Abu dhabi If held beyond that period, the act empowered those slaves to register as Pennsylvania residents, and claim their freedom. In desperate remorse, he sought the advice of Apollo via his oracle at Delphi.The advice was for Hercules to offer his services to his cousin Eurystheus, the king of Mycenae, Tiryns . . Although Posey spent nearly three times as long in New York as he did in Philadelphia, it is Philly where he made a name for himself. These varied throngs gathered at Philadelphia's theatres, circuses and taverns, which according to Washington's household accounts, were also frequented by Posey. When Jefferson was appointed as Minister to France, James traveled with him to Paris. As a result, Posey's children remained enslaved. Stephen McLeod. "Memorandum List of Tithables, 14 June 1771,"Founders Online, National Archives. A portrait long attributed to Gilbert Stuart, now at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid, Spain, and thought to portray Hercules[5] was examined by experts in 2017 and, in fact, determined not to be Hercules at all. There is truly no shortage of these skilled persons in history. Louis Philippe I, later the last King of France, visited Mount Vernon in 1797, and wrote in his diary of Hercules' escape to freedom and how he had left behind his six-year-old daughter. By. 11 Jun 2022. 9. And his labors for the Washingtons were well-documented at Mount Vernon and in Philadelphia, where he was renowned for the feasts he cooked at the President's House between 1790 and 1796. sixth amendment memes. His mom Alcmene was a mortal queen married to Amphitryon, son of one other legendary Greek Hero Perseus. . "Sothese Pillars of Hercules. If you have a telescope at home, you can easily locate the Hercules constellation and maybe even explore some of the deep space objects within. The Hercules constellation was first recorded by Ptolemy, the Greek astronomer, in the second century. The son of Zeus, the king of the gods, and the mortal woman Alcmene, Heracles (as he was known to the Greeks) was born in Thebes. It was here in Philadelphia that Posey was exposed to and inspired by ingredients and cooking techniques from throughout the nation and the world. "7, However, other records indicate that Posey escaped in early February 1797, after being made a laborer at Mount Vernon instead of his usual chef duties. According to Dr Kelley Fanto Deetz, author of Bound to the Fire: How Virginia's Enslaved Cooks Helped Invent American Cuisine, a mix of West African, European, Native American foodways collided in the colonies, by force," she said, "and this collision found a world stage in places like Washington's dining room table in Philadelphia.". Read about our approach to external linking. Posey cooked in this kitchen. bud factor x vs; Sir, I am very glad, because he is free now."[2]. Hercules "Uncle Harkless" Posey (est. Lusane, Clarence. temecula valley imaging patient portal. Instead, the quest led her to documents about a 'Hercules Posey.' Posey is the surname of a previous owner of Washington' chef. They believe Hercules was left behind at a Manhattan cemetery when bodies were . Despite the animated film's G rating, there are plenty of jokes and references in the movie that are more likely to be appreciated by adults.. Disney recently announced a live-action remake of the classic film, so some fans have reignited a love for the original animated version, but even they might not know about all these hidden . Without any more major interference from Hera, Hercules grew into a great warrior. Nonetheless, constant interactions with successful free food service workers, oystermen and farmers would have likely influenced Hercules' view of the world. James Hemings, chef to Thomas Jefferson, created the Snow Egg dessert that was re-created at the "Hemings and Hercules" dinner. Did you know that the largest known structure in the universe is not a planet or a star, but a group of galaxies called the Hercules-Corona Borealis Great Wa. Posey would later self-emancipate, one of the few instances of a member of Mount Vernons enslaved community successfully escaping during Washington's lifetime. Source: The Papers of George Washington, Colonial Series, vol. [1]George Washington Parke Custis, Recollections and Private Memoirs of the Life and Character of Washington, ed. . The Hercule name was an invention of the dub and it has been used in most English versions of Dragon Ball Z media. They think: why would he have wanted to leave, when he was working for one of the most important men of that time period and had the opportunity to be at, arguably, the summit of his profession as a cook?" Open 365 days a year, Mount Vernon is located just 15 miles south of Washington DC. Following Alice's death, he may have had another daughter. Unlike the lives of their white contemporaries, the life events of enslaved people are not well recorded in the public record, appearing only as property footnotes in the files of their enslavers, making reconstruction of their lives incredibly difficult. 3. The constellation is visible in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. When Posey begged him in September, 1767 to wait longer for his money . Disney. [23][24] In 2018, Ganeshram published The General's Cook the novel she had been working on prior to the publication of Birthday Cake. Get regular updates from NYT Cooking, with recipe suggestions, cooking tips and shopping advice. Washington argued (privately) that he was a citizen of Virginia, that his presence in Pennsylvania was solely a consequence of Philadelphia's being the temporary national capital, and that the state law should not apply to him. facts about hercules posey. Zeus, Hercules's father and king of the Greek gods, is the brother of Poseidon, the god of the sea. ", Posey's story, like the grand majority of black men and women of his time, was not documented or preserved well through the years. Decatur, Jr., Stephen. Instead, the quest led her to documents about a "Hercules Posey." Posey is the surname of a previous owner of Washington' chef. But through the praise and high regard of people such as Washington's descendent, George Washington Parke Custis, today we know that Posey was considered "'a culinary artiste' and 'dandy', with 'great muscular power' and a 'master spirit', whose 'underlings flew to his command.'". 11 Washington was so distressed . Diaries suggest Washington was a real barbeque fan and cite one as lasting three days. That said, BBC claims knowledge of accounts that detail "meals with each course featuring a dizzying variety among dishes like roasted beef, veal puddings, jellies oyster stews ice cream and seasonal fish. Nutmeg, limes, pineapples, coconuts also made their way to Philadelphia as part of this robust West India Trade, and all were on offer in the city's ports for export, as well as its public markets and many taverns. Edna Lewis(1916 2006) hits the scene cooking up Southern food such as fish gumbo in a way that influences meals across the U.S.[4] Edna was born in Freetown, Va., a small community of emancipated slaves that her grandfather helped to build. "6, Different accounts provide varying reasons for Posey's decision to escape enslavement. And his story is a testament to the standard for presidential dining, even now, but also to Black contributions to American culinary history. 3. Need help with homework? Louis-Philippe, later king of France, visited Mount Vernon in the spring of 1797. During excavation in 2000, remnants of the icehouse of the long-demolished President's House were uncovered. [2] Louis Philippe's secretary estimated the girl's age as 6, but she may have been Hercules's daughter Eve, who was listed in the June 1799 Mount Vernon Slave Census as "a dwarf. Hercules and the other African Americans enslaved by George Washington were ultimately freed in 1801, but Hercules' children were not freed. 2019. www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/edna-lewis. The president celebrated the day in Philadelphia, but it was also a holiday on the Virginia plantation. The vestiges of Hercules Posey's life in Philadelphia remain tantalisingly within reach for visitors who know where to look. Hercules was a "celebrated dandy," in the words of Custis, and the chef kept an equally meticulous kitchen: "Under his iron discipline, wo[e] to his underlings if speck or spot could be discovered on the tables or dressers, or if the utensils did not shine like polished silver. He absconded in 1797 and fled to New York, where he worked as a chef and laborer, and was ultimately manumitted upon Washington's death in 1799. He was sold to George Washington as a teenage "ferryman" in 1767 by a neighbor, John Posey, as payment for a debt. Hercules became the familys head chef, cooking at the forced-labor farm at Mount Vernon, Va., and at the presidents house near the first U.S. capital in Philadelphia, Pa. 277-83. Quotes tagged as "hercules" Showing 1-30 of 33. an chefs. During his time in office, Chef Hercules Posey joined the ranks of the White House kitchen. Posey played for the Major League Baseball. What is known that until 1789 he lived almost all of his . 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial HighwayMount Vernon, Virginia 22121. 11. Post author By ; Post date masked singer judges wearing same clothes 2021; drupal is platform dependent true or false on facts about hercules posey on facts about hercules posey Gradually combine bouillon and milk with onion and spice mixture . With the Washingtons away, they and other domestic servants were assigned as laborers, to pulverize stone, dig brick clay, and grub out honeysuckle. And, where the High Street Market sheds met the Delaware River, the harbour was jammed with trading ships loaded with olive oils from Spain; wines and oranges from Portugal, France and Germany; and tea from China all part of the vast commercial network that made Philadelphia the busiest port on the American continent. Seared whitefish with creamy grits, sweet corn chow chow and poached herring butter sauce. 4. However, the work of the cook was extremely taxing mentally and emotionally. Likely through the help of friends from his time in Philadelphia, Posey ended up in New York, where city directories show that he worked as a cook.13 On May 15, 1812, he died of tuberculosis at age 64.14 He is buried in the Second African Burying Ground in Lower Manhattan. The Washington Library is open to all researchers and scholars, by appointment only. comments in depth regarding Posey, claiming: ", Posey was unique among his peers in that he was famous in his own time and was acknowledged by white society. [4] Alexander, Kerri Lee. 7. as highly accomplished a proficient in the culinary art as could be found in the United States."5. A slave census taken in June 1799, only a few months before George Washington's death, shows that Richmond, in his early twenties, was working at the River Farm, on the outlying part of Mount Vernon, while Eve and Delia, in their teens, were working at the Mansion House.[19][20][3].