Question

What did george washington request be done to his slaves in his will?

Answer 1

Answer/Explanation: Later in life, just two years before his death, Washington wrote to Lawrence Lewis (1797), “I wish my soul that the legislature of this State could see a policy of gradual abolition of slavery.” George Washington died on December 14, 1799. Although he did not free his slaves during his lifetime, nor did he initiate emancipation plans as president, he privately encouraged those in the Congress to champion the effort through legislative action. He personally resolved the issue by providing for the emancipation of his slaves in his will. In addition to freedom, he left detailed instructions for their care and support of the newly freed people and records indicate that some lived at Mount Vernon as pensioners into the 1830s. Of the 316 slaves living at Mount Vernon in 1799, 123 belonged to George Washington and those 123 slaves were freed on January 1, 1801.

Answer 2

In his will, written several months before his death in December 1799, George Washington left directions for the emancipation of all the slaves that he owned, after the death of Martha Washington. Washington was not the only Virginian to make provisions to free his slaves during this period.