Christopher Sheels
Encyclopedia
Christopher Sheels was a "dower" slave at George Washington
's Virginia plantation, Mount Vernon
, who was owned by the estate of Martha Washington
's first husband, Daniel Parke Custis
. As widow, Martha had the lifetime use of more than 100 Custis slaves (including Sheels), hence the term "dower."
, Austin, Giles, Paris, Moll, Christopher Sheels, William Lee
— brought to New York City
in 1789 to work in the first presidential residence. Following the transfer of the national capital to Philadelphia in 1790, he was among the 9 — Oney Judge
, Austin, Giles, Paris, Moll, Hercules
, Richmond, Christopher Sheels, "Postilion" Joe (Richardson) — to work in the President's House
. He took the place of his uncle, William Lee
, as the President's "body servant."
Pennsylvania
had begun an abolition of slavery in 1780, and prohibited non-residents from holding slaves in the state longer than 6 months. If held beyond that period, the state's Gradual Abolition Act
gave slaves the legal power to free themselves. Washington argued (privately) that his presence in Pennsylvania was solely a consequence of Philadelphia's being the temporary seat of the federal government, and that the state law should not apply to him. On the advice of his attorney general, Edmund Randolph, he systematically rotated the President's House slaves in and out of the state to prevent their establishing a 6-month continuous residency. This rotation was itself a violation of Pennsylvania law, but the President's actions were not challenged.
As the first 6-month deadline approached in May 1791, Martha Washington took Sheels and Oney Judge
on a two-day trip to Trenton, New Jersey
, interrupting their Pennsylvania residencies.
In September 1799, Washington discovered a note at Mount Vernon outlining an escape plan for Sheels and his fiancee. (The note proves that Sheels could read.) Washington foiled the escape. Three months later, Sheels was at his bedside when Washington died on December 14, 1799.
As a "dower," Sheels was not one of the 124 slaves freed under the terms of George Washington's will. Following Martha Washington's 1802 death, he was one of the 153 "dower" slaves inherited by her 4 grandchildren, but it is not known which.
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
's Virginia plantation, Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon
The name Mount Vernon is a dedication to the English Vice-Admiral Edward Vernon. It was first applied to Mount Vernon, the Virginia estate of George Washington, the first President of the United States...
, who was owned by the estate of Martha Washington
Martha Washington
Martha Dandridge Custis Washington was the wife of George Washington, the first president of the United States. Although the title was not coined until after her death, Martha Washington is considered to be the first First Lady of the United States...
's first husband, Daniel Parke Custis
Daniel Parke Custis
Daniel Parke Custis was a wealthy Virginia planter whose widow, Martha, married George Washington.He was the son of John Custis , a powerful member of Virginia's Governor's Council, and Frances Parke Custis...
. As widow, Martha had the lifetime use of more than 100 Custis slaves (including Sheels), hence the term "dower."
Presidential Household
He was among the 7 slaves — Oney JudgeOney Judge
Oney "Ona" Judge, later Oney Judge Staines , was a slave at George Washington's plantation, Mount Vernon in Virginia. A servant in Washington's presidential households beginning in 1789, she escaped to freedom in 1796 and made her way to New Hampshire, where she lived the rest of her life...
, Austin, Giles, Paris, Moll, Christopher Sheels, William Lee
William Lee (valet)
William Lee , also known as Billy Lee or Will Lee, was George Washington's personal servant and the only one of Washington's slaves freed outright by Washington in his will...
— brought to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1789 to work in the first presidential residence. Following the transfer of the national capital to Philadelphia in 1790, he was among the 9 — Oney Judge
Oney Judge
Oney "Ona" Judge, later Oney Judge Staines , was a slave at George Washington's plantation, Mount Vernon in Virginia. A servant in Washington's presidential households beginning in 1789, she escaped to freedom in 1796 and made her way to New Hampshire, where she lived the rest of her life...
, Austin, Giles, Paris, Moll, Hercules
Hercules (chef)
Hercules was the head cook at George Washington's Virginia plantation Mount Vernon in the 1780s. In November 1790, he was brought to Philadelphia to work in the kitchen of the President's House...
, Richmond, Christopher Sheels, "Postilion" Joe (Richardson) — to work in the President's House
President's House (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
The President's House in Philadelphia at 524-30 Market Street was the third Presidential mansion. It was occupied by President George Washington from November 1790 to March 1797 and President John Adams from March 1797 to May 1800....
. He took the place of his uncle, William Lee
William Lee (valet)
William Lee , also known as Billy Lee or Will Lee, was George Washington's personal servant and the only one of Washington's slaves freed outright by Washington in his will...
, as the President's "body servant."
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
had begun an abolition of slavery in 1780, and prohibited non-residents from holding slaves in the state longer than 6 months. If held beyond that period, the state's Gradual Abolition Act
An Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery
An Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery, passed by the Pennsylvania legislature on 1 March 1780, was the first attempt by a government in the Western Hemisphere to begin an abolition of slavery....
gave slaves the legal power to free themselves. Washington argued (privately) that his presence in Pennsylvania was solely a consequence of Philadelphia's being the temporary seat of the federal government, and that the state law should not apply to him. On the advice of his attorney general, Edmund Randolph, he systematically rotated the President's House slaves in and out of the state to prevent their establishing a 6-month continuous residency. This rotation was itself a violation of Pennsylvania law, but the President's actions were not challenged.
As the first 6-month deadline approached in May 1791, Martha Washington took Sheels and Oney Judge
Oney Judge
Oney "Ona" Judge, later Oney Judge Staines , was a slave at George Washington's plantation, Mount Vernon in Virginia. A servant in Washington's presidential households beginning in 1789, she escaped to freedom in 1796 and made her way to New Hampshire, where she lived the rest of her life...
on a two-day trip to Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton is the capital of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Trenton had a population of 84,913...
, interrupting their Pennsylvania residencies.
Mount Vernon
Sheels was permanently returned to Mount Vernon by January 1792, and worked as a waiter, serving the family meals. Washington returned to Virginia in March 1797, following his second term as President.In September 1799, Washington discovered a note at Mount Vernon outlining an escape plan for Sheels and his fiancee. (The note proves that Sheels could read.) Washington foiled the escape. Three months later, Sheels was at his bedside when Washington died on December 14, 1799.
As a "dower," Sheels was not one of the 124 slaves freed under the terms of George Washington's will. Following Martha Washington's 1802 death, he was one of the 153 "dower" slaves inherited by her 4 grandchildren, but it is not known which.
See also
- Samuel Osgood House (New York City)Samuel Osgood House (New York City)The Samuel Osgood House, also known as Walter Franklin House, was a house at 1 Cherry Street in Manhattan. It served as the first Presidential Mansion, housing George Washington, his family, and household staff, from April 23, 1789 until February 23, 1790, during the 21 months that New York City...
— First Presidential Mansion. - Alexander Macomb House (New York City)Alexander Macomb House (New York City)The Alexander Macomb House at 39-41 Broadway in Manhattan served as the second presidential mansion. President George Washington occupied it from February 23 to August 31, 1790, during the two-year period when New York City was the national capital....
— Second Presidential Mansion. - President's House (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)President's House (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)The President's House in Philadelphia at 524-30 Market Street was the third Presidential mansion. It was occupied by President George Washington from November 1790 to March 1797 and President John Adams from March 1797 to May 1800....
— Third Presidential Mansion.