During the American Revolution, 19 of Jefferson’s slaves managed to escape and flee to British lines. The slave fugitives claimed freedom or joined family members who were already living in Britain at the time.
It is believed that some of them may have even helped contribute to the Patriot cause by providing intelligence about enemy movements. In spite of their efforts, all but one of the escaped slaves was recaptured and returned back to Jefferon’s plantation eventually.
This story serves as a reminder that even though slavery was abolished in America more than 200 years ago, it still has far-reaching consequences today.

What Happened To The Slaves At Monticello?
During the American Revolution, 19 of Jefferson’s slaves escaped to British lines. They claimed freedom or joined family members who had already fled to the other side of the conflict.
The escape routes were often hidden and difficult to find, making it a risky endeavor for those seeking refuge. Slaves risked everything in order to gain their freedom and carve out a new life for themselves.
The story of these brave individuals highlights the strength and resilience of enslaved people during one of history’s most tumultuous periods
Slaves Used Escape Routes
Monticello was the home of Thomas Jefferson, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Slaves used escape routes to freedom over the years and many remain unknown because they were not documented or their stories have been lost over time.
The Monticello Project is dedicated to researching these escapes and preserving information about them for future generations. One such slave, Denmark Vesey, attempted an uprising in 1822 but was caught before he could carry out his plan. Today, there are efforts underway to honor those who escaped slavery at Monticello by putting their stories on display as part of a museum exhibit
Escaped To Claim Freedom Or Join Family
In 1796, the last of the slaves at Monticello— numbering just over 50 people — successfully escaped to join family members living free in North Carolina.
Many others followed suit over the next several years, eventually freeing themselves and their families completely. Today, descendants of these enslaved people continue to fight for recognition and restitution from the plantation’s current owners.
The story of Monticello’s enslaved population is a reminder that even after slavery was abolished, many black Americans still struggled to achieve freedom and equality. Their bravery continues to inspire generations today as they work towards creating a more inclusive society for all
During The American Revolution, 19 Of Jefferson’s Slaves Fled To British Lines
During the American Revolution, 19 of Jefferson’s slaves fled to British lines. This event has been used by some as evidence that slavery was not a bad thing, but historians now agree that it was definitely an ordeal for these slaves.
Some believe that this shows how dangerous and unstable life could be during those times, while others see it as proof of the strength and courage of these enslaved people. What happened to these slaves is still unknown today- their story only adds to the mythology and folklore surrounding Thomas Jefferson and his role in American history.
Whether you view this event with admiration or horror, it cannot be denied that it played a significant role in shaping America into what we know today
Did anyone enslaved at Monticello run away?
One of the most talked about topics at Monticello National Historic Site is whether or not any slaves ran away. This is a difficult question to answer because we don’t know what happened to them after they escaped. Some historians believe that some of the slaves who fled were caught and returned, while others think that they made it all the way to freedom.
Slaves Often Run Away
Slaves ran away for many reasons, but the most common was to escape from their owner. Almost half of the slaves who ran away were hired from other owners. This means that they had a previous relationship with their new owner and felt like they could not tolerate the conditions or treatment at Monticello.
Slave ran away for many reasons
Slave runaways almost always had one main reason: They did not want to stay on plantation and were unhappy with their situation there. Almost half of all slave runaways were actually successful in escaping and made it out into the free world. This shows how desperate some enslaved people were to get off of this brutal institution.
Almost half of slaves who ran away belonged to other owners
Interestingly, almost half (47%) of all slave runaways belonged to other owners than Jefferson himself- which speaks volumes about his ownership style and willingness to hire outside help when needed rather than rely solely on his own workforce.
.Almost half escaped successfully
How many slaves did Jefferson own at his death?
At his death, Jefferson owned over 200 slaves. This number is significant because it represents a large percentage of the population at the time. It also shows just how much power he had as one of America’s founding fathers.
- Jefferson owned between 165 and 225 slaves at his death. About three-fifths of his human property was kept on his Virginia plantations, with Monticello holding the majority. Slaves were used to work on Jefferson’s farms.
- During the 18th century, owning slaves was a common practice in America. It was seen as an important part of society and it was believed that slavery helped to keep people in line and prevented them from rebelling against their masters or other members of society.
- Slavery wasn’t abolished until 1865, which means that Jefferson’s slaves remained under bondage even after he died.
Who inherited Monticello when Jefferson died?
Jefferson was a very important man in American history. He helped write the Declaration of Independence, and he also designed Monticello – an impressive home that is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
When Jefferson died, his wife Martha inherited all of his property. However, she left Monticello to her two sons, Thomas and John Quincy Adams. After Thomas died in 1848, John Quincy Adams took over as head of the family and eventually inherited Monticello too.
- When Jefferson died, he left behind Monticello, a large plantation in Virginia that was valued at over $1 million. Because of the state of the property at the time of his death, it was sold off to several different individuals.
- One of Jefferson’s daughters, Martha Randolph Custis JeffersOon inherited Monticello when her father passed away. She later sold it to Dr. James Monroe for $5,000 in 1826.
- The land and mansion were not in good condition when Martha Randolph CustisJefferson donated it to Washington College (now George Washington University)in 1802 as part of her will. The college used the land until 1902 when they finally gave it back to Mrs JeffersOn after years of negotiations and legal battles with her descendants
- In 1979 ,the State Of Virginia purchased all remaining rights from Mr LevY who had been leasing Monticello since 1927
- At this point ownership legally resides with The Commonwealth Of Virginia.
How old was Sally Hemings when Jefferson started sleeping with her?
Sally Hemings was probably about 15 years old when Jefferson started sleeping with her. Their relationship is characterized as being a sexual one, although it’s not clear how long they had been involved before that point.
Hemings likely came from a slave-owning family and may have been owned by Jefferson himself at some point in the past. There’s no real consensus on what happened to Sally Hemings after she left Jefferson’s household – some say she died while others believe she moved away or changed her name altogether.
Did Peter Jefferson own slaves?
Yes, Thomas Jefferson’s parents owned slaves. This had a huge impact on his future as Thomas Jefferson was influenced by the lifestyle of those around him.
The Jeffersons were one of the wealthiest households in Virginia during this time period and their wealth is reflected in Thomas Jefferson’s writings and speeches.
Why did Martha Washington dislike Thomas Jefferson?
Martha Washington was angry with Thomas Jefferson because he and his party became anti-federalist. Washington attempted to stay neutral, but Martha Washington was not happy.
She blamed Thomas Jefferson for the death of her son George Washington Parke Custis, which upset him even more. In 1796, she refused to attend a dinner in honor of Thomas Jefferson that he had arranged for her guests
What happened to slaves after they were freed?
After slaves were freed, they faced many challenges. Many of them were left without jobs or homes, and had to start from scratch. Others were forced into new forms of slavery, such as prostitution or working in factories.
Emancipated Slaves Fled
When slaves were emancipated, they had to make a choice about where they wanted to live and work. Some chose to stay in their home communities while others migrated to new areas. Many of these freedmen became wage laborers, which allowed them greater opportunities for economic advancement than if they had remained enslaved.
Became Wage Laborers
Emancipated slaves often found themselves competing with slave owners for jobs in the free labor marketplaces of the North and West. They quickly learned how to read and write, bargain shrewdly for wages, organize into unions, and demand better working conditions from employers.
Made Choices Forselves About Where They Lived And Worked
Despite facing many challenges after emancipation–including violence and discrimination–slaves made choices that enabled them eventually gain social mobility within American society as well as improve their living standards materially speaking
To Recap
The Monticello plantation was the site of a large and important slaveholding operation during the 18th century. Many slaves lived and worked on the plantation, and over time their stories have been preserved through documents, artwork, and other artifacts.
Today, visitors can explore Monticello’s historic buildings and grounds to learn more about this critical period in American history.
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