Though hundreds of people were enslaved at Monticello, many of the details of their lives are lost to history. Enslaved African Americans were denied access to education and literacy, and their lives went largely unrecorded by white historians for centuries. Decades of archaeological, documentary, and oral research helped to uncover some of the histories of those held captive at Monticello.
A searchable database of information on all known individuals enslaved at Thomas Jefferson's plantations
Bartlet (b. 1786), Enslaved Nailer
Ben (b. 1785), Enslaved Nailer
Critta Hemings Bowles* (1769–1850), Enslaved Domestic Servant
Cary (b. ca. 1785–sold 1803), Charcoal-burner, Nailer
Brown Colbert (1785–after 1831), Enslaved Nailer
Burwell Colbert* (1783–1862), Enslaved Nailer
Davy (b. 1785), Enslaved Charcoal-burner, Nailer, Sawyer
Dolly (b. 1794), Enslaved Weaver
Eliza (b. 1805), Enslaved Quiller
Hear the stories of the descendants of Monticello's enslaved community
Jupiter Evans* (1743–1800), Enslaved Coachman, Hostler, Stonecutter, Valet
Joseph Fossett* (1780–1858), Enslaved Blacksmith, Nailer
Frank (1757-1809), Enslaved Charcoal-burner
Barnaby Gillette (1783–after 1827), Enslaved Cook, Nailer
Agnes Gillette (1798–1817), Enslaved Spinner
Israel Gillette (1800–c. 1879), Enslaved Carder (links to page in the Getting Word African American Oral History Project)
George Granger, Sr. (1730–1799), Enslaved Overseer
George Granger, Jr., (1759–1799), Enslaved Blacksmith, Manager, Nailer
Isaac Granger Jefferson* (1775–1846), Enslaved Blacksmith, Nailer, Tinsmith
Ursula Granger (1737–1800), Enslaved Cook, Dairymaid, Laundress, Nursemaid
Elizabeth (Betty) Hemings* (1735–1807), Enslaved Domestic Servant
Eston Hemings* (1808-1856), Enslaved Joiner
Harriet Hemings* (1801–after 1822), Enslaved Spinner
Madison Hemings* (1805–1877), Enslaved Joiner
Nancy Hemings (1761–post 1827), Enslaved Brewer, Cook, Weaver
Peter Hemings* (1770–after 1834), Enslaved Brewer, Cook, Spinner, Tailor
Sally Hemings* (b. 1773–1835), Enslaved Domestic Servant
John Hemmings* (1776–1833), Enslaved Carpenter, Master Joiner
Priscilla Hemmings (ca.1776–1830), Enslaved Nursemaid
Cretia Hern (b. 1779), Enslaved Spinner
David Hern, Jr. (1784–after 1829), Enslaved Blacksmith, Charcoal-burner, Nailer, Wagoner
Mary Hern* (b. 1780), Enslaved Weaver
Moses Hern (1779–after 1832), Enslaved Blacksmith, Field Laborer, Nailer
John Hern (b. 1800), Enslaved Carder
Randall Hern (b. 1802), Enslaved Carder
Ben Hix (1784–1799), Enslaved Nailer
Kit Hix (b. 1786), Enslaved Nailer
James Hubbard* (1783–after 1812), Enslaved Charcoal-burner, Nailer, Stonecutter
Phil Hubbard (1786–1819), Enslaved Nailer, Sawyer
Robert Hughes
Wormley Hughes* (1781–1858), Enslaved Coachman, Gardener, Hostler
Isabel (1800–1822), Enslaved Spinner
Isaiah (b. 1800), Enslaved Carder
John (b. 1785), Enslaved Nailer
Lewis (1758/60–1822), Enslaved Carpenter, Field Laborer, Joiner
Lewis (b. 1788), Enslaved Nailer
Maria (b. 1798), Enslaved Spinner
Nanny (b. 1799), Enslaved Spinner
Sally (b. 1797), Enslaved Weaver
Shepherd (b. 1782), Enslaved Nailer
Suck (b. 1758), Enslaved Worker
Videos about individuals enslaved at Monticello
Mary Hemings Bell, an older sister of Sally Hemings, had a long-term relationship with her owner and came to be seen in Charlottesville as his common-law wife.
Harriet Hemings, the daughter of Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson, is allowed to leave Monticello.
While Jefferson often gets the credit, it was enslaved chefs like James Hemings and his successors, who created Monticello's famed "half Virginian, half French" cuisine.
Ursula Granger, a Valuable Cook
The Life of Nance Hemings - an Enslaved Monticello Weaver
A Blacksmith Slips Away - Joseph Fossett
A Enslaved Mother Leaves Monticello
Wormley Hughes - Master of Many Trades
The Life of Sally Hemings