Existing comment:
Overseer's Quarters:
Because of his extended absences from Mount Vernon, George Washington relied on his overseers to help keep his estates running smoothly day-to-day. Each of Washington's five farms had its own overseer who managed free and enslaved labor, supervised livestock and crops, and submitted weekly work reports. In 1799, Mansion House overseer Roger Farrell also agreed to supervise the annual harvest of fish, keep Washington supplied with mutton, lamb, veal, and firewood, and repair fences around the estate, among other tasks. In return, Farrell received an annual wage of $133.33 plus "board, bed lodging, and washing." |