Sold – One of Washington’s First Government Officials Gifts His Slaves to His Son

Notley Young was a wealthy Maryland landowner and slaveholder and a friend of George Washington. He gave quite a lot of his land to establish the new Federal city, so the downtown of what is now Washington D.C. could be platted. His son Nicholas was born in 1763 and inherited property and slaves at his father’s death in 1802. In the early years of the District of Columbia, Nicholas served as judge and notary a number of times.

In 1825, ailing himself, Nicholas decided to transfer ownership of some of his slaves to his son. Eventually that son, George Washington Young, would own 69 enslaved persons. In fact, he was recorded as the District of Columbia’s largest slave owner when on April 16, 1862, President Lincoln signed the act of Congress freeing negro slaves in the District of Columbia and directing payment to the slaves’ owners. This was the first Federal law requiring freedom for slaves. Young petitioned for compensation pursuant to the law and received $17,771.85 upon their release, the highest sum paid out.

Autograph Document Signed, August 30, 1825, transferring ownership from father to son and giving the names of 19 slaves. “I, Nicholas Young of the District of Columbia, for and in consideration of the natural love and affection which I have for my son George Washington Young do hereby give and deliver…to my said son George Washington Young the following herein named Negro slaves:  Sophy and infant, James, Primus, William, Lucy, Beck, Charity, Mary and Ellen, Steven, Harriet, Moses, Anny and Jacob, Nicholas, Peter, Frank and Tolly, which herein named slaves I will warrant and defend to my said son George Washington Young…” Nicholas Young’s brother-in-law Peter Casanave has also signed as a witness. Persons with the same given names, and appropriate ages, as at least four of the slaves recorded on this document (Ellen, Lucy, Frank, Charity) were among those listed by Young in 1862 as freed at that time.