15. Slaves Learned Skilled Trades
George Washington wanted some slaves to learn a skilled trade. When chosen, the slave could become a carpenter, distiller, blacksmith, textile worker, gardener, dairy maid, groomer, or coppers. Washington sometimes hired a white laborer, who would come in and teach the slave a specific trade either at the gristmill-distillery complex or Mansion House Farm. All these trades were necessary for Washington’s life, and to make everything easier on the pocketbook, slaves would provide all the services.
In 1799, Mount Vernon had the largest distillery in the nation and produced about 11,000 gallons of whiskey. The slaves combined rye, wheat, corn, and malted barley to make whiskey. Because horses were the primary way of travel, groomers were needed to take care of the horses. The textile slaves made all the clothing for other slaves while the carpenters repaired the fences, coffins, buildings, and everything else around the plantation. The blacksmiths made the tools for everyone living on the estate and the dairymaids focused on milking the cows and making cheese and other dairy products.