Dick Jasper was described as a "labouring man" in the list of enslaved people at Mount Vernon that George Washington compiled in 1786. Six years later in 1792, Jasper was listed as a carter, a worker who drove an animal-powered cart. Jasper was married to Charity, and together the couple had five children that survived past birth. As Charity was owned directly by Washington so were their children. Dick was also owned by Washington which meant the entire family was freed in 1802 under the terms of Washington's will. Dick and his son Morris, who was born after 1799, were among those formerly enslaved by Washington who returned to Mount Vernon in 1835 to work on the New Tomb.1
Notes: 1. "[Diary entry: 18 February 1786]," Founders Online, National Archives; Alexandria Gazette, 11 October 1835.
