Notes
The object pictured here is a simple toy marble. It is made of limestone and polished smooth. While it is always difficult to associate an archaeological item with a singular person, it is possible a toy such as this would have been used if not owned by one of the many enslaved children living and working at the Mansion Farm during George Washington’s lifetime. In 1799, the year of Washington’s death, 28 children under the age of 14 were living and working at the Mansion House Farm. Objects such as this marble offer a small glimpse into the ways these children and their families may have sought to reclaim their humanity in the face of the dehumanizing practice of racialized slavery through the experience of games and play.
Object Type
All Other ArtifactsHas it Been Conserved?
No
Where Was It Found?
Project Site: House for Families [more details]
Material
Manufacturing Technology
Form
Completeness
Date
Country of Origin
Dimensions
16.64mm x 16.58mm x 16.67mm (W x H x L)
Illustration shows object in comparison to the size of a quarter
Weight
6.4 gram(s)
Object Number
1839776
DAACS Number
1839776
Project: House for Families
The structure identified as the “House for Families” on the 1787 Vaughan plan likely housed the majority of the enslaved population living at the Mansion House Farm for much of the second half of the eighteenth century. The building was in existence from circa 1760 until it was demolished in late 1792 or early 1793. The archaeological evidence for the structure consisted of a brick-lined storage cellar (44FX762/40-47) measuring roughly six feet by six feet. Historically the cellar served as a handy trash receptacle once it ceased to be used for its original storage function, and through extensive excavation has yielded an extremely rich assemblage of household refuse. The analysis of these remains offers the opportunity to study important aspects of the daily lives of Mount Vernon's enslaved community.
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