Well written (4.5*) history of first occupants of the White House that brought slaves with them, enlightening. Left with the impression that, at least some of the time, slaves were treated like (very) low level employees, other times like trusted (to a point) companions and family members. Slavery in the US was a very mixed bag, which is not a defense, just part of the quest to understand ( )

Ties that Bound: Founding First Ladies and Slaves by Marie Jenkins Schwartz discusses the owner/slave relationship of the families of the first three U.S. Presidents from Virginia, with special reference to the women: Martha Washington, Martha Wayles Jefferson (wife) and Martha Jefferson Randolph (daughter), and Dolley Madison and their relationships, especially with their personal maids. The relationships were more complex than might be recognized; the white female owners were in daily contact with their slaves and often saw and dealt with them more often than with their own husbands. As a whole, the First Ladies did not acknowledge that their slaves were human beings who might have feelings. Although slaves were not free, sometimes they were able to negotiate with their owners since they performed jobs necessary for the running of the plantation; this was particularly true of the Hemingses, who were slave relatives of the Jeffersons.

I found it interesting that both Martha Washington and Dolley Madison were more conservative concerning freeing slaves than their husbands were. Martha freed George's slaves following his death since he specified it in his will but did not free her own slaves. James Madison did not free any of his slaves in his will although there is speculation that he may have left instructions to do so which were not obeyed. Dolley did not free any slaves; it was her son, Payne Todd, who caused the Madisons great grief and expense during their lives, who freed 15 slaves (and gave them a little money) upon his death.

Dr. Schwartz provides numerous endnotes although the book can be enjoyably read without referring to them. Often she will state why a person, either slaveholder or slave, might have done or thought something since evidence is lacking. In each chapter, she gives the complete bibliographic information the first time she uses a source; this is particularly helpful. (Some scholars only provide this information the first time a source is used for the entire book.)

Highly recommended ( )