The Old Plantation, attributed to John Rose, Beaufort County, South Carolina, probably 1785–90.
On Mulberry Row, enslaved people, free artisans, and indentured servants worked as tinsmiths, nailers, sawyers, carpenters, joiners, charcoal-burners, spinners, weavers, hostlers, and domestic servants. The work of dozens of men, women, and children supported Jefferson’s elite household, allowed him to build and renovate his house, and carry out agricultural and industrial activities on the entire 5,000-acre Monticello plantation.
Agriculture on the Plantation
Industry on the Plantation
Work at Monticello
At Monticello, the majority of the people Jefferson enslaved labored in the fields. Skilled enslaved workers practiced trades, such as blacksmithing, cooking, and woodworking, or served in the house. Jefferson hired free white workers to meet his particular needs, including overseers, blacksmiths, house joiners, and bricklayers.