| First Name | Betty |
| Alternate Names | Bess Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, page 28 |
| Old Betty Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, page 46 |
|
| Surnames | |
| Gender | Female |
| Birth Information | 1747 Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, page 129 |
| Thomas Jefferson documents the people he enslaves across his properties, noting if someone is engaged in agriculture, a tradesperson, or is unable to work. Twelve people are recorded at Poplar Forest. Marked as "a labourer in the ground." | |
| Role | Enumerated |
| Occupation: | Farm Laborer |
| Listed With | Will (b. 1752)Hall (1767-1819)Dilcy (b. 1769)Suckey (1771-1811) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, page 16 |
| Thomas Jefferson records the distribution of blankets and beds to people at Poplar Forest and Dunlora. | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Listed With | Will (b. 1752)Hall (1767-1819) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 19 |
| Six people at Poplar Forest are transferred to Thomas Jefferson in the division of his father’s estate. Marked as " a labourer in the ground." | |
| From Enslaver | John Wayles (1715-1773) |
| To Enslaver | Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) |
| Role | Sold Or Transferred |
| Occupation: | Farm Laborer |
| Listed With | Will (b. 1752)Hall (1767-1819)Dilcy (b. 1769)Suckey (1771-1811) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 11 |
| Thomas Jefferson documents the people he enslaves across his properties. 35 people are recorded at Poplar Forest. | |
| Role | Enumerated |
| Listed With | Lucy (b. 1747)Will (b. 1752)Hall (1767-1819)Dilcy (b. 1769)Suckey (1771-1811)Caesar (1774-1818)Billey (1777-1794)Cuffy (1779-1796) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 24 |
| Bowling Clark records a list of people enslaved by Thomas Jefferson at Poplar Forest, organized by family groups. | |
| Role | Enumerated |
| Listed With | Will (b. 1752)Hall (1767-1819)Caesar (1774-1818)Billey (1777-1794)Cuffy (1779-1796) |
| Sources | Bowling Clark to Thomas Jefferson, [17 Aug. 1792] |
| Thomas Jefferson documents the people he enslaves across his properties and where they will be settled the following year. 49 people are recorded in Bedford County. | |
| Role | Enumerated |
| Listed With | Hall (1767-1819)Caesar (1774-1818)Cuffy (1779-1796) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 30 |
| 64 people participate in the wheat harvest at Shadwell, with each person assigned a role as cradler, reaper, stacker, or gatherer. Assigned as gatherer | |
| Role | Laborer |
| Occupation: | Farm Laborer |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 46 |
| Thomas Jefferson documents the people he enslaves in Bedford County from late 1798 to early 1799. | |
| Role | Enumerated |
| Listed With | Hall (1767-1819)Caesar (1774-1818) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 57 |
| Thomas Jefferson documents the people he enslaves in Bedford County. | |
| Role | Enumerated |
| Listed With | Hall (1767-1819)Caesar (1774-1818) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 60 |
| Thomas Jefferson documents people living at Poplar Forest. | |
| Role | Enumerated |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 129 |
© 2026 Thomas Jefferson Foundation. Getting Word: African American History at Monticello is supported by the Mellon Foundation