| First Name | Joe |
| Surnames | |
| Gender | Male |
| Birth Information | 1764 Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, page 12 |
| Death Information | 1781, Elk Hill Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, page 29 |
| Mother | Sue Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, page 12 |
| Thomas Jefferson documents the people he enslaves across his properties, noting if someone is engaged in agriculture, a tradesperson, or is unable to work. 74 people are recorded at Elk Hil. | |
| Role | Enumerated |
| Listed With | SuePhoebe (1759-1782)Betty (1762-1774)Patty (b. 1766)Sanco (b. 1768)Nanny (b. 1771)Sue (1773-1781) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 17 Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, page 18 |
| 34 people at Elk Hill are transferred to Thomas Jefferson in the division of his father’s estate. | |
| From Enslaver | John Wayles (1715-1773) |
| To Enslaver | Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) |
| Role | Sold Or Transferred |
| Listed With | SueRobin (b. 1757)Phoebe (1759-1782)Betty (1762-1774)Patty (b. 1766)Sanco (b. 1768)Nanny (b. 1771)Sue (1773-1781) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 11 |
| Eight people enslaved by Thomas Jefferson escape from Elk Hill during a British invasion. | |
| Role | Freedom Seeker |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 29 Jefferson’s Statement of Losses to the British at His Cumberland Plantations in 1781, [27 January 1783] Thomas Jefferson to William Gordon, 16 July 1788 |
| Five people return to the plantation at Elk Hill after escaping during a British invasion. | |
| Role | Traveler |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 29 Jefferson’s Statement of Losses to the British at His Cumberland Plantations in 1781, [27 January 1783] Thomas Jefferson to William Gordon, 16 July 1788 |
© 2026 Thomas Jefferson Foundation. Getting Word: African American History at Monticello is supported by the Mellon Foundation