| First Name | Isabel |
| Surnames | Hern Getting Word: Hern Family |
| Gender | Female |
| Birth Information | ca. 1758 Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, page 128 |
| Death Information | 1819, Monticello Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, page 130 |
| Thomas Jefferson documents the people he enslaves across his properties, noting if someone is engaged in agriculture, a tradesperson, or is unable to work. Eigtheen people are recorded at Dunlora. Marked as "a labourer in the ground." | |
| Role | Enumerated |
| Occupation: | Farm Laborer |
| Listed With | Ned |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 17 |
| Thomas Jefferson records the distribution of blankets and beds to people at Poplar Forest and Dunlora. | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 19 |
| 30 people at Indian Camp 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 | LondySarah (d. 1781)NedAmy (b. 1756)Lewis (1760-1822)Sarah (b. 1764)PegPhoebeFrank (b. 1764)Betty (b. 1767)Lucy (b. 1769) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 11 |
| Thomas Jefferson documents the people he enslaves across his properties. He records 129 people in Albemarle County, but only 128 names are visible on the manuscript. | |
| Role | Enumerated |
| Listed With | David Hern Sr. (b. 1755)James Hern (b. 1776)Moses Hern (b. 1779)Patty Hern (1781-1806) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 24 |
| Thomas Jefferson documents the people he enslaves across his properties and where they will be settled the following year. 64 people are recorded at Monticello. | |
| Role | Enumerated |
| Listed With | James Hern (b. 1776)Edith Hern Fossett (1787-1854)Aggy Hern (1789-1815)Lilly Hern Davis (b. 1791)Amy (b. 1756) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 30 |
| Thomas Jefferson calculates alottments for clothing and other supplies to people, with quantity determined by age and size. This includes linen, cloth, thread, stockings, blankets, beds, and shoes. | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Listed With | James Hern (b. 1776)Edith Hern Fossett (1787-1854)Lilly Hern Davis (b. 1791)Amy Hern (b. 1793) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 43 |
| Clothing and textiles are distributed to enslaved and hired persons, inlucding linen, wool, cotton, stockings, shoes, blankets, and beds. | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Listed With | Edith Hern Fossett (1787-1854)Aggy Hern (1789-1815)Lilly Hern Davis (b. 1791)Amy Hern (b. 1793)Thruston Hern (b. 1795) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 49 |
| Bread is distributed to enslaved people and hired workers. The source material organizes people into lists by overseer. Listed under Hugh Petit. | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Listed With | James Hern (b. 1776)Edith Hern Fossett (1787-1854)Aggy Hern (1789-1815)Lilly Hern Davis (b. 1791)Amy Hern (b. 1793) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 43 |
| 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 records distribution of fish. | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Listed With | David Hern Sr. (b. 1755)Edith Hern Fossett (1787-1854)Aggy Hern (1789-1815)Lilly Hern Davis (b. 1791)Amy Hern (b. 1793)Thruston Hern (b. 1795) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 53 |
| Bread is distributed to enslaved people and hired workers listed under overseer Hugh Petit. | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Occupation: | Farm Laborer |
| Listed With | David Hern Sr. (b. 1755)Moses Hern (b. 1779)David Hern Jr. (b. 1784)Patty Hern (1781-1806)Aggy Hern (1789-1815)Lilly Hern Davis (b. 1791)Amy Hern (b. 1793) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 50 |
| Fish and other rations are distributed to people living on the Monticello mountain. | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Listed With | David Hern Sr. (b. 1755)Patty Hern (1781-1806)Aggy Hern (1789-1815)Lilly Hern Davis (b. 1791)Amy Hern (b. 1793) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 51 |
| Linen, wool, stockings, blankets, beds, and shoes are distributed to 134 people enslaved or hired by Thomas Jefferson. | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Listed With | Edith Hern Fossett (1787-1854)Aggy Hern (1789-1815)Lilly Hern Davis (b. 1791)Amy Hern (b. 1793)Thruston Hern (b. 1795) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 52 |
| Bread is distributed to people living on the Monticello mountain. | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Listed With | David Hern Sr. (b. 1755)Patty Hern (1781-1806)Edith Hern Fossett (1787-1854)Lilly Hern Davis (b. 1791)Amy Hern (b. 1793)Thruston Hern (b. 1795) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 52 |
| Thomas Jefferson documents the people he enslaves at Monticello from late 1798 to early 1799. | |
| Role | Enumerated |
| Listed With | David Hern Sr. (b. 1755)James Hern (b. 1776)Moses Hern (b. 1779)Patty Hern (1781-1806)David Hern Jr. (b. 1784)Edith Hern Fossett (1787-1854)Aggy Hern (1789-1815)Lilly Hern Davis (b. 1791)Amy Hern (b. 1793)Thruston Hern (b. 1795)Indridge Hern (b. 1797) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 57 |
| Thomas Jefferson records the distribution of fish and beef to people at Monticello. | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Listed With | David Hern Sr. (b. 1755)Aggy Hern (1789-1815)Lilly Hern Davis (b. 1791)Amy Hern (b. 1793)Thruston Hern (b. 1795)Indridge Hern (b. 1797)Thrimston Hern (b. 1799) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 56 |
| Thomas Jefferson records the distribution of fish and beef rations. | |
| Role | Receivies Provisions |
| Listed With | David Hern Sr. (b. 1755)Aggy Hern (1789-1815)Lilly Hern Davis (b. 1791)Amy Hern (b. 1793)Thruston Hern (b. 1795)Indridge Hern (b. 1797) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 57 |
| Several people are not assigned to work in the grain harvest due to illness. | |
| Role | Ill Or Injured |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 58 |
| Linen, wool, stockings, blankets, beds, and shoes are distributed to people enslaved or hired by Thomas Jefferson | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Listed With | David Hern Sr. (b. 1755)Aggy Hern (1789-1815)Lilly Hern Davis (b. 1791)Amy Hern (b. 1793)Thruston Hern (b. 1795)Indridge Hern (b. 1797)Thrimston Hern (b. 1799) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 55 |
| People work in the crop harvest. Assigned as binder | |
| Role | Laborer |
| Occupation: | Farm Laborer |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 58 |
| Thomas Jefferson records the distribution of linen, wool, stockings, blankets, beds, and shoes to people. | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Listed With | Aggy Hern (1789-1815)Lilly Hern Davis (b. 1791)Amy Hern (b. 1793)Thruston Hern (b. 1795)Indridge Hern (b. 1797)Thrimston Hern (b. 1799) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 58a |
| 47 people are leased from Thomas Jefferson to John H. Craven | |
| Role | Hired |
| Listed With | Aggy Hern (1789-1815)Lilly Hern Davis (b. 1791)Amy Hern (b. 1793)Thruston Hern (b. 1795)Indridge Hern (b. 1797) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 60 |
| Thomas Jefferson records a schedule for the distribution of blankets to people from 1808 through 1810. On 1810 list. | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Listed With | David Hern Sr. (b. 1755)Thrimston Hern (b. 1799)Lovilo Hern (1801-1816) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 137 |
| Total pounds, possibly of ham, distributed as rations for people at Monticello Farm in 1810. | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Listed With | David Hern Sr. (b. 1755) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 135 |
| Thomas Jefferson documents the distribution of sifters to people. | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 143 |
| Bread is distributed to people living at the “farm” at Monticello. | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Listed With | David Hern Sr. (b. 1755)Indridge Hern (b. 1797)Thrimston Hern (b. 1799)Beverly Hern (b. 1800) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 134 |
| Thomas Jefferson calculates alottments for clothing and other supplies to people, with quantity determined by age and size. This includes Irish linen, coats, overalls, callimanco, flannel, bearskin, and stockings. | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Listed With | David Hern Sr. (b. 1755)Indridge Hern (b. 1797)Thrimston Hern (b. 1799)Lovilo Hern (1801-1816) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 136 |
| Thomas Jefferson documents the distribution of hats to people. | |
| Role | Receivies Provisions |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 143 |
| Thomas Jefferson records schedule for “rotation” of blankets and beds to people between 1811 through 1819. Isabel's name crossed out. On blanket list for "1813. 16. 19" | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 142 |
| Thomas Jefferson records schedule for “rotation” of blankets and beds to people between 1811 through 1819. Isabel's name crossed out. On bed list for "1811. 14. 7" | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 142 |
| Thomas Jefferson records schedule for “rotation” of blankets and beds to people between 1811 through 1819. Isabel's name crossed out. On bed list for "1813. 16. 9" | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 142 |
| Thomas Jefferson distributes summer clothing. | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 136 |
| Thomas Jefferson records the distribution of linen, wool, blankets, beds, hats, and sifters to people. | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Listed With | David Hern Sr. (b. 1755)Thrimston Hern (b. 1799)Lovilo Hern (1801-1816) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 139 Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 140 |
| Thomas Jefferson records the distribution of summer clothing to people. | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 139 |
| Thomas Jefferson records the distribution of shirts, plains, woolen, blankets, hats, beds, and socks to people. | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 144 Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 145 |
| Thomas Jefferson records the distribution of shirting, woolen, blankets, beds, hose, and hats to people. | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 146 Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 147 |
| Bread is distributed to people living at the “farm” at Monticello. | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 148 |
| Thomas Jefferson records the distribution of wool, shirts, socks, blankets, and beds to people. | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 150 Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 151 |
| Thomas Jefferson records the distribution of woollen, shirting, blankets, beds, socks, and hats to people. | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Listed With | David Hern Sr. (b. 1755) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 154 Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 155 |
| Thomas Jefferson records the distribution of woollen, shirting, blankets, beds, and hats to people. | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Listed With | David Hern Sr. (b. 1755) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 158 Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, page 159 |
| Bread is distributed to people living at “the farm” at Monticello. | |
| Role | Receives Provisions |
| Listed With | David Hern Sr. (b. 1755)Thrimston Hern (b. 1799)Polly Hern (b. 1810) |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 156 |
| Thomas Jefferson records schedule for “rotation” of blankets and beds to people between 1817 through 1825. Isabel's name crossed out. On blankets list for "1819. 20." and 22 and 25. | |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 165 |
| Thomas Jefferson records schedule for “rotation” of blankets and beds to people between 1817 through 1825. On beds list for "1819. 20." | |
| Sources | Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 165 |
© 2026 Thomas Jefferson Foundation. Getting Word: African American History at Monticello is supported by the Mellon Foundation