Joseph Fossett (1780-1858)

Person Record

Enslaved Person

BIOGRAPHICAL

First Name	Joseph
Alternate Names	Joe Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, page 24
Surnames	Fossett Albemarle County Will Book: Thomas Jefferson’s Will
Gender	Male
Birth Information	Nov. 1780 Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, page 24
Death Information	19 Sept. 1858, Cincinnati, OH Fossett Family Tombstone, Union Baptist Cemetary, Cincinnati, OH.

AS PROPERTY

Enslaved by

Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, page 24

GENEALOGY

Mother	Mary Hemings Bell (b. 1753) Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, page 24
Father	[Possibly William Fossett?] Landscape of Slavery: William Fossett
Partner	Edith Hern Fossett (1787-1854) Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, page 139
Children	James Fossett (b. 1805) Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, page 134
	Maria Fossett (b. 1807) Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, page 134
	Martha A. [Fossett] Jefferson Twombley (1810-1879) Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, page 139
	Ann-Elizabeth Fossett Isaacs (1812-1902) Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, page 139
	Peter Farley Fossett (1815-1901) Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, page 154
	Isabella Fossett (b. 1819) Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, page 164
	William Fossett (1821-1901) Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, page 172

RELATED LINKS

Getting Word: Joseph Fossett

Getting Word: Fossett Family

Getting Word: Hemings Family

Getting Word: Betsy Hemmings Family

TIMELINE

1783

Albemarle County

Commercial: Enslaved_inventory

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	Mary Hemings Bell (b. 1753)Daniel Farley (1772-1838)Molly Hemings (b. 1777)
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 24

1794

Monticello

George Granger Jr. supervises the nailery, reporting on the boys’ average work. George receives a percentage of profits from nails sold.
Role	Laborer
Occupation:	Nailer
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 111

1794 Nov.

Monticello

Commercial: Enslaved_inventory

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	Betsy Hemmings (1783-1857)
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 30

1794 Dec.

Provisions: Clothing

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
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 41

1795

Provisions: Clothing

Clothing and textiles are distributed to enslaved and hired persons, inlucding linen, wool, cotton, stockings, shoes, blankets, and beds.
Role	Receives Provisions
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 49

1795

Provisions: Food

Bread is distributed to enslaved people and hired workers. The source material organizes people into lists by overseer. Listed under Tom Shackleford.
Role	Receives Provisions
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 43

1795 June 27

Shadwell

Labor: Agricultural

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

1796

Provisions: Food

Thomas Jefferson records distribution of fish.
Role	Receives Provisions
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 53

1796

Monticello

Provisions: Food

Bread is distributed to enslaved people and hired workers. The source material organizes people into lists by overseer.
Role	Receives Provisions
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 50

1796

Monticello House

Provisions: Food

Fish and other rations are distributed to people living by the house at Monticello.
Role	Receives Provisions
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 51

1796

Provisions: Supplies

Linen, wool, stockings, blankets, beds, and shoes are distributed to 134 people enslaved or hired by Thomas Jefferson.
Role	Receives Provisions
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 52

1797 May

Monticello House

Provisions: Food

Bread is distributed to people living by the house at Monticello.
Role	Receives Provisions
Listed With	Moses Hern (b. 1779)Wormley Hughes (1781-1858)Shepherd (b. 1782)James Hubbard (b. 1783)Barnaby Gillette (b. 1783)Burwell Colbert (1783-1862)David Hern Jr. (b. 1784)Brown Colbert (1785-1833)Ben Hix (1784-1799)John (b. 1785)Davy (b. 1785)Philip Hubbard (1786-1819)Cary (b. 1785)Ben Snowden (b. 1785)
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 52

1798

Monticello

Commercial: Enslaved_inventory

Thomas Jefferson documents the people he enslaves at Monticello from late 1798 to early 1799.
Role	Enumerated
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 57

1799

Monticello House

Provisions: Food

Thomas Jefferson records the distribution of fish and beef to people at Monticello House.
Role	Receives Provisions
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 56

1799

Provisions: Food

Thomas Jefferson records the distribution of fish and beef rations.
Role	Receivies Provisions
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 57

1799 June 27

Labor: Agricultural

People participate in the grain harvest at the South Field. Assigned as driver
Role	Laborer
Occupation:	Farm Laborer
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 58

1799 Oct.

Provisions: Supplies

Linen, wool, stockings, blankets, beds, and shoes are distributed to people enslaved or hired by Thomas Jefferson
Role	Receives Provisions
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 55

1800 July 15

Labor: Agricultural

People work in the crop harvest. Assigned as cradler
Role	Laborer
Occupation:	Farm Laborer
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 58

1800 Nov.

Monticello

Provisions: Clothing

Thomas Jefferson records the distribution of linen, wool, stockings, blankets, beds, and shoes to people.
Role	Receives Provisions
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 58a

1801

Commercial: Enslaved_inventory

Thomas Jefferson documented who remained after leasing 47 people to John Craven.
Role	Enumerated
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 60

1808

Provisions: Supplies

Thomas Jefferson records a schedule for the distribution of blankets to people from 1808 through 1810. On 1809 list.
Role	Receives Provisions
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 137

1810

Provisions: Clothing

Hats are distributed to people.
Role	Receives Provisions
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 143

1810

Monticello House

Provisions: Food

Total pounds, possibly of ham, distributed as rations for people at Monticello House in 1810.
Role	Receives Provisions
Listed With	Edith Hern Fossett (1787-1854)
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 135

1810 Feb.

Monticello House

Provisions: Food

Bread is distributed to people living by the house at Monticello.
Role	Receives Provisions
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 134

1810 Dec.

Monticello

Provisions: Clothing

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	Edith Hern Fossett (1787-1854)James Fossett (b. 1805)Maria Fossett (b. 1807)
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 136

1811

Monticello

Provisions: Supplies

Thomas Jefferson records schedule for “rotation” of blankets and beds to people between 1811 through 1819. On blanket list for "1812. 15. 18"
Role	Receives Provisions
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 142

1811 June 16

Provisions: Clothing

Thomas Jefferson distributes summer clothing.
Role	Receives Provisions
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 136

1811 Nov. 18

Commercial: Services

Joseph Fossett reported to Thomas Jefferson on income he made from plating saddle trees for Mr. Burnley.
Role	Hired
Occupation:	Blacksmith
Listed With	Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)Seth Burnley (d. 1857)
Sources	Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on Joseph Fossett’s Account for Plating Saddle Trees, 18 Nov. 1811

1812 Mar. 09

Albemarle County

Commercial: Services

William Watson requests permission for Joseph Fossett to plate saddle trees.
Role	Hired
Occupation:	Blacksmith
Listed With	William Watson (d. 1853)Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)Edmund Bacon (1785-1866)Gabriel LillyJohn Holmes Freeman
Sources	William Watson to Thomas Jefferson, 9 Mar. 1812

1812 Sept. 23

Commercial: Enslaved_loan

Mary Walker Lewis requests Joseph Fossett’s assistance with unspecified work.
Role	Hired
Listed With	Mary Walker Lewis (1742–1824)Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)
Sources	Mary Lewis to Thomas Jefferson, 23 Sept. 1812

1812 Dec.

Monticello

Provisions: Clothing

Thomas Jefferson records the distribution of linen, wool, blankets, beds, hats, and sifters to people.
Role	Receives Provisions
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 139 Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 140

1812 Dec.

Monticello

Provisions: Clothing

Thomas Jefferson records the distribution of summer clothing to people.
Role	Receives Provisions
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 139

1813 Dec.

Monticello

Provisions: Clothing

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

1814 Dec.

Monticello

Provisions: Clothing

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

1815

Monticello House

Provisions: Food

Bread is distributed to people living by the house at Monticello.
Role	Receives Provisions
Listed With	Edith Hern Fossett (1787-1854)James Fossett (b. 1805)Maria Fossett (b. 1807)Martha A. [Fossett] Jefferson Twombley (1810-1879)Ann-Elizabeth Fossett Isaacs (1812-1902)
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 148

1815 Dec.

Monticello

Provisions: Clothing

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

1816

Monticello

Provisions: Clothing

Thomas Jefferson records the distribution of woollen, shirting, blankets, beds, socks, and hats to people.
Role	Receives Provisions
Listed With	Edith Hern Fossett (1787-1854)James Fossett (b. 1805)Maria Fossett (b. 1807)Martha A. [Fossett] Jefferson Twombley (1810-1879)Ann-Elizabeth Fossett Isaacs (1812-1902)Peter Farley Fossett (1815-1901)
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 154 Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 155

1817

Monticello

Provisions: Clothing

Thomas Jefferson records the distribution of woollen, shirting, blankets, beds, and hats to people.
Role	Receives Provisions
Listed With	Edith Hern Fossett (1787-1854)Maria Fossett (b. 1807)Martha A. [Fossett] Jefferson Twombley (1810-1879)Ann-Elizabeth Fossett Isaacs (1812-1902)Peter Farley Fossett (1815-1901)
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 158 Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, page 159

1817

Monticello House

Provisions: Food

Bread is distributed to people living by the house at Monticello.
Role	Receives Provisions
Listed With	Edith Hern Fossett (1787-1854)James Fossett (b. 1805)Maria Fossett (b. 1807)Martha A. [Fossett] Jefferson Twombley (1810-1879)Ann-Elizabeth Fossett Isaacs (1812-1902)Peter Farley Fossett (1815-1901)
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 156

1818

Monticello

Provisions: Clothing

Thomas Jefferson records the distribution of woollen, shirting, blankets and beds to people at Monticello.
Role	Receives Provisions
Listed With	Edith Hern Fossett (1787-1854)Maria Fossett (b. 1807)Martha A. [Fossett] Jefferson Twombley (1810-1879)Ann-Elizabeth Fossett Isaacs (1812-1902)Peter Farley Fossett (1815-1901)
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 162

1819

Monticello

Provisions: Clothing

Thomas Jefferson records the distribution of woollen, shirting, blankets and beds to people at Monticello.
Role	Receives Provisions
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 164

1819

Provisions: Supplies

Thomas Jefferson records schedule for “rotation” of blankets and beds to people between 1817 through 1825. On blankets list for "1818. 9." and 21 and 24.
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 165

1819 Aug. 07

Monticello

The blacksmith’s shop at Monticello catches fire. Joseph Fossett disengages the bellows while three men assist in tearing off the roof planks to contain the fire.
Role	Associated
Occupation:	Blacksmith
Listed With	John (b. 1753)Thomas Mann Randolph (1768-1828)Bernard Peyton (1792-1854)Francis Walker Gilmer (1790-1826)
Sources	Extract from Martha Jefferson Randolph to Thomas Jefferson, 7 Aug. 1819

1821

Monticello

Provisions: Clothing

Thomas Jefferson records the distribution of woolen, shirting, blankets, beds and hats to people at Monticello.
Role	Receives Provisions
Listed With	Edith Hern Fossett (1787-1854)Maria Fossett (b. 1807)Ann-Elizabeth Fossett Isaacs (1812-1902)Martha A. [Fossett] Jefferson Twombley (1810-1879)Peter Farley Fossett (1815-1901)Isabella Fossett (b. 1819)William Fossett (1821-1901)
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 172

1821

Monticello

Provisions: Supplies

Thomas Jefferson records schedule of future blanket distributions to people between 1822 through 1827. On "1824. Dec. 1827." list.
Role	Receives Provisions
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 169

1821 Feb.

Monticello House

Provisions: Food

Bread is distributed to people living by the house at Monticello.
Role	Receives Provisions
Listed With	Edith Hern Fossett (1787-1854)Maria Fossett (b. 1807)Martha A. [Fossett] Jefferson Twombley (1810-1879)Ann-Elizabeth Fossett Isaacs (1812-1902)Peter Farley Fossett (1815-1901)Isabella Fossett (b. 1819)
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 171

1822

Monticello

Provisions: Clothing

Thomas Jefferson records the distribution of woollen, shirting, blankets and beds to people at Monticello.
Role	Receives Provisions
Listed With	Edith Hern Fossett (1787-1854)Maria Fossett (b. 1807)Martha A. [Fossett] Jefferson Twombley (1810-1879)Ann-Elizabeth Fossett Isaacs (1812-1902)Peter Farley Fossett (1815-1901)Isabella Fossett (b. 1819)William Fossett (1821-1901)
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 174

1822 Sept. 09

Commercial: Enslaved_hire

Edmund Bacon proposes that Joseph Fossett shoe his horses and David Hern Jr. drive his team for two to three weeks. In exchange, Thomas Jefferson may use Bacon’s wagon and team for hauling.
Role	Hired
Occupation:	Blacksmith
Listed With	David Hern Jr. (b. 1784)Edmund Bacon (1785-1866)Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)
Sources	Edmund Bacon to Thomas Jefferson, 9 Sept. 1822

1822 Sept. 11

Commercial: Enslaved_hire

Edmund Bacon requests that Joseph Fossett and his striker iron a waggon, estimated at 10 days work and valued at $40.
Role	Hired
Occupation:	Blacksmith
Listed With	“his striker”Edmund Bacon (1785-1866)Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)
Sources	Edmund Bacon to Thomas Jefferson, 11 Sept. 1822

1823 Dec.

Monticello

Provisions: Clothing

Thomas Jefferson records the distribution of woollen, shirting, blankets and beds to people at Monticello.
Role	Receives Provisions
Listed With	Edith Hern Fossett (1787-1854)Maria Fossett (b. 1807)Martha A. [Fossett] Jefferson Twombley (1810-1879)Ann-Elizabeth Fossett Isaacs (1812-1902)Peter Farley Fossett (1815-1901)Isabella Fossett (b. 1819)
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 175

1824 Dec.

Monticello

Provisions: Clothing

Thomas Jefferson records the distribution of woollen, shirting, blankets and beds.
Role	Receives Provisions
Listed With	Edith Hern Fossett (1787-1854)Maria Fossett (b. 1807)Martha A. [Fossett] Jefferson Twombley (1810-1879)Ann-Elizabeth Fossett Isaacs (1812-1902)Peter Farley Fossett (1815-1901)Isabella Fossett (b. 1819)William Fossett (1821-1901)
Sources	Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book, page 176