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The Working White House: Paul Jennings

The Working White House: Paul Jennings

Bill of sale transferring ownership of Paul Jennings, 1846.

Paul Jennings was born a slave on James Madison’s estate at Montpelier in 1799 and later served as the president’s "body servant" until Madison died in 1836. Pollard Webb, an insurance and real estate agent, purchased Jennings from Dolley Madison in September 1846, and sold him to U.S. Senator Daniel Webster for $120 six months later.

Credit
Collection of Michael R. Winston