Paul Jennings' Journey to Freedom and Memories of the White House
Paul Jennings was a slave who worked for President James Madison.
Jennings would eventually win his freedom and is best known for writing one of the first memoirs regarding life in the White House.
Although he lived well past the Civil War, Paul’s firsthand account of the Madison Presidency gets him his day as a Founder.
Paul Jennings
Paul Jennings was born into slavery on the Madison Family plantation Montpelier in Virginia.
While still in his early teens, Jennings was given the position of body servant for James Madison who was the sitting President of the United States.
When the White House was burned by the British during the War of 1812 Paul took a famous painting of George Washington from the property. Although Dolly Madison usually gets credit for saving this item, Jennings was actually the one who carried it from the building.
Freedom in Washington
Jennings lived with the Madison’s until his mid-40’s, marrying a slave on a neighboring farm and having several children.
When James died, he was brought back to Washington with Dolly who eventually sold him (because she was basically destitute).
Paul quickly found himself in the possession of Daniel Webster. This proved fortunate as Webster freed Jennings on the condition that he work to offset the cost Webster incurred.
Abolition and Civil War
Paul returned south to find his children, all of whom would eventually move to the greater Washington area.
He participated in the Pearl Incident which was the largest mass escape attempt by American slaves. The feat was a failure but Jennings seemed to dodge any trouble.
He continued to work for the Government in various capacities, including issuing pensions to veterans of the Civil War.
Memoir
Jennings lived until 1874, long enough to see all slaves win their freedom.
In the final years of his life, he published his story under the title of A Colored Man’s Reminiscences of James Madison.
This book not only gives an important perspective of working as a slave for the Madison Family, but is also often considered the first White House memoir.
Want to learn about other FREED SLAVES OF THE AMERICAN FOUNDING?
Great, check these out:
Prince Whipple Plants a Liberty Tree
Temporary Freedom - York and the Corps of Discovery
Freedom Through Food - Culinary Master James Hemmings
Paul Jennings has gotten an increased amount of awareness over the last few years.
‘A Slave in the White House’ is a full scale biography of his life, focusing on his time with the Madison’s and his book.
Pick up a copy through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same) .
