Talk:Hercules Posey

Speedy deletion : notability
I did not write the first draft of this article. It was submitted anonymously to WP:AFC and I accepted it. I admit I had not heard of him before I read this article. I considered that it appropriately contends Hercules's historical notability: it links him to Washington, and to a unique portrait of an 18th century US slave. It verifies this with the link to the NPR article; also the US History articles cite their paper sources, shich should be added to the article by future editors when they can be verified. I think this is enough to meet WP:BIO, so if you want to delete it, I request that it goes to WP:AFD and not speedy deletion. --Hroðulf (or Hrothulf) (Talk) 21:43, 26 February 2008 (UTC)


 * The speedy deletion tag was removed. --Hroðulf (or Hrothulf) (Talk) 02:27, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

Original Submitter
Thank you so very much for posting this! and Happy black history month!

I wrote this article it could use work but he is such a unique figure in African American history. His personal relationship with General Washington was significant and he was freed by the Presidents will even after he had escaped.

I just felt that it was an important addition to the story of life of Americas first.. first family.

It could defiantly use work, however, since we have SOME documentation of his existence and relationship with the first family during those early years of the USA we might never know for sure but one can imagine a younger Hercules helping to run the kitchen even during the revolutionary period and getting married. His little families lives were interwoven with those of the Washington family. In fact it is possible that some of his children or grandchildren lived at Arlington? There are just so many intriguing bits of the story of Hercules and his family left to answer.

However, As despicable as slavery was they had a decent relationship Washington allowed him to bring his sons with him to Philadelphia. So he is notable as an African American who helped run the first 'white house', knew the Washington family in greater detail than most, fled for his freedom and finally was officially granted it by the nations first president.

But yea, this article isn't done I just wanted to see him on here, now we need to slowly improve this and maybe tie him into African American history or American history! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.247.232.99 (talk) 02:09, 27 February 2008


 * It is probably a good idea to register for an account (you can use a pseudonym if you like, which is more anonymous than editing when you are not logged in.) I look forward to seeing you here working on the article you started. --Hroðulf (or Hrothulf) (Talk) 02:27, 27 February 2008 (UTC)


 * Alright I now have an account! I'll get back to this article and start some serious improvements soon. I recommended a revision on G.Washington's page.. it already has a section on some of his slaves and the escape of two slaves one of whom is not mentioned but is in fact, Hercules. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Cdnonmars (talk • contribs) 18:42, 29 February 2008 (UTC)

A point of order here
Washington's will is available in several places. He did not free any slaves in his will except William Lee. Mr. Washington requested that all slaves owned by him would be freed upon Martha's death. There were other slaves owned by Martha as part of her first husband's estate, which Mr Washington could not sell or free. Hercules was NOT freed by Mr. Washington's death. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.173.2.197 (talk) 02:10, 24 October 2008 (UTC)


 * I don't have the historical or legal experience to interpret wills. The sources used by the original editor are other encyclopedias, that say that GW's will emancipated Hercules.  They may be wrong, so if you make a convincing case, then I expect your revision will stay.  --Hroðulf (or Hrothulf) (Talk) 16:00, 24 October 2008 (UTC)


 * Here http://livingtrustnetwork.com/last-wills-and-testaments/george-washington-last-will-and-testament.html is the text of the will. You may check it for yourself.  It is not a matter of interpretation (legal, historical, or otherwise).  The will is written in very simple language.  Even the Wickipedia artical on William Lee (valet) states that he was the only slave set free directly in GW's will. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.173.2.197  (talk) 00:51, 28 October 2008


 * Thanks. I see:
 * ''Upon the decease of my wife, it is my Will and desire, that all the slaves which I hold in my own right, shall receive their freedom.
 * So Hercules was emancipated under the terms of GW's will, but not at GW's death. Please fix the article.
 * --Hroðulf (or Hrothulf) (Talk) 16:59, 28 October 2008 (UTC)


 * Washington didn't "request" that all his slaves be freed through his Will, he "directed" that it be done. Instead of waiting until Martha's death, at her request, his 3 Executors freed them on January 1, 1801. Martha owned one slave, a man named "Elisha," who she did not free, but bequeathed to a grandchild. The "dower" slaves were owned by the Estate of Martha's first husband. Martha had no power to free them since they were held in trust for the 4 Custis grandchildren. Washington's stern lecture (in the Will) condemning the breaking up of enslaved families seems to have been directed at the husbands of 2 of the Custis granddaughters, who set about selling off other Custis slaves their wives inherited upon marriage.
 * --BoringHistoryGuy (talk) 12:20, 31 March 2013 (UTC)

External links modified
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The supposed portrait of Hercules
The portrait is of an unknown man by an unknown artist. There is no evidence for it being "painted by a free Dominican artist." Please just remove that. The sitter does not wear a chef's hat because it had not yet been invented. This is where confusion comes in. The hat is closest to hats worn by men at the time on the Caribbean island of Dominica (then under British control), but the picture was found in London, England. Given its location and style, it is likely by an English artist. It seems best to refer to the former identification of the picture as an error (See Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum) but remove the image. Hercules' physical appearance is not known, and it's misleading to perpetuate the connection.

D.Evans DEvans2 (talk) 21:06, 6 May 2024 (UTC)