Burwell Colbert facts for kids

Burwell Colbert (born December 24, 1783 – died 1862) was an African American man who was enslaved at Monticello. This was the large farm, or plantation, owned by Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was the third President of the United States. Burwell Colbert played a very important role in running Monticello and another of Jefferson's properties, Poplar Forest. He worked as a butler, a personal assistant (valet), a glazier (someone who installs glass), and a painter.

Burwell was the son of Betty “Bett” Brown. Betty Brown was the second child of Elizabeth “Betty” Hemings. Elizabeth Hemings was a very important woman in the Hemings family at Monticello. President Jefferson thought highly of Burwell Colbert. He called him a "faithful servant" and said he was "absolutely excepted from the whip." This meant he was never whipped. When Jefferson died on July 4, 1826, Burwell Colbert was among those with him.

A Trusted Worker at Monticello

Monticello was the home of Thomas Jefferson.

According to Edmund Bacon, who was the chief overseer at Monticello for many years, Burwell was the most important servant there. Bacon said that Mr. Jefferson had many favorite servants. He treated them as well as possible. Jefferson also had "the most perfect confidence" in Burwell Colbert. This means he trusted him completely.

Burwell Colbert and his cousin, John Hemings, were very special. They were two of the most skilled workers at Monticello. They were given $20 each year to buy clothes. They could go to the stores in Charlottesville and choose their own clothing. This was a rare privilege. Usually, enslaved African Americans were given basic clothes and food. They had no choice in what they received.

Gaining Freedom

Thomas Jefferson made sure Burwell Colbert would be free in his will. A will is a legal document that says what happens to a person's property after they die. Jefferson also left Burwell $300. This money was for him to buy tools. It helped him continue working in his trade as a glazier and painter.

Burwell Colbert married his first cousin, Critta Hemings. They had eight children together. Sadly, Critta died in 1819 when she was only 36 years old. Several years later, in 1834, Burwell married Elizabeth Battles. She was a free woman of color. They had three daughters together.

After gaining his freedom, Burwell Colbert continued his work. He worked as a glazier and painter at the University of Virginia. Thomas Jefferson had founded this university in 1819.

See also

In Spanish: Burwell Colbert para niños