John Tyler & Enslavement

Ongoing research into the lives of the men, women, and children whom John Tyler enslaved provides a more complex understanding of this leader of a “free” nation who kept dozens in bondage until his death in 1862 during the Civil War. He died a member of the Confederate Congress.

President John Tyler was born in 1790 to John Tyler (referred to as “Judge John Tyler” to distinguish from his son) and Mary Armistead at Greenway, a plantation in Charles City County, Virginia. John Tyler lived at multiple plantations in Charles City, including Woodbourne, Greenway, and Sherwood Forest. He also lived in Gloucester County, Williamsburg, and Washington, D.C.

The section below charts the number of people enslaved in the Tyler households during the 19th century based on information from a surviving inventory, various letters, and U.S. census records, which rarely included the names of the enslaved.

Number of People Enslaved by the Tylers, 1810-1860

1810 U.S. Census: Judge John Tyler enslaved26 people at Greenway in Charles City County, Virginia.

Judge John Tyler’s 1813 Will and Inventory: Judge Tyler’s Will and Inventory together mention 44 enslaved people.

1820 U.S. Census: John Tyler enslaved 24 peopleat Greenway in Charles City County, Virginia.

1830 U.S. Census: John Tyler enslaved29 people at Greenway in Charles City County, Virginia.

1840 U.S. Census: John Tyler enslaved14 people in Williamsburg, James City County, Virginia.

1844: Julia Tyler reports,“There are between sixty and seventy slaves…” at Sherwood Forest in Charles City County, Virginia.

1850 U.S. Census: John Tyler enslaved46 people at Sherwood Forest in Charles City County, Virginia.

1852: Eben Horsford writes,“The slaves are about 60 in number…” at Sherwood Forest in Charles City County, Virginia.

1860 U.S. Census: John Tyler enslaved43 people at Sherwood Forest in Charles City County, Virginia.

1860 U.S. Census: Tazewell Tyler (John Tyler’s son) enslaved11 peoplein New Kent County, Virginia.