West Ford and Priscella Bell
Article, Fairfax Chronicles
Newspaper article about West Ford from the Fairfax Chronicles, 1986, by Donald Sweig.
Wreath for West
A wreath dedicated to West Ford at the slave cemetery at Mount Vernon. From LABH collection.
Slave Cemetery Burial Records, page 1
This page lists the names and other information about the Mount Vernon burial grounds of the enslaved servants. The Ford family's oral history states that West Ford was placed in the old tomb of George Washington. There is also a notation that his wife, Priscella, was buried in the slave cemetery. From the Mount Vernon archives.
Slave Cemetery Burial Records, page 2
This page of burial records comes from 1929 minutes p. 46 about the graveyard which was used by General Washington for his enslaved at Mount Vernon. It delves into how the markers were worn and broken and how they were breaking ground to set the tablet for the stone made of Georgian marble.
Slave Cemetery Burial Records, page 3
Entry from Mount Vernon records on slave burials that George Ford visited the plantation in 1929 when two workers were placing the memorial tablet. The workers stated that Ford told them that he was born above the spinning room and that his parent's graves (William and Priscella) were buried near the tablet. From the MVLA archives.
Slave Cemetery Burial Records, page 4
This is a continuing entry from page 3. It states that George Ford told the two workers at the slave cemetery where the tablet was laid that the burying ground used to have a rail fence around it and that Mr. Dodge (a caretaker) tore it down.
The Five Negro Presidents, book by J. A. Rogers
Book cover of the book by J. A. Rogers, The Five Negro Presidents. The book also shares information on West Ford, son of George Washington on page 5. (Research by Angela Allen Henry). 1965 and renewed 1993 J. A. Rogers, First Wesleyan University Press edition 2014, ISBN 978-0-9602294-8-2.
Inside Book Cover, The Five Negro Presidents, by J. A. Rogers
Description of the book cover, The Five Negro Presidents, by J. A. Rogers (research by Angela Allen Henry).
_0.thumbnail.jpg "West Ford, 21 years of age")
This is what people are saying are about "I Cannot Tell a Lie: The True Story of George Washington's African American Descendants" by Linda Allen Bryant.
Want more information? Buy the book here!
Powerful storytelling with unforgettable characters...
Amazing what this family has endured and yet has found the strength to tell in this compelling story...I found the part about the Buffalo soldiers to be especially interesting. Also a touching and romantic love story.
I thought I knew my American history, but I was astounded by what I learned from this book. The author has done some fascinating work researching her family's journey from the Bushfield plantation of 1785 through the Civil War and race riots in Chicago in 1919. Much of this is mysteriously missing from our current public school history curriculum. Woven throughout the book is the thread of this family's strength fueled by their courage and commitment to place "family" above all else. Although sure to stir some controversy, this story needed to be told.
It's good to know that the ol' general was human after all. Hey, maybe the government will put George Washington's son on the other side of the dollar! (well, it was a thought!)
A great history lesson for all.
Though touted as a "novel," the back matter of this book demonstrates that this author did some serious research in putting together "I Cannot Tell a Lie." This extensive saga gives the reader a wrenching, personal tour through the victories and heartaches of one family - who spent 200 years in the shadow of a secret that can - and will - change the way the world views American history. The book gives us a whole new set of heroes - in the form of courageous, lively people of color, and of mixed race - who have been omitted from our texts. Read this book if you're ready to hear the truth about what America is, and should be, all about.
Linda Allen Bryant's book 'I Cannot Tell a Lie' was beautifully written and heartwarming. The characters were alive and appealing. Her statement, 'We hope that revealing the truth about George Washington's African American son will serve as a catalyst toward greater racial reconciliation amongst all Americans,' leaves me very proud and optimistic for our country's healing process.
I can't wait until the movie comes out!
It's about time someone came forward and finally told the truth.
George Washington, may not have chopped down the cherry tree, but Linda Allen Bryant, had enough branches to build a tree of his African-American Descendants. She weaves the story through each generation to bring us up to the present ending with her own family.
As a Washington buff, this is a story I had heard rumors about but never anything in any great detail, and this book at least made me consider whether or not my hero's blood flows through the veins of a living family. The author handles the sensitive areas of her story with grace and dignity, which heightens the humanity on both sides of the tale.
After reading this book, I finally understand the legacy of slavery left on the African American race. America has a diverse populace and it is about time everyone was included in the making of its history. This book was so appealing to my emotions - I cried and I laughed and I couldn't put it down! Truly this is one spectaluar piece of literary prose.
Wow, a black son!
I was very happy to hear that George Washington had a black son. I can relate to this book because I was born with blond hair and green eyes, although my mother is black and I look white like my father. It's hard living in a world that only sees black and white, even though it's full of color!!!
Thomas Jefferson did the same thing. The book was really good. I'm a white guy and I could relate to this book.
This book is very radical and to the point. It shows what all African American people had to go through without a history.
A quote from West Ford "Tell your children, tell them about the Old General. But don't tell nobody else' cause white folks won't accept it."
My initial thoughts on this book were "why did I volunteer to review this?" I wasn't partial to history, could barely keep up in school. I progressed to the foreword and realized this might be interesting. After completing the foreword, I noticed there were portraits of George Washington at age 25, West Ford age 21 and his mother Venus Ford. I was totally intrigued. The resemblance West Ford had to George Washington, his father, was uncanny.
What was so different about this story from all the other influential white men who bedded mulatto slaves and wives of sharecroppers? Nothing. What's interesting is how the Fords kept their family secret legacy alive. The prologue opens with Elise Ford Allen, facing her 79th birthday and choosing the "special ones" who would continue the legacy of the family. Each generation had a chronicler, who would continue the legacy. How neat is that. I, for one, am happy they did this. Imagine not ever knowing West Ford's story.