Dick Jasper, C. 1753 – After 1820

Charity jasper, C. 1757 – After 1801

Dick and Charity raised six children at Dogue Run Farm. Their work was grueling and often disrupted by Washington’s building projects and crop experiments. As an enslaved carter, Dick drove the wagon that delivered bricks during construction projects. Charity, an enslaved field hand, often had to learn specialized agricultural skills to ensure successful experiments on the farm.

Dick Jasper’s contributions extended beyond enslavement. In 1835, he and his son Morris were among those who returned to Mount Vernon to assist with landscaping around George Washington’s new tomb. Charity’s legacy lived on through her grandson, William Jasper, who in 1881 deeded land to create the Laurel Grove School, a school for Black children in Franconia.

Clothing and styling for this portrait reflect the couple’s roles as field workers. Descendants emphasized resiliency as a defining family trait and described inherited physical features. Modern family photographs were also submitted to provide visual reference points for shared characteristics across generations.

Learn more about Dick and Charity on the Faces of Mount Vernon’s Enslaved Community webpage.