Doll arrived at Mount Vernon in 1759 as part of the “dower” property brought by Martha Custis into her marriage with George Washington.
An enslaved cook for decades, Doll worked long hours preparing meals for the Washington household and its constant stream of guests. The kitchen was demanding and historical records suggest that Doll became one of the estate’s most trusted cooks. Martha Washington relied on her deep knowledge of food preparation, preservation, planning, and household management. But Doll’s story extended beyond the kitchen.
As she aged, she continued to contribute to the estate by preserving fruits, preparing medicinal waters, raising poultry and selling chickens and ducks. She also became the matriarch of one of Mount Vernon’s largest enslaved families. Though the historical archive only preserves fragments of her life, those fragments reveal expertise, resilience, and leadership. Doll’s Garden honors her legacy.
Read more about Doll on Mount Vernon’s Digital Encylopedia.