The Kentucky plantation president who blocked slavery while practicing it

Zachary Taylor’s Enslaved Labor Legacy at Springfield Plantation

Springfield Plantation rose from Kentucky soil in 1790, built by the hands of over twenty enslaved people owned by Colonel Richard Taylor.

His son Zachary grew up there, later owning hundreds of enslaved individuals across three states.

After winning the Mexican War, Taylor moved to the White House in 1849 as our last slave-owning president, bringing enslaved workers like Charles and Tom with him.

Though he fought against slavery’s spread, Taylor kept his plantations and, upon his sudden death in 1850, willed 131 enslaved people to his family.

The Zachary Taylor House in Kentucky still stands as a brick testament to this complex chapter in American history.

Continental Army Vet Built Kentucky Home Using Slave Labor

Richard Taylor, a Continental Army vet, moved his family from Virginia to Kentucky around 1790.

He built the brick Springfield house using slaves on the highest spot of his land. He grew his property to 700 acres by 1800.

His son Zachary lived at Springfield longer than anywhere else. Richard owned 26 slaves by 1800 to run the large estate.

Young Zachary Grew Up Watching Slaves Work The Land

Zachary Taylor was born in 1784 and spent his childhood at Springfield surrounded by slave workers.

He schooled at a small Middletown academy before joining the Army in 1808. He married Margaret Mackall Smith in 1810, and five of their six children were born at Springfield.

He learned how to run a plantation from his father, who used slave labor for everything. When Richard died in 1829, Zachary got two slaves, Charles and Tom.

Military Career Didn’t Stop Taylor From Buying More Plantations

Taylor bought a Louisiana plantation near Baton Rouge while serving in the military. By the 1840s, he owned plantations in Kentucky, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

Hundreds of slaves worked these properties to support the Taylor family. He ran his plantations from afar throughout his Army career.

He became a wealthy slave owner while moving up through Army ranks.

Taylor Spent $95,000 On A Huge Mississippi Plantation

In April 1842, Taylor bought Cypress Grove plantation in Mississippi for $95,000.

The deal included 1,823 acres and 81 slaves with names like Nelson, Milley, Mason, Willis, Rachel, and Caroline. The sale also covered horses, mules, cattle, and tools along with human beings treated as property.

By Taylor’s death in 1850, the slave count grew to at least 127 people. Taylor hired overseers to run things while he focused on his Army career.

Mexican War Wins Launched Taylor Into The White House

Taylor’s battles at Buena Vista and other places made him a national hero by 1847. Presidential clubs formed supporting “Old Rough and Ready” for office.

Southerners hoped he would back states’ rights and slavery in western lands. He won the 1848 election even though he had never voted in a presidential election before.

This wealthy slave owner headed to Washington with unclear political views.

Slaves Served The President At The White House

Taylor brought slaves to work at the White House.

Those likely serving there included Charles Porter, Tom, Dicey, Jane, William, and Caroline. He kept running his Cypress Grove plantation from Washington through letters.

His daughter Betty Bliss and son-in-law might have brought more slaves including Lawrence Smith, Eliza Smith, and Eli.

Taylor stayed active as an absent plantation owner while serving as president.

The President Owned Slaves But Fought Their Spread To New Lands

Though Taylor owned hundreds of slaves, he stood against slavery’s spread into new areas. He backed California joining the Union as a free state.

He kept making money from slave labor while taking anti-slavery political stands. His political goals and private actions created a mix that confused people at the time.

He often wrote to his overseer Thomas Ringgold to make sure his plantation ran smoothly from the White House.

Southern Leaders Got A Shocking Warning From Their Fellow Southerner

In February 1850, Taylor held a heated meeting with southern leaders who threatened to break away from the Union.

He told them he would personally lead the Army to enforce laws if needed.

He said he would hang rebels with less pause than he had hanged deserters and spies in Mexico. He took a strong Union stance despite being southern-born and owning slaves.

Taylor stood ready to keep the Union together by force rather than compromise.

A Hot July 4th Celebration Turned Deadly For The President

On July 4, 1850, Taylor went to the Washington Monument groundbreaking ceremony on an extremely hot day.

He sat under the blazing sun for hours listening to patriotic speeches.

After returning to the White House, he ate lots of cherries and drank iced milk. He also drank several glasses of water to fight the heat and thirst.

That evening, he got violently sick with severe stomach cramps.

Five Days Of Suffering Ended Taylor’s Short Presidency

Taylor’s health got worse quickly, showing symptoms of gastroenteritis or cholera morbus. He ate ice slivers for relief until his body started rejecting all fluids.

On July 9, 1850, he called his wife Margaret to his bedside and told her, “I have always done my duty, I am ready to die.”

He died after only 16 months as president, leaving the nation’s slavery crisis unsolved. Vice President Millard Fillmore took over and supported the Compromise of 1850.

Taylor’s Will Left 131 People In Bondage After His Death

Taylor’s will gave about 131 enslaved men, women, and children to his family members. He listed them as “slaves for life” for his wife Margaret and children Ann, Betty, and Richard.

He asked that his servants be “only moderately worked and kindly treated” but didn’t free any of them. His final act before death was buying 64 more enslaved people for his son’s Louisiana plantation.

His death ended the presidency of America’s last slave-owning president, but the people he owned remained in bondage.

Visiting Zachary Taylor House, Kentucky

The Zachary Taylor House at 5608 Apache Road in Louisville’s Saint Matthews neighborhood is a private residence where you can view the exterior and historical markers from the street for free.

This former 400-acre plantation, now reduced to 3/4 acre, was built around 1790 by over twenty enslaved people.

Taylor owned 131 enslaved individuals when he died in 1850. His grave and 50-foot granite monument are nearby at Zachary Taylor National Cemetery on Brownsboro Road.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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