As a commanding and respected figure in the kitchen and "on the town," Hercules (Uncle Harkless) made such an impression that years later Washington's step-grandson/adopted son wrote a long section about him. The money ($100-200) from his perk of selling the kitchen "slops" was used for fashionable clothes of fine white linen, a gold watch, gold topped cane......all quite unusual for a slave, as was the portrait by Gilbert Stuart, believed to be Hercules, c1796. On Washington's birthday in 1797, he escaped from Mount Vernon while on outside work duty. More details on this interesting man are at the link below. From the George Washington Parke Custis (1781-1857) book:
"The
chief cook would have been termed in modern parlance, a celebrated artiste. He
was named Hercules, and familiarly termed Uncle Harkless.
Trained in the
mysteries of his part from early youth, and in the palmy days of Virginia, when
her thousand chimneys smoked to indicate the generous hospitality that reigned
throughout the whole length and breadth of her wide domain, Uncle Harkless was,
at the period of the first presidency [Philadelphia 1789-1797], as highly accomplished a proficient in
the culinary art as could be found in the United States.
He was a dark brown
man, little, if any, above the usual size, yet possessed of such great muscular
power as to entitle him to be compared with his namesake of fabulous history.
The
chief cook gloried in the cleanliness and nicety of his kitchen. Under his iron
discipline, wo [woe] to his underlings if speck or spot could be discovered on the
tables or dressers, or if the utensils did not shine like polished silver. With
the luckless wights who had offended in these particulars there was no arrest
of punishment, for judgment and execution went hand in hand.
The
steward, and indeed the whole household, treated the chief cook with much respect, as well for
his valuable services as for his general good character and pleasing manners.
It
was while preparing the Thursday or Congress dinner that Uncle Harkless shone
in all his splendor. During his labors upon this banquet he required some half dozen
aprons, and napkins out of number. It was surprising the order and discipline
that was observed in so bustling a scene. His underlings flew in all directions
to execute his orders, while he, the great master-spirit, seemed to possess the
power of ubiquity, and to be everywhere at the same moment.
When
the steward in snow-white apron, silk shorts and stockings, and hair in full
powder, placed the first dish on the table, the clock being on the stroke of
four, "the labors of Hercules" ceased.
While
the masters of the republic were engaged in discussing the savory viands of the
Congress dinner, the chief cook retired to make his toilet for an evening
promenade. His perquisites from the slops of the kitchen were from one to two
hundred dollars a year. Though homely in person, he lavished the most of these
large avails upon dress. In making his toilet his linen was of unexceptionable
whiteness and quality, then black silk shorts, ditto waistcoat, ditto
stockings, shoes highly polished, with large buckles covering a considerable
part of the foot, blue cloth coat with velvet collar and bright metal buttons,
a long watch-chain dangling from his fob, a cocked-hat, and gold-headed cane
completed the grand costume of the celebrated dandy (for there were dandies in
those days) of the president's kitchen.
Thus
arrayed, the chief cook invariably passed out at the front door, the porter
making a low bow, which was promptly returned. Joining his brother-loungers of
the pave, he proceeded up Market street, [Philadelphia] attracting considerable attention,
that street being, in the old times, the resort where fashionables "did
most congregate." Many were not a little surprised on beholding so
extraordinary a personage, while others who knew him would make a formal and
respectful bow, that they might receive in return the salute of one of the most
polished gentlemen and the veriest dandy of nearly sixty years ago."
Recollections
and Private Memoirs of Washington by his adopted son, George Washington Parke
Custis. New York: 1860
Blog post on update for Hercules (the painting is not of him, but his NYC life and death has been revealed) HERE
Mount Vernon article about Hercules HERE
©2015 Patricia Bixler Reber
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