Branham, Caroline, 1764?-1843

Caroline Branham was an enslaved woman at Mount Vernon in Virginia, and owned by Martha Washington as part of the Custis estate. She worked as a housemaid in the Mount Vernon mansion. Caroline was married to Peter Hardiman, an enslaved groom whom George Washington rented from David Stuart, who had married the widow of Martha Washington’s son, John (Jacky) Parke Custis. Together they had at least eight children: Wilson, Rachel, Jemima, Leanthe, Polly, Peter, Austin, and Daniel. After Martha Washington’s death in 1802, Caroline Branham and her children were inherited by George Washington Parke Custis, Martha Washington's grandson. Peter Hardiman was also inherited by Custis, allowing the family to stay together. Caroline Branham died in 1843 and is buried in the graveyard of Christ Church in Alexandria, Virginia.