Jacob and Sall's Responsibilities
Jacob awoke very early each morning. As he dressed, he put on an itchy, osnaburg shirt and grey half-thick breeches. When the weather was warm, Jacob would have been barefoot, because slaves were given only one pair of shoes for the entire year. After waking William, Jr., Jacob went into the kitchen to help Sall.
Sall was the main cook for the household and tavern. Like other enslaved girls, her chores consisted of cooking, baking, cleaning, tending the fire, gardening, and anything else that was deemed necessary to help keep the house running smoothly.
Had Jacob lived in a gentry household, he might have trained as a butler, valet, or waiter. African-American children groomed for household service started their training as young as age six. At the Brown House, however, Jacob likely spent his days not only waiting on William, but also cleaning the house, emptying chamber pots, sweeping, hauling water, mucking the horse stalls, and helping Mr. Brown with the ferry.
As mistress of the house, Mrs. Brown would have supervised the household workers, as well as managed the inn.
