Hercules was the enslaved African cook of the Washington family, both in Mount Vernon and in Philadelphia. He was said to be one of the best chefs in the land. Hercules and another enslaved African traveled to Philadelphia by stage coach from Mount Vernon, the Washington's home and plantation in Virginia. When Hercules arrived in Philadelphia in 1790, he was already in his late 30s. He stayed in Philadelphia for nearly all of the seven years the President lived here. He had been married while living in Virginia but his wife had died, leaving him to raise their three children.

Hercules was known in the house as "Uncle Harkless". He sold kitchen leftovers, which earned him $100 to $200 a year. He bought stylish clothes with this money, and was able to attend the theater and the famous museum of Charles Willson Peale, in what is now Independence Hall. He slept in a room with his son and later, after his son returned to Mount Vernon, with another slave in the attic or garret of the house.

At the end of Washington's presidency, the family was preparing to go back to Mt. Vernon. Rather than face continued enslavement, Hercules decided to run away. His daily contact with Philadelphia's large Free African population may have had an influence on his decision to seek his freedom. His escape caused the President much distress.

A personal memoir is an account of the experiences and recollections of an author.

Every Thursday evening the President would have a dinner, often for Congressmen. Hercules was in charge of preparing the meal. Many years later, George Washington Parke Custis wrote the following in his personal memoirs about Hercules:

"During his labours upon this banquet he required some halfdozen 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."

Detail from presumed portrait of George Washington Cook, attributed to Gilbert Stuart. Image courtesy of Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid.

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