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Edith Hern Fossett (1787–1854) was an African American chef who for much of her life was enslaved by Thomas Jefferson before being freed. Three generations of her family, the Herns, worked in Jefferson's fields, performed domestic and leadership duties, and made tools.
Sep 11, 2011 · Edith Hern Fossett (1787-1854), learned French cookery at the President's House in Washington, D.C., and served as the enslaved chief cook at Monticello during the period of Thomas Jefferson's retirement.
Edith Hern Fossett was the daughter of David Hern, a enslaved carpenter, and Isabel, an enslaved domestic servant. For six years of Jefferson’s presidency, Fossett trained under the French chef at the President’s House in Washington, returning to Monticello in 1809 as chief cook.
Article. Edith Hern Fossett, an enslaved cook. 1787-1854. Overview. Edith Hern was born in 1787. Her father was David Hern, a carpenter. Her mother was Isabel, a housemaid and farm worker. Both were slaves.
Sep 30, 2020 · Edith Hern Fossett, Monticello’s head cook from 1809 to 1826, followed in the footsteps of three enslaved head chefs before her. Ursula Granger. Purchased at the request of Jefferson’s wife, Martha, Ursula Granger worked as a cook, pastry chef, cider maker, washer woman and field hand from 1773 to her death in 1800.
The 1809 kitchen in the South Wing is where enslaved chefs Edith Hern Fossett and Frances Gillette Hern managed food preparation during Jefferson’s retirement, often for large groups of people on a daily basis.
Jul 9, 2012 · In 1802, Jefferson brought two young women, Edith Fossett and and Fanny Hern, to Washington and Monticello research historian Leni Sorensen is able to offer an impression of what life was...
