America's Black Founders: Revolutionary Heroes & Early Leaders with 21 Activities

America's Black Founders: Revolutionary Heroes & Early Leaders with 21 Activities — page 7
in Philadelphia Benjamin Chew was a friend of George Washing ton and John Adams Pennsylvania's famous Penn family hired his law services However Chew dis agreed with the political stance of Benjamin Franklin Chew did not support the signing of the Declaration of Independence During his early years in the Chew household Richard Allen probably saw important political figures helped prepare for the flurry of polit ical activities and overheard heated discussions In 1767 there were nearly 1 400 slaves living in the city of Philadelphia This meant that about one out of every five households owned slaves Benjamin Chew’s large family of 10 usually had about 12 work ers in their home at any given time These workers were paid employees indentured servants or slaves These workers probably kept out of sight Break fast was cooked and the table prepared while the Chew family dressed in their bedrooms When the family came in to eat the workers went to the bed rooms to tidy the rooms Positions at the household usually included a coachman maids and menservants a cook a washer woman and a nurse for the children Younger slaves such as Richard helped out in any way they could There were always jobs such as carrying wood for the fireplace stuffing straw in a mattress or helping the sons and daughters of Benjamin