John Wayles was a colonial American planter, slave trader and lawyer in colonial Virginia.
13 Facts About John Wayles
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John Wayles is historically best known as the father-in-law of Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States.
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The young John Wayles likely became aware of the burgeoning transatlantic slave trade and "its ability to make merchants rich".
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John Wayles emigrated as a young man to the Virginia Colony, likely during the 1730s.
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John Wayles received his licence to practice law in Virginia in 1741, entering into the profession the very same year.
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John Wayles began his legal career by traveling on horseback to plantations in the Tidewater, where he obtained work creating legal documents.
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John Wayles's plantation, called "The Forest", was located in Charles City County.
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Thomas Jefferson 8.
John Wayles arranged for tobacco sales between planters in Virginia and buyers in Europe.
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Secondly, John Wayles married Tabitha Cocke, of Malvern Hill, of the planter class.
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John Wayles was not known to acknowledge his children by Betty, nor did he free her or them in his will.
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John Wayles did, though, allow certain freedoms for his children.
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John Wayles left substantial property, including many enslaved persons, but the estate was encumbered with debt.
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Jefferson and other co-executors of the John Wayles estate worked for years to clear the debt.