Biography · Biography & Culture

Edith Hern Fossett

1787–1854

United States

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Biography

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. Like Hern, they also took care of children.

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Biography text · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

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