<P> Following Martha Washington's death in 1802, George Washington's will was carried out in accordance with the terms of his bequests . The largest part of his estate, which included both his papers and Mount Vernon, passed to his nephew, Bushrod Washington (an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States). The younger Washington and his wife then moved to Mount Vernon . </P> <P> Bushrod Washington did not inherit much cash and was unable to support the upkeep of the estate's mansion on the proceeds from the property and his Supreme Court salary . He sold some of his own slaves to gain working capital . However, the farms' low revenues left him short, and he was unable to adequately maintain the mansion . </P> <P> Following Bushrod Washington's death in 1829, ownership of the plantation passed to George Washington's great - grandnephew, John Augustine Washington III . As his funds dwindled and the wear and tear of hundreds of visitors began to take its toll, Washington could do little to maintain the mansion and its surroundings . Washington suggested to the United States Congress that the federal government purchase the mansion . Little interest was paid to Washington's offer . Washington traveled to Richmond where he was equally unsuccessful in appealing to the Virginia General Assembly for the state to purchase the mansion . The mansion's decline continued . </P> <P> In 1858, Washington sold the mansion and a portion of the estate's land to the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, which was under the leadership of Ann Pamela Cunningham . The Association paid the final installment of the purchase price of $200,000 ($5,714,285.71 in 2014 dollars) on 9 December 1859, taking possession on 22 February 1860 . The estate served as a neutral ground for both sides during the American Civil War, although fighting raged across the nearby countryside . Troops from both the Union and the Confederacy toured the building . The two women caretakers asked that the soldiers leave their arms behind and either change to civilian clothes or at least cover their uniforms . They usually did as asked . </P>

Who planted and harvested crops at mount vernon