Jefferson has a mixed history on slavery. In my opinion, he knew it was wrong but was caught in the culture of his time, essentially conforming to the status quo. I must point out that other slave owners freed their slaves and in the North in particular many people abhorred slavery already in the late 18th century.
Thomas Jefferson and bankruptcy.
1. Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809)
Despite an ostentatious lifestyle – or perhaps because of it – Jefferson owed money to various creditors throughout his life. He inherited debt from his father-in-law as a result of unusual estate planning and was a creditor to many unreliable debtors. His main source of income, Monticello, proved inadequate to cover his debts. Poor management of his estate and price fluctuations of commodities cost Jefferson dearly. Towards the end of his life, he was so severely in debt that he petitioned the state of Virginia to auction off his land; the state refused. After he died, his estate was was auctioned off, and his surviving daughter was forced to rely on charity.
(AP Photo/File)
http://xfinity.comcast.net/slideshow/finance-poorestpresidents/thomas-jefferson/
Madison had to sell part of his property because he could not pay his and his son's debts.
2. James Madison (1809-1817)
At his Montpelier plantation, Madison suffered similar difficulties to Jefferson. While his various agriculture businesses were occasionally profitable, in the end they lost him money. His stepson, a gambler, racked up debts. Madison absorbed these obligations and was forced to sell half of Montpelier to pay them off. Although he may have wanted to free his slaves, his financial troubles prevented him from doing so, and he was forced to sell some of them to pay off debts. Some historians suggest that he had his memoirs published posthumously in order to better provide for his family.
http://xfinity.comcast.net/slideshow/finance-poorestpresidents/james-madison%20/
Washington was truly wealthy as you point out, thanks in part to the wealthy widower he married.
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