What we know of the African American community at Glen Leven Farm in the 19th century is derived mostly from personal letters, newspapers, census data, and John Thompson’s account books. John Thompson kept meticulous records of those who were born into slavery at Glen Leven Farm, recording over 140 enslaved persons who were born on the property between 1816 and 1862.  Little is known about their lives, but these people would likely have maintained the house, prepared and served meals, washed the family’s laundry, and planted, cultivated, and harvested crops. During the Civil War, most of the people enslaved at Glen Leven left the farm. It is believed at least ten men who were enslaved at Glen Leven were impressed into service during the construction of Fort Negley before the Battle of Nashville in 1864. Additionally, three men who helped build Fort Negley (Henry, Paul, and Simon Thompson) were listed as members of the 12th regiment of the United States Colored Troops. By 1870, only one African American family remained at Glen Leven, and it appears that they left in the 1870s.