Joseph Rapin
Cite this Page
"Joseph Rapin," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/130.
- Position
- Steward
- Years in President's House
- 1801
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- White
- Presidency
- Thomas Jefferson
- Biography
- Joseph Rapin was born around 1759. There is little information available about his early life. As Thomas Jefferson prepared to move into the White House, he began assembling his household. Shortly before Inauguration, Jefferson received a letter from French diplomat Philippe de Létombe, stating that he had found a suitable maître d' for the President’s House, “He is a man, 42 years old, of integrity, settled, of a constantly even disposition, speaking French and English, attached solely to his duties, always keeping busy, skilled in all the minor chores; understanding perfectly the pantry, and very knowledge about his position as maître d' always attentive to household economy; able, in sum, to watch over numerous servants.”1 Rapin was paid “100 guineas per year” and his wife, likely named Elizabeth, also joined the White House as “femme de charge,” or housekeeper.2 After six months, Joseph was replaced by Frenchman Étienne Lemaire, and returned to Philadelphia. It is unclear why Rapin left, though it seems to be his own choice; Jefferson wrote him: “It is my duty to declare to you that I have been entirely satisfied with the integrity, diligence and skill, with which you have conducted yourself in my service, and that I very much regretted the circumstances which obliged you to leave me; however if they were for your benefit it will be a consolation, as I shall be happy always to hear of your success in life.”3 Joseph passed away on December 26, 1841. He was buried at Union Burial Ground in Philadelphia and reinterred at Philadelphia Memorial Park in 1970.4
- “To Thomas Jefferson from Philippe de Létombe, 28 February 1801,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-33-02-0085. [Original source: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, vol. 33, 17 February–30 April 1801, ed. Barbara B. Oberg. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2006, pp. 96–99.]
- A marriage record for Joseph Rapin and a woman named Elizabeth Greble is listed at Christ Church in Philadelphia for May 15, 1800. Elizabeth Greble is likely his wife’s name. According to Létombe, the Rapins had no children. “Memorandum Books, 1801,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/02-02-02-0011. [Original source: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Second Series, Jefferson’s Memorandum Books, vol. 2, ed. James A Bear, Jr. and Lucia C. Stanton. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1997, pp. 1032–1061.] “Elizabeth Greble in the Pennsylvania, U.S., Diocese of Pennsylvania Church Records, 1759-1972, Ancestry, Accessed April 1, 2025, https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/62460/records/90643768?tid=&pid=&queryId=d509b5ac-c898-484e-bc7d-b92d106ef08f&_phsrc=OuO71&_phstart=successSource; “Joseph Rapin in the Pennsylvania, U.S. Compiled Marriage Records, 1700-1821,” Ancestry, Accessed April 1, 2025, https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2383/records/53834.
- “From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Rapin, 11 October 1801,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-35-02-0356. [Original source: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, vol. 35, 1 August–30 November 1801, ed. Barbara B. Oberg. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2008, pp. 436–437.]
- “Joseph Rapin in the Pennsylvania and New Jersey, U.S., Church and Town Records, 1669-2013,” Ancestry, Accessed April 1, 2025, https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2451/records/2020607831.
- Birthplace
- Unclear from Context
- Union Burial Ground
- Related Workers
- Madame RapinHousekeeping and Laundry, 1801
- Étienne LemaireUshers, Stewards, and Doorkeepers, 1801 – 1809