Mary Newell Giusta

Englishwoman Mary Newell Giusta was employed by John Quincy and Louisa Adams as a kitchen maid while they lived in London during Adams’ tenure as minister plenipotentiary to Great Britain.¹ She returned to the U.S. with them when Adams was appointed secretary of state, and in 1818, she married their servant, Antoine “Anthony” Giusta, at the Adamses’ home. Interestingly, they were married twice; once in a Protestant ceremony and once in a Catholic ceremony. Ellen was an Episcopalian and Antoine was a Roman Catholic.² 

Known by the nickname Ellen, she continued to work for the Adams family as a cook, later joining their White House staff as assistant housekeeper; her husband Antoine served as steward and butler. The couple stayed at the White House in these roles when President Andrew Jackson moved in at the recommendation of former President John Quincy Adams.³ According to Adams, “They lived two or three years with President Jackson; but could not abide his negro slaves and his savage temper.”⁴ The two never had children. They remained friends of the Adamses for years to come. She died in 1874 and is buried in Washington, D.C. at Oak Hill Cemetery.⁵