Martin

Information about Martin’s life outside of the President’s House, including his surname, remains unknown. 

Martin worked for George Washington at the President’s House in Philadelphia. He worked with the horses as a stable boy. He first appeared in household account records in May 1792, when a comb was purchased “for Martin.” In Stephen Decatur Jr. 's book compiling early Washington household records, he noted, “Martin was a white boy who worked about the stables in return for his keep. He was probably a recently arrived German immigrant.”¹ It is very likely that he was an indentured servant. Washington had other German indentured servants in his presidential household and Martin doesn’t appear in household accounts earning wages. Instead, clothing items were regularly acquired for Martin. In August 1794, an account entry noted, “Exp’s for keeping Martin in the work-house for misbehaviour 16 days.” It appears Washington paid $2.14 to the workhouse, or a correctional facility for those that committed minor crimes or misdemeanors, but it is unclear why Martin was sent there.² This is likely the final entry for Martin; however, an individual named Martin Kline appeared in household records in March 1795, earning $20.00. It is possible this is the same individual, but the last name indicates that this could be a different worker with the same first name. In addition, Martin Kline earned a wage, while Martin the stable boy did not.³