Martin Renehan

Martin Renehan was born in Leinster, Ireland around 1810.¹ He served as a White House porter and doorman for presidents Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, and James K. Polk, and newspapers called him one of the “most popular individuals in Washington City.”² In this position, Renehan encountered diplomats, politicians, office seekers, and members of the public, all of whom hoped to meet the commander in chief. He was “intelligent, well bred, and polite” and enjoyed music in his free time.³

According to historian William Seale, Renehan “occupied the lodge room to the right of the north door, with his bed and wardrobe, in addition to the doorkeeper’s desk, containing the books in which he recorded the names of those who entered and left the White House.”⁴ Renehan passed political information and gossip to Martin Van Buren during William Henry Harrison’s administration. He continued in his position until 1848, when newspapers reported that “the classic porter of the President’s house has been superseded;” this came after Renehan requested a raise to his $20 per month salary.⁵ He continued to live in Washington, D.C. and newspapers indicate that he took a role working as a gardener on public grounds. He died in 1884; he was buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery.⁶