Jane Imhoff

Information about Jane Imhoff’s early life remains unknown. Her husband, Fidus Imhoff, immigrated to the United States in the early 1780s from what is now Germany They married sometime before 1789.¹ 

In 1789, Jane and her husband began working for President George Washington. Jane served as a housemaid at both of Washington’s presidential residences in New York. She gave birth to a child, Johann, in January 1790.² When President Washington moved his presidential household to Philadelphia in November 1790, she left his employ. She was replaced by Mira Lefferts.³ 

A letter from Washington’s private secretary, Tobias Lear, reveals additional information: “Fidus’ wife is desireous of going to Philadelphia; but her situation will not permit her to do service in the family after she gets there; and she does not think she shall come into the family again when her circumstances might permit; for she says she finds herself, in point of constitution, unequal to the services which a woman in her station should perform in this family, and her father who lives in Jersey has promised to assist her with something. She has been a faithful and industrious servant since her residence in the family, and Fidus has not his superior, upon every account, in his station; I would therefore (unless you think proper to direct otherwise) permit her to go in the Vessel with the servants, but she will not be upon wages after this month, and when she gets to Philadelphia she will provide for herself.”⁴ Her husband continued to work for the Washingtons until March 1793. 

By 1795, they were back living in New York, where she gave birth to another child, Jeany.⁵ Additional information about her later life and death remains unknown.