George Beard

Information about George Beard’s life outside of the President’s House remains unknown. Beard briefly joined President George Washington on his tour of New England from October to November 1789. During this journey, Beard drove the baggage wagon. In 1791, George traveled from New York to join the presidential household in Philadelphia. He replaced Giles, an enslaved postilion who suffered a severe injury on Washington’s tour of the southern states from March to June 1791.¹ 

Beard worked as a postilion, or person who rides a harnessed horse that also pulls the coach. In his role as a postilion, he would have worn livery, a uniform including a woolen coat, vest, and breeches in the colors of Washington’s coat of arms: white and red.² According to one account, Beard “was used as assistant coachman or postilion as needed, and also frequently drove Mrs. Washington’s carriage.”³