Harriet West

Little is known about Harriet West outside of her employment at the White House under President James K. Polk.¹ The James Polk Papers at the Library of Congress contain a list of staff members “to be employed at the President’s House” compiled in February 1845, just before Polk assumed office in March. West is included on the list and identified as the sole “House Keeper,” earning $8, presumably per month.² No records have been found from Polk’s time as president confirming that West worked there. However, other individuals on the list did end up working there, suggesting West likely did as well. 

West likely held a position of authority within the household and managed the maids. She is the second person listed among household staff, immediately after the Steward James Wilkins, and the only one listed as housekeeper, though there were several maids earning less money than West. It is unclear how long West worked at the White House.