Charles Porter
Cite this Page
"Charles Porter," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/295.
- Position
- Valet
- Years in President's House
- 1849
- Legal Status
- Enslaved Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- Black or African American
- Presidency
- Zachary Taylor
- Biography
- Charles Porter was an enslaved body servant to President Zachary Taylor. He died while working at the White House in 1849 from an “epileptic fit” or “apoplexy” though it was originally attributed to cholera.1 Newspapers called him “a worthy man and a great favorite of General Taylor, having been his constant companion through the Florida and Mexican campaigns.”2 Further information about his life is unclear.
- “News of the Day,” Alexandria Gazette, August 1, 1849.
- “Death of Charles,” Herald of the Times, August 16, 1849.
- Birthplace
- Unclear from context
- Unclear from context
- Related Workers
- Thomas Strothercirca 1849 – 1850
- Dicycirca 1849 – 1850
- Jane Webbcirca 1849 – 1850
- William Webbcirca 1849 – 1850
- Caroline Webbcirca 1849 – 1850
- William OldhamValets, Lady's Maids, and First Family Attendants, circa 1849 – 1850
- Related Association Content
- https://www.whitehousehistory.org/the-enslaved-households-of-president-zachary-taylor