Charles H. Foote
Cite this Page
"Charles H. Foote," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/384.
- Position
- Doorkeeper
- Years in President's House
- circa 1865
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- Black or African American
- Presidency
- Andrew Johnson
- Biography
- Charles H. Foote appears in government records as a doorkeeper at the Executive Mansion in 1865.1 As a doorkeeper, Foote managed entrances to the White House, greeted visitors, relayed inquiries, and ensured order and security during public receptions.2 No additional federal or local records have been found to confirm the length of his service, his early life, or his activities following his service at the White House.
- Records suggest that more than one man named Charles Foote lived and worked in Washington, D.C., during the Civil War era. While some documents may refer to the same individual, others appear to describe different men of similar age and occupation. This entry focuses solely on Charles H. Foote, who was verified as an employee of the White House in 1865. Every effort has been made to distinguish among these individuals; however, due to overlapping records and limited documentation, some conflation may still occur. Register of Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1865), 144; https://www.google.com/books/edition/Register_of_Officers_and_Agents_Civil_Mi/RxUZAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq="Charles H. Foote".
- United States Employment Service, Definitions of Titles (Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Labor, Manpower Administration, Bureau of Employment Security, 1965) 216, https://www.google.com/books/edition/Definitions_of_titles/xo-0cqua0zgC?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq="watchman".
- Birthplace
- Unclear From Context
- Unclear From Context