Winnie Monroe

Winnie Monroe was born into slavery around 1830 on a farm in Lexington, Kentucky. She was enslaved by members of the Webb family—close relatives of Dr. James Webb, father of the future First Lady Lucy Hayes. Upon the death of the estate owner, the enslaved individuals, including Winnie, were legally transferred to Dr. Webb. A committed abolitionist who never intended to own enslaved people, Dr. Webb traveled from his home in Ohio to Kentucky to emancipate them. He died of cholera before he could carry out his plan. His wife, Maria Cook Webb, also firmly opposed slavery, honored his wishes, and freed those who had been left to them. Winnie was a child at the time of her emancipation.¹ 

As an adult, Lucy Hayes and her husband, future President Rutherford B. Hayes, employed Winnie Monroe and other individuals formerly enslaved by the Webb family. Winnie remained with the Hayes family throughout Rutherford’s various political appointments. In 1875, as Rutherford Hayes campaigned for a third term as governor of Ohio—a role seen as a likely stepping stone to the presidency—Lucy Hayes wrote to their son, Birchard, that their cook, Winnie, was “looking to the Top of the Ladder,” pleased to report that their trusted domestic employee had high hopes for the family.² 

When the Hayes family moved into the White House in 1877, Winnie accompanied them. William H. Crook, executive clerk, stated that in his over four decades of service, there had never “been a time when the White House was so well served” than it was under Winnie. At the White House, she primarily served as the family cook but took on various roles as needed, including serving as the family nurse for their younger children, Scott and Fanny.³ That year, Winnie, Scott, and Fanny had a photograph taken together, marking an early snapshot of White House staff.⁴ 

Winnie initially returned to Ohio with the Hayes family after their time in the White House. However, following a brief stay after her retirement, she moved back to Washington, D.C., explaining that she could not be content in Ohio after having worked at the White House. While the Hayes family remained in Ohio, Winnie stayed in Washington with her daughter Mary, who worked as a laborer in the Register’s Office in the Office of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue.⁵ Despite living in different states, the Hayes family continued to support Winnie. In 1882, Mr. Hayes wrote to her with concern that someone might be using her name to solicit money, as he had already been sending her a large amount over time and was surprised to receive additional requests.⁶ There is no record of Winnie’s reply. However, it is plausible that she was still receiving financial support, as Crook later recalled that Mary Monroe contacted Mr. Hayes for help covering her mother’s funeral expenses. Mr. Hayes complied, telegraphing Crook from Ohio to make the arrangements and send the bill to him.⁷ Winnie died on June 13, 1886, and was buried at Graceland Cemetery in Washington, D.C.⁸ 

Thank you to the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums (Fremont, Ohio) for providing research assistance with this biography.