Jacob Jacobus

Details of Jacob Jacobus’s early life are unclear.¹ In 1789, he was employed by George Washington as a coachman at the President’s House in New York. In this role, he wore livery, a uniform including a woolen coat, vest, and breeches in the colors of Washington’s coat of arms, white and red.² Jacob left the household on good terms but for unknown reasons. In December 1789, Washington placed an advertisement for a new coachman.³ Seven months later, Washington hired a new coachman, Arthur Dunn. However, Dunn’s work was unsatisfactory and he was fired in December 1790. In a letter to his private secretary, Tobias Lear, discussing Dunn’s unsatisfactory work, George Washington noted “Mrs. Washington’s predilection for Jacob is as strong, as my prejudices and fears are great. Yet in your enquiries after a Coachman ask something concerning Jacob–He wanted much it seems to return to us whilst we were in Philadelphia.” ⁴ 

In March 1791, Jacob briefly returned to Washington's employ alongside his wife, Katy Jacobus at the President’s House in Philadelphia. During President Washington’s tour of the southern states from March-June 1791, Jacob drove Mrs. Washington’s carriage.⁵ Details about Jacob’s life following this southern tour remain scarce.⁶