James A. Watt was born in Maryland on March 4, 1855 to Scottish parents. His father, James K. Watt, was a florist and gardener for the federal government; in 1877 he supervised the grounds at the Naval Observatory. His sons, James and George, both followed in his footsteps as government gardeners, and for a time, James worked with his father at the Naval Observatory.¹ In 1877, James A. Watt began working at the White House as an assistant gardener, serving under Head Gardener Henry Pfister.² He raised flowers and greenery on the White House Grounds, and in the adjoining conservatory. In 1902, when the conservatory was demolished to make way for today’s West Wing, the facilities moved to the National Mall near the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Watt’s work moved there, and in 1920, he was named assistant head gardener of the White House propagating gardens.³ He was also known as the official “bell ringer” at the White House greenhouses, because every day at 7:30 am, noon, 12:30 pm, and 4 p.m., he rang the historic bell to call the staff to and from work.⁴ In March 1925, James A. Watt retired. Outside of his career, he was involved with the Odd Fellows, a local fraternal organization, even serving as a grand master. He died on August 22, 1941, and was buried at Glenwood Cemetery in Washington, D.C.⁵

“James Watt,” Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/142869128/james-watt; Official Register of the United States (Government Printing Office, 1877), 244; James A. Watt in the 1880 United States Federal Census, Year: 1880; Census Place: Washington, Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia; Roll: 123; Page: 11a; Enumeration District: 044, Ancestry.com; James A Watt in the 1900 United States Federal Census, Year: 1900; Census Place: Washington, Washington, District of Columbia; Roll: 159; Page: 5; Enumeration District: 0030; “U.S. Worker Ends 56 Years’ Service,” Evening Star, March 5, 1925, pg. 7.
“Gift to Veteran Gardener: James A. Watt Honored by Public Grounds Associates,” Washington Post, March 5, 1925, pg. 9; Official Register of the United States (Government Printing Office, 1881), 384; “White House Gardener 48 Years, Retires,” Washington Daily News, March 4, 1925, pg. 2.
“Associates Pay Tribute to Gardiner (sp.) J. A. Watt,” Times Herald (Washington, D.C.), March 4, 1925, pg. 12; “White House Gardener 48 Years, Retires,” Washington Daily News, March 4, 1925, pg. 2.
“Old Bell Calls Workers at Propagating Gardens,” The Washington Herald, September 13, 1922, pg. 3.
“James Watt,” Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/142869128/james-watt.

Birthplace

Maryland, USA

Glenwood Cemetery

Related Worker: Henry Pfister
Gardens, Grounds, and Flower Shop, 1877 – 1902