Mary Kitt

Information about Mary Kitt’s life outside of the President’s House remains unknown. Mary Kitt worked for George Washington at the President’s House in Philadelphia. Her husband, Frederick Kitt, worked as the steward. She never appeared by the name “Mary Kitt” in Washington’s household documents. Instead, she was typically listed as Fred Kitt’s “wife” with no other name included. However, when her husband passed away in 1798, he left behind a will that identified her as “Mary Kitt.”¹

Kitt’s role in the household remains unclear. However, she may have assisted her husband in the role of housekeeper or servant, operating and managing the household, as this was common for couples in domestic households at the time.² She first appeared in the household records in 1795, but may have begun when her husband started in late 1794. Often the Kitts were listed together, typically earning a combined $50.00 per month.³ Kitt continued to work in the household until Washington left the presidency in March 1797 and then stayed in Philadelphia.⁴