White House Historical Association

Richard Davidge

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"Richard Davidge," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/642.
Position
Stables
Years in President's House
circa 1909 – 1910
Legal Status
Free Person
Gender
Male
Race/Ethnicity
Black or African American
Presidency
William Howard Taft
Biography
Richard W. Davidge was born in Washington, D.C. on September 10, 1882.1 He spent his career working with horses in various capacities as a coachman, groom, and hostler.2 Davidge began working at the White House for President Theodore Roosevelt sometime before 1909, although his exact dates of service are unclear. He continued to work for President William Howard Taft as a “hostler for saddle horses,” earning $75.00 per month.3 A newspaper article from 1909 detailed his role: “The center of attention yesterday afternoon was President Taft’s favorite riding horse, Greenbrier, a big bay, with the shekest [sp.] of hides. He was being exercised by Richard Davidge, head stableman for the chief executive, and a well-known trainer, having served former President Roosevelt in the same capacity.”4 The following year, Davidge appeared in another article, this time about President Taft’s cow, Pauline Wayne. The Wisconsin cow was set to arrive in Washington via train in early November 1910 and the White House sent a delegation to greet her. However, Pauline’s travel companion accidentally wrote that she would be arriving at 4:40 p.m., when he really meant 4:40 a.m. the following day. Davidge and a White House messenger named Robert Anderson were sent to greet Pauline at the 4:40 p.m. train. They questioned the baggageman if Pauline Wayne was onboard and he replied, “We have some sirloin steaks in the dining car, But that is about the best we can do for you.” Davidge and Anderson returned to the White House, “cowless and sorrowing.”5 Davidge does not appear on the 1911 Taft White House organizational chart, suggesting he left service by that point. He continued to work with horses for the remainder of his career. The 1920 Census and city directories consistently list him as a hostler working for the War Department.6 He married a woman named Pearl in 1913 and they continued to reside in Washington.7 Davidge died on September 10, 1930, in Washington, D.C.8
  1. The White House Workers History Project relies on the U.S. Census Bureau’s updated guidelines for collecting demographic data related to race and ethnicity published in 2024. Adhering to these categories, this project identifies this person as Black or African American; however, there is documentation or other evidence suggesting that they were multiracial or mixed race. It is important to recognize that historical terms such as “mulatto” and “colored” are problematic, as these reflect the document writer’s views and the historical period more than the individual’s preferences or identity. “Richard Davidge in the U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918,” Ancestry, accessed May 6, 2026, https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6482/records/24032989?tid=&pid=&queryId=39ffce00-914c-41bd-9f35-2c9dbc159e21&_phsrc=OuO1105&_phstart=successSource.  
  2. “Richard Davidge in the 1900 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry, accessed May 6. 2026, https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7602/records/7870697?tid=&pid=&queryId=39ffce00-914c-41bd-9f35-2c9dbc159e21&_phsrc=OuO1105&_phstart=successSource.
  3. Michael L. Bromley, William Howard Taft and the First Motoring Presidency, (Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, 2003), 381.
  4. “Mr. Taft’s Steed Out,” The Washington Post, September 6, 1909, https://www.newspapers.com/image/28793784/?match=1&terms=Richard Davidge.
  5. “Pauline is Due Today,” The Washington Post, November 3, 1910, https://www.newspapers.com/image/31566468/?match=1&terms=Richard Davidge.
  6. “Richard W. Davidge in the 1920 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry, accessed May 6, 2026, . https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6061/records/19697987?tid=&pid=&queryId=39ffce00-914c-41bd-9f35-2c9dbc159e21&_phsrc=OuO1105&_phstart=successSource.
  7. “Richard Davidge in the District of Columbia, U.S., Compiled Marriage Index, 1830-1921, Ancestry, accessed May 6, 2026, https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60261/records/149993?tid=&pid=&queryId=39ffce00-914c-41bd-9f35-2c9dbc159e21&_phsrc=OuO1105&_phstart=successSource.
  8. “Deaths,” The Washington Evening Star, September 12, 1930, https://www.newspapers.com/image/619021573/?match=1&terms=Richard Davidge.
Birthplace
Washington, D.C., USA
Unclear from Context