Frederick Fletcher
Cite this Page
"Frederick Fletcher," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/705.
- Position
- Custodian
- Years in President's House
- 1918 – circa 1933
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- Black or African American
- Biography
- Frederick Fletcher was born around July 16, 1886, in Maryland. (1) A World War I draft card lists a former National Guardsman named Frederick Fletcher working as a laborer for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing – this is likely the same man, as Fletcher was later assigned to the White House from the same department. (2) He began on detail as a laborer/janitor in 1918, performing general cleaning duties in the Executive Offices (today’s West Wing). (3) He was listed on staff through 1933, but further information about his service there is scarce. (4) Fletcher died on May 11, 1947, and was buried in White Marsh, Maryland. (5)
- (1) The Veterans Master Index lists July 18, 1888 as his birthdate, while the draft card lists July 16, 1886. Frederick Fletcher in the U.S., Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917 - 9/16/1940. NAI 76193916. Record Group 15: Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 1773 - 2007. National Archives at St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A., Ancestry.com; Fredrick Fletcher in the U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. Imaged from Family History Library microfilm., Ancestry.com.
(2) Ibid; Employees on Duty at the Executive Office, 1929, Lou Henry Hoover Papers, Subject Files, White House Christmas 1929, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library.
(4) "Negro Employees at the White House Executive Office, and White House Garage as of March 31, 1933," White House Office Personnel, 1933-1935; Records of the White House Office of Budget and Accounting, Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, New York.
(4) Ibid; Frederick Fletcher in the 1930 United States Federal Census, Year: 1930; Census Place: Bowie, Prince George's, Maryland; Page: 18A; Enumeration District: 0030; FHL microfilm: 2340613, Ancestry.com.
(5) “Fletcher, Frederick,” Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), May 15, 1947, pg. 16. - Birthplace
- Maryland, USA