Samuel M. Biggs
Cite this Page
"Samuel M. Biggs," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/836.
- Position
- Gardener
- Years in President's House
- circa 1929 – 1937
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- White
- Biography
- Samuel Maurice Biggs, better known as Sam, was born on February 8, 1899, in Washington, D.C. (1) Biggs was a laborer for the Office of Public Buildings and Parks, and from at least 1929 to 1937, he was assigned to the White House. (2) He is listed as a laborer and yardman on First Lady Lou Hoover’s annual Christmas lists, suggesting that he performed manual labor on the grounds. (2) In 1937, he was photographed mowing the White House Lawn; the photo caption identifies him as a gardener at the Executive Mansion. (3) He may have worked at the White House earlier or later than those dates, but documentation is scarce. He died on December 20, 1977. (4)
- (1) Samuel Maurice Biggs in the U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards For District of Columbia, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 18, Ancestry.com.
(2) Boyd’s District of Columbia Directory (R. L Polk and Co., 1931), 253; Employees on Duty at the Executive Office, 1929, Lou Henry Hoover Papers, Subject Files, White House Christmas 1929, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library; Christmas 1930, Lou Henry Hoover Papers, Subject Files, White House Christmas 1930, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library; Xmas List 1931, Lou Henry Hoover Papers, Subject Files, White House Christmas 1931, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library; White House Employees, 1932, Lou Henry Hoover Papers, Subject Files, White House Christmas 1932, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library.
(3) Harris & Ewing, photographer. First sign of spring at White House. Washington D.C. The warm rain and mild weather of the last few weeks has given the White House a summertime appearance, Sam Beggs, gardener at the Executive Mansion, is mowing the lawn today. Washington D.C. Washington D.C. District of Columbia United States, 1937. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2016871194/.
(4) Burial information is incomplete. Samuel M. Biggs in the U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014, Social Security Administration; Washington D.C., USA; Social Security Death Index, Master File, Ancestry.com. - Birthplace
- Washington, D.C., USA