Nathaniel R. Francis
Cite this Page
"Nathaniel R. Francis," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/967.
- Position
- Custodian
- Years in President's House
- circa 1943 – 1950
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- Black or African American
- Biography
- Nathaniel Robert Francis Sr. was born on September 17, 1913, in Savannah, Georgia. (1) He later moved to Washington, D.C. and worked as a grocery delivery driver before beginning work with the U.S. Department of the Interior. By 1943, he was either assigned to the White House from that department, or had transferred to a role there. (2) That same year, he appeared on a Christmas list compiled by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. The 1944 staff roster provides some insight to his duties, which included cleaning the Residence and the East Wing. (3) He remained on staff through at least 1950, appearing on that year’s census as a White House laborer, but further information about his tenure is limited. (4) He passed away in 1971 and was buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Washington, D.C. (5)
- (1) Nathaniel Robert Francis 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: 78, Ancestry.com.
(2) Ibid; Nathaniel Frances in the 1940 United States Federal Census, Year: 1940; Census Place: Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia; Roll: m-t0627-00572; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 1-551, Ancestry.com.
(3) "Roster of White House Employees, Revised, April 1, 1944,"Folder: Investigative Case Files, 1934-1945, Records of the United States Secret Service, 1933-1945, Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, New York; "Christmas List for December 25, 1943 for the Men and & Wife & Children Up to 14 Years of Age," 1943, Folder: Christmas Lists; Topical File, 1933-1945, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt Papers, Part 1, 1884-1964, Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, New York.
(4) Nathaniel R Francis in the 1950 United States Federal Census, National Archives at Washington, DC; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Year: 1950; Census Place: Washington, Washington, District of Columbia; Roll: 5907; Page: 9; Enumeration District: 1-286, Ancestry.com.
(5) “Nathaniel R. Francis Sr.,” Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/249690589/nathaniel-r-francis. - Birthplace
- Savannah, Georgia, USA