Etiquette for Home of US Presidents

The second in rank working for George Washington was Col. David Humphreys, who had been one of General Washington’s aides during the Revolution. He acted as Chamberlain, or Master of Ceremonies and established the rules of etiquette at the first United States Presidential mansion, and what would eventually become the White House in Washington D.C.– Above, a public domain image of Col. David Humphreys.

Bypaths of History

How does the cost of the secretarial staff of the incumbent of the White House compare with that of President Washington? That administrative functions and the consequent costs at present have vastly increased over, what they were when the first President carried on his executive functions, is illustrated in a comparative cost for their secretarial work. According to data received from the recent issue of the World Almanac, the White House staff, directly rendering service to the President, consists of seven persons, whose combined annual salaries total $57,200. 

It is interesting to note that two of these secretaries each receive salaries of $10,000. per year, the same as that received by the United States senators. The private secretary to the president, Grace L. Tully of New York, receives $5600. annually, and this is the lowest salary given to any of the seven personal attendants upon the President. In contrast to this, it is interesting to note the salaries paid to the five secretaries of President Washington, and also their duties. All five of these secretaries lived in the president's house and received their board at his personal expense.

The first and Chief Secretary was Tobias Lear, a Harvard graduate, who had been secured in 1786 as a tutor to the children of the financial end of the household, attended to correspondence, kept the books, and accompanied Mrs. Washington and the children. He managed on their shopping tours. He was paid $800 a year. The second in rank was Col. David Humphreys, who had been one of General Washington’s aides during the Revolution. He acted as Chamberlain, or Master of Ceremonies and established the rules of etiquette at the mansion. He received $600. per year. Maj. William Jackson, the bodyguard, always attended Washington wherever he went. He received $500. annually. Robert Lewis, a nephew, and Thomas Nelson, a son of a Virginia governor, were the two personal Social Secretaries. They each received $300. per year. – Guy S Allison San Pedro News Pilot, March 1945

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