Presidential Households
George Washington got to know Fraunces during the Revolutionary War. Their relationship was one of master and servant, but Washington clearly respected his judgment and repeatedly sought his advice on sundries such as glassware and china, and his recommendations on household management and hiring servants.
Washington was Congress's unanimous choice to serve as the first President of the United States. He arrived in New York City on April 23, 1789, and took up residence at the Samuel Osgood House at Cherry & Franklin Streets. Fraunces came out of retirement to serve as steward of the presidential household, managing a staff of about 20, including 7 enslaved Africans from Mount Vernon. Washington was not entirely satisfied with Fraunces, dismissing him in February 1790 when the household moved to the Alexander Macomb House at 39-41 Broadway.
Under the July 1790 Residence Act, the national capital moved to Philadelphia for a 10-year period while the permanent capital was under construction in the District of Columbia. Washington grew dissatisfied with the steward in Philadelphia, and persuaded Fraunces to come out of retirement again. The household staff at the Philadelphia President's House was slightly larger, about 24 servants, initially including 8 enslaved Africans from Mount Vernon. Fraunces headed it for three years, from June 1791 to June 1794.
Following his retirement, he operated a tavern on 2nd Street in Philadelphia for a year. In July 1795 he assumed proprietorship of the nearby Tun Tavern on Water Street.
Read more about this topic: Samuel Fraunces
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