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Springfield, Ill. resident William H. Johnson began work for the Lincolns in 1860 and accompanied the family when they moved to Washington, DC, in 1861.  The White House staff shunned the newcomer.  Traditionally, White House staff were light-skinned African Americans and Johnson was many shades darker.

Concerned with the welfare of the steadfast Johnson, Lincoln wrote several letters of recommendation hoping to secure him alternate employment.  This letter to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles is one of those letters.  It is the only instance where Lincoln hints that his skin color might be why Johnson could not work in the White House. When his entreaties proved fruitless, Lincoln employed Johnson to stoke the furnace at the White House. 

Lincoln’s persistence finally paid off in November 1861 when Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase hired Johnson as a laborer in the Treasury Department.  Johnson remained at the Treasury until his death in 1864.

Generously donated by Peter Tuite in memory of his loving wife Claudette and daughter Christine.

Plain Text:

William H. Johnson was an African American man who lived in Springfield, Ill. when he first worked for Lincoln. He moved with the family to Washington, DC when Lincoln became president in 1861. He was supposed to work at the White House, but the other African American workers there did not treat him well. We know from this letter that it was possibly because of his dark skin color. We also know that White House employees were respected in their community, and they would be worried about losing their job to Johnson. 

Johnson was unhappy being treated this way at the White House, so Lincoln helped him ask in other government offices nearby if they needed another worker. This letter went to Secretary of the Navy, Gideon Welles. Welles did not have a job for Johnson at that time. 

Lincoln continued to send letters on Johnson’s behalf and in November 1861, he finally found a job. Treasury Secretary, Salmon P. Chase, hired Johnson to work at the Treasury and Johnson stayed there, next door to the White House until he died in 1864 from smallpox.  

Poll:

Would you rather:

1. Work in a place where you hate the job but enjoy your coworkers
2. Work in a place where you love the job but dislike your coworkers
3. Work alone
4. Work only with a partner you trust

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