Samuel Osgood House (New York City)
Encyclopedia
The Samuel Osgood House, also known as Walter Franklin House, was a house at 1 Cherry Street in Manhattan
. It served as the first Presidential Mansion, housing George Washington
, his family, and household staff, from April 23, 1789 until February 23, 1790, during the 21 months that New York City
was the national capital.
Its owner, Samuel Osgood
, was a Massachusetts politician and lawyer, who married Maria Bowne Franklin, widow of Walter Franklin, the New York merchant who built it in 1770. Washington moved in a week before his April 30, 1789 inauguration as first President of the United States
. In addition to living quarters, the Osgood House contained the President's private office (the equivalent of the Oval Office
) and the public business office (the equivalent of the West Wing
), making it the first seat of the executive branch of the federal government.
The Samuel Osgood Papers, at the New York Historical Society, list purchases made to prepare the mansion for Washington occupancy.
Steward Samuel Fraunces
, former owner of nearby Fraunces Tavern
, managed a household staff of more than 20, including wage workers, indentured servants, and enslaved servants. Slavery was legal in New York, and Washington brought seven enslaved Africans from Mount Vernon to work in his presidential household: William Lee
, Christopher Sheels
, Giles, Paris, Austin, Moll, and Oney Judge
.
Two of Martha Washington's grandchildren were part of the First Family: Nelly Custis
(b. 1779) and "Wash" Custis
(b. 1781).
Soon after his inauguration, Washington became seriously ill with a tumor (possibly caused by anthrax poisoning). Cherry Street was cordoned off to prevent his being disturbed.
The President rented the city house for one year at an annual rent of $845, but vacated it after 10 months when a larger one became available. Washington moved to the Alexander Macomb House
at 39-41 Broadway, which he occupied from February 23 to August 31, 1790.
Under the July 1790 Residence Act
, the national capital moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
for a 10-year period, while the permanent national capital was under construction in the District of Columbia.
The Osgood House was demolished in 1856. A bronze plaque on an anchorage of the Brooklyn Bridge
marks its location.
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
. It served as the first Presidential Mansion, housing George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
, his family, and household staff, from April 23, 1789 until February 23, 1790, during the 21 months that New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
was the national capital.
Its owner, Samuel Osgood
Samuel Osgood
Samuel Osgood was an American merchant and statesman born in North Andover Massachusetts, parent town of the Andovers. His family home still stands at 440 Osgood Street in North Andover...
, was a Massachusetts politician and lawyer, who married Maria Bowne Franklin, widow of Walter Franklin, the New York merchant who built it in 1770. Washington moved in a week before his April 30, 1789 inauguration as first President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
. In addition to living quarters, the Osgood House contained the President's private office (the equivalent of the Oval Office
Oval Office
The Oval Office, located in the West Wing of the White House, is the official office of the President of the United States.The room features three large south-facing windows behind the president's desk, and a fireplace at the north end...
) and the public business office (the equivalent of the West Wing
West Wing
The West Wing is the building housing the official offices of the President of the United States. It is the part of the White House Complex in which the Oval Office, the Cabinet Room, the Situation Room, and the Roosevelt Room are located...
), making it the first seat of the executive branch of the federal government.
The Samuel Osgood Papers, at the New York Historical Society, list purchases made to prepare the mansion for Washington occupancy.
"I went the morning before the General's arrival to look at it. The best of furniture in every room, and the greatest quantity of plate and china I ever saw; the whole of the first and second stories is papered and the floors covered with the richest kinds of Turkey and Wilton carpets. There is scarcely anything talked about now but General Washington and the Palace."
Steward Samuel Fraunces
Samuel Fraunces
Samuel Fraunces was the owner/operator of Fraunces Tavern in New York City. During the American Revolution, he provided for prisoners held during the British occupation, and may have been a spy for the American side...
, former owner of nearby Fraunces Tavern
Fraunces Tavern
Fraunces Tavern is a tavern, restaurant and museum housed in a conjectural reconstruction of a building that played a prominent role in pre-Revolution and American Revolution history. The building, located at 54 Pearl Street at the corner of Broad Street, has been owned by Sons of the Revolution in...
, managed a household staff of more than 20, including wage workers, indentured servants, and enslaved servants. Slavery was legal in New York, and Washington brought seven enslaved Africans from Mount Vernon to work in his presidential household: William Lee
William Lee (valet)
William Lee , also known as Billy Lee or Will Lee, was George Washington's personal servant and the only one of Washington's slaves freed outright by Washington in his will...
, Christopher Sheels
Christopher Sheels
Christopher Sheels , was a "dower" slave at George Washington's Virginia plantation, Mount Vernon, who was owned by the estate of Martha Washington's first husband, Daniel Parke Custis...
, Giles, Paris, Austin, Moll, and Oney Judge
Oney Judge
Oney "Ona" Judge, later Oney Judge Staines , was a slave at George Washington's plantation, Mount Vernon in Virginia. A servant in Washington's presidential households beginning in 1789, she escaped to freedom in 1796 and made her way to New Hampshire, where she lived the rest of her life...
.
Two of Martha Washington's grandchildren were part of the First Family: Nelly Custis
Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis
Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis , known as Nelly, was the granddaughter of Martha Washington and the step-granddaughter of George Washington.-Childhood:Nelly was the daughter of John Parke Custis and Eleanor Calvert Custis...
(b. 1779) and "Wash" Custis
George Washington Parke Custis
George Washington Parke Custis , the step-grandson of United States President George Washington, was a nineteenth-century American writer, orator, and agricultural reformer.-Family:...
(b. 1781).
Soon after his inauguration, Washington became seriously ill with a tumor (possibly caused by anthrax poisoning). Cherry Street was cordoned off to prevent his being disturbed.
The President rented the city house for one year at an annual rent of $845, but vacated it after 10 months when a larger one became available. Washington moved to the Alexander Macomb House
Alexander Macomb House (New York City)
The Alexander Macomb House at 39-41 Broadway in Manhattan served as the second presidential mansion. President George Washington occupied it from February 23 to August 31, 1790, during the two-year period when New York City was the national capital....
at 39-41 Broadway, which he occupied from February 23 to August 31, 1790.
Under the July 1790 Residence Act
Residence Act
The Residence Act of 1790, officially titled An Act for establishing the temporary and permanent seat of the Government of the United States, is the United States federal law that settled the question of locating the capital of the United States, selecting a site along the Potomac River...
, the national capital moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
for a 10-year period, while the permanent national capital was under construction in the District of Columbia.
The Osgood House was demolished in 1856. A bronze plaque on an anchorage of the Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. Completed in 1883, it connects the New York City boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn by spanning the East River...
marks its location.