John Hoban – Enslaved Payroll for the White House (Facsimile)

In 1791, President George Washington and city planner Pierre L’Enfant selected the site for the President’s Residence. By 1792, the White House’s cornerstone was laid and an architectural design by James Hoban was selected. Hoban’s payrolls, dated 1794-1800, record the names of 122 enslaved craftspeople tasked with building the White House including Arnold, Moses, Harry, Dick the carpenter, Kitt, Bob, and Gus. Enslaved workers hauled materials, sawed lumber, and also participated in bricklaying, carpentry, and stone cutting.