Samuel C. Jackson
- Positions
- Messenger
- Doorkeeper
- Custodian
- Years in President's House
- 1909 – 1951
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- Black or African American
- Biography
Samuel C. Jackson was born in Campbell County, Virginia on December 27, 1875.1
He joined the White House staff when William Howard Taft was Inaugurated in 1909 as part of the Federal Public Buildings and Grounds Service.2 He embarked on a forty-two year White House career spanning several roles, including doorman, messenger, and custodian, “helping White House visitors, including commoners and royalty, with the same courteous treatment.” His son, Arthur, also worked as a doorman on staff.3 In 1950, Harry S. Truman presented Jackson with an autographed dollar bill in recognition of forty-one years of service. He retired the following year.4
Outside of his White House career, Samuel C. Jackson and his wife, Eliza, lived at 1513 T Street in Washington D.C.’s U Street Corridor. They often hosted friends and family, including Eliza’s cousin Carter G. Woodson – known today as the “father of Black history.”4 At the time, many African-American performers were not welcome at local hotels so Jackson hosted entertainers such as the Mill Brothers at his home.5 He was also a deacon at Shiloh Baptist Church, a founding member of the Midway Civic Association, and father to eight children.6
Jackson died on December 30, 1963, and was buried at National Harmony Memorial Park in Landover, Maryland.7
Thank you to the family of Samuel C. Jackson for providing research assistance with this biography.
- “Samuel C. Jackson,” Ancestry, https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/156746791/person/352064310222/facts; “Samuel C. Jackson, 88, Served 7 Presidents,” Baltimore Afro-American (Baltimore, MD), January 7, 1964, pg. 19; Jackson’s middle name differs between documentation; sometimes it is “Carter,” or “Clarbron.”
- Samuel Jackson in 1920 Federal Census, Year: 1920; Census Place: Washington, Washington, District of Columbia; Roll: T625_210; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 182, Ancestry.com.
- “Mr. Jackson Says Goodbye,” New York Times, January 3, 1951, pg. 18; “Harry Hails,” The Afro-American, April 8, 1950, pg. 20; “Quits White House Job,” Kansas City Times, January 3, 1951, pg. 9.; Arthur Washington Jackson in the U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards For District of Columbia, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 115, Ancestry.com.
- “Quits White House Job,” Kansas City Times, January 3, 1951, pg. 9.
- Jackson Family email to author, July 24, 2026.
- Jackson Family email to author, July13, 2026.
- “Died,” Jet, January 23, 1964, pg. 50; “Samuel C. Jackson, 88, Served 7 Presidents,” Baltimore Afro-American (Baltimore, MD), January 7, 1964, pg. 19.
- Birthplace
- Campbell County, Virginia, USA
- Burial Place
- National Harmony Memorial Park
- Blue markers indicate birthplaces and green markers indicate burial places. Black markers are used for places of both birth and burial.