Biographies

Meet William J. Dilworth

HEAD BUTLER

William J. Dilworth came to Maymont around 1919 as an experienced butler who had honed his skills in other elite residences.

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Meet Justin Simms

SECOND BUTLER / VALET

Justin Simms was hired through a newspaper ad for an "efficient Man Body Servant" and served as James Dooley's valet. He stayed on as second butler after Mr. Dooley's death.

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Meet Abraham, John and Joseph Walker

SECOND BUTLER & CHAUFFEURS

Abraham, John and Joseph Walker, sons of head cook Frances Twiggs Walker, worked at Maymont during the 1920s. Abraham and Joseph both served as chauffeurs, while it is believed that John worked as second butler.

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Meet Frances Twiggs Walker

HEAD COOK

The work of the kitchen staff revolved around a rigid schedule with many deadlines. Frances Twiggs Walker, as head cook, would oversee meals on the large cast-iron range for seven to twelve people daily, and for hundreds on special occasions. 

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Meet Frances, Hannah and Mary Walker

KITCHEN MAIDS / SECOND COOKS

The Walker sisters, daughters of head cook Frances Twiggs Walker, worked with their mother in the belowstairs kitchen at Maymont.

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Meet James Lewis and Georgia Lewis Anderson

CHAUFFEUR / BUTLER AND LADY'S MAID

James Lewis served as a butler and chauffeur at Maymont, while his sister Georgia Lewis Anderson worked as Sallie Dooley's lady's maid in the 1920s. As lady's maid, she assisting with personal grooming, bedroom and clothing care, while also helping to cook and serve at Maymont when needed and do laundry on occasion.

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Meet Nannie and Alice Johnson

HEAD COOK AND KITCHEN MAID / SECOND COOK

Nannie Johnson and her daughter Alice worked on the kitchen staff at Maymont, following a rigid daily schedule while serving seven to twelve people daily, and preparing food for hundreds on special occasions.

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Meet Mary E. and Emma Harrison

LAUNDRESS AND HOUSEMAID / HOUSEKEEPER

Mary E. Harrison and her daughter Emma were likely both employed by the Dooleys as housemaids, but at different times.

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Meet Martha Netherland

HOUSEMAID

Martha Netherland was employed as a live-in maid at Maymont.

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Meet Fannie Waddy

HOUSEMAID / LADY'S MAID

Fannie Waddy worked as a personal maid to Sallie Dooley.

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