Businessman steward hotelkeeper
James Wormley was born on January 16, 1819, in Washington, D. C. , of negro parentage. Until his parents settled in Washington in 1814 they had lived with a wealthy family of Virginia but had never been held as slaves. The father, William Wormley, had straight black hair, and the children in the family were said to have grown up thinking they were of Indian blood. The mother was fair-skinned and was known locally for her beauty and kindly character.
At an early age James Wormley became a hack-driver for his father, who kept a livery stable in the hotel section of Washington. Later he drove his own hack. His integrity, industry, and straight-forward manner won the interest and confidence of his patrons, and he soon secured most of the trade of the two chief hotels, the National and Willard's. These early patrons included many of the leading public men of the day, not a few of whom remained his lifelong friends and benefactors.
While still a young man he went West, visiting California during the gold rush of 1849 and for a time working as a steward on a Mississippi River steamboat. He also served in a similar capacity on naval vessels at sea, returning to Washington to become steward for the Metropolitan Club when its first clubhouse was opened. His success in this venture encouraged him to undertake an independent business, and shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War he opened a hotel and catering establishment on I Street near Fifteenth, while his wife ran a thriving confectionery store next door.
Wormley's business prospered, and in 1871 he moved into larger and improved quarters at the corner of H and Fifteenth streets, the property on I Street becoming an annex to the new hotel. His establishment maintained a high standard of service and its cuisine had a national reputation. Wormley was equally successful as a caterer.
In 1868 he accompanied Reverdy Johnson to London to act as steward at the American legation and assure the successful entertainment of the British statesmen. While abroad he visited Paris.
His industry, ability, and business acumen brought him a considerable fortune and at the time of his death, he was said to have been worth a hundred thousand dollars. James Wormley died on October 18, 1884 in Boston, Massachusetts after an operation for kidney stones at Massachusetts General Hospital. He was interred at Columbian Harmony Cemetery in Washington, D. C.
About 1841, James Wormley married Anna Thompson of Norfolk, Virginia, by whom he had three sons and a daughter.
