A note from Calvin Coolidge to Ellen Riley: undated.

Ellen Riley was the chief White House housekeeper. Starting in 1926, Riley had taken over the position from Elizabeth Jaffray, who had been at the White House since the Taft administration. Grace said of Mrs. Jaffray, “She had come to consider herself the permanent resident and the President and his family transients.” Mrs. Jaffray rode in her brougham and spent extravagantly on food. Miss Riley was recommended as replacement by Coolidge’s political confidant, Frank Stearns. She had previously worked at R. H. Stearns department store. Miss Riley was more frugal than Mrs. Jaffray, a quality Coolidge held in high regard. Her $2550.71 savings in the White House household budget was, per Coolidge, a “very fine improvement.”