James Wormley

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James Wormley (January 16, 1819- October 18, 1884) ^[1] was the owner and operator of the Wormley Hotel, which opened in Washington D.C. in 1871. Although James did own the land, he actually could not afford to build the dwelling. He made a deal with a very good friend to lease the hotel while owning the land. Additionally, James was NOT the only African American at the bedside of Abraham Lincoln when he died as if often claimed. The story claiming that he was is heresay. There is no proof that this is true. In fact, a quick visit to the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC will clear up the myth if anyone is really searching for the truth. Indeed there were swarms of African Americans visiting his bedside until he died and a final portrait reveals the few select people allowed to be with him in his very final moments. Additionally, a deeper look at the Wormley Agreement reveals that the agreement was actually drafted without James' knowledge prior to the meeting at the Wormley Hotel and was "finalized" at the Wormley Hotel during a period of time when James was not on the premises. The agreement contained many elements that James was actually opposed to and when he found out about the content he was quite vocal about his displeasure. This is all very easily confirmed with just a few quick internet searches. ^[2] ^[3]

The hotel was the site of the Wormley Agreement, which resolved the disputed presidential election of 1876, contested between Rutherford B. Hayes and Samuel J. Tilden.