"Stephen Foster's brother Morrison entered the song for copyright on September 4, 1885, probably in anticipation of its printing in the Pittsburgh Dispatch, where it appeared on September 20. Although 'The White House Chair' was not entered for copyright until 1885, Stephen Foster composed the campaign song in 1856. The words of the song refer to James Buchanan's 1856 presidential campaign, and were first published in the Pittsburgh Post on September 29 of that year. Sketches for the words of the song appear in Foster's manuscript book on folio [65v-66v], following sketches for "Gentle Annie," also published in 1856." (Steven Saunders and Deane L. Root, The Music of Stephen C. Foster: A Critical Edition, vol. 2, Smithsonian Institution Press, 1990, p. 417)

This song is not included in Morrison Foster, ed., Biography, Songs and Musical Compositions of Stephen Collins Foster (Pittsburgh: Percy F. Smith, 1896).

The Gregg Smith Singers recorded "The White House Chair," on Stephen Foster Favorite Songs and V.A., Great Sentimental Age (disk 2).