NATCHEZ — Jessie Winston had to wait a few years before getting a letter from the White House.

When the Natchez native was born, only 27 presidents had been sworn into office. Had he been born three years earlier, Winston’s first presidential connection might have happened on the bluffs of the Mississippi River when President Howard Taft visited Natchez in 1909.

Instead, Winston has lived 106 more years and witnessed 17 more presidents before hearing from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

When the postal carrier came to Winston’s house on Jan. 3, Winston was not looking for a birthday surprise. He had already celebrated his 106th birthday with family and friends on Dec. 25.

But when his daughter Helen Winston came inside holding a large manila envelope with the words “White House, Washington, D.C. 20502” printed in the left hand corner, Jessie was in for a surprise.

“It was almost like he was having his birthday all over again,” Helen said. “He was so, so happy — very happy.”

The letter on White House stationary wished Winston a happy birthday and is signed by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.

“When I saw it I said, ‘Well I have made history now,’” Jessie said. “I had to wait until I was 106-years old to be famous.”

The letter came after Freda Lawrence sent a birthday greeting request to the White House to be sent to Jessie on his birthday.

A friend of the family who attends New Beginnings Missionary Baptist Church with the Winstons, Lawrence had sent a request in 2015 to Gov. Phil Bryant, who sent a letter to Jessie on his 105th birthday. The letter is framed and hangs on Jessie’s bedroom wall.

In 2016, Lawrence decided to send another request to Bryant plus an additional one to the White House, as well.

Bryant’s office sent another birthday greeting to Jessie before his Dec. 25 birthday. The letter from the White House came a few days later on Jan. 3.

Helen said her father is very proud of both letters, but especially the one from the Obamas.

“He shows it to everybody,” she said. “He walked down the street to show it to neighbors.”

In his 106 years, the longtime barber and former Armstrong Tire and Rubber Company employee said he can recall presidents as early as Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who he said helped pull the country out of the Great Depression.

“I can remember Woodrow Wilson and all of the rest of them,” Jessie said.

A picture of President John F. Kennedy hangs above his bed. Kennedy was the first president for whom he cast a ballot, Jessie said.

“Before then, (blacks) couldn’t vote for president,” Winston said.

As the Obamas get ready to move out of the White House, Helen said she is so proud that her father had the chance to see the first black president.

“I was very overwhelmed (when the letter came) and thank God that he lived to be 106 years,” Helen said. “I am so thankful that he was be able to receive a letter from the very first black president.”