Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-08-27
FROM THE SUSSEX Co. N. j., INDEPENDENT.
Trip to Alexandria, Va.
ALEXANDRIA, Va, July 10th, lsI

Trip to Alexandria, Va.
ALEXANDRIA, Va, July 10th, 1875,
MEssRs. EDITORS :-Leaving Deckertown on
the 10th Of June for trip to this city, | took
the New Jersey Midland Railroad, via New
York.
My first visit 10 Alexandria, was 10 1864, in
which year [ occupied farm, near by, in Fair
fax county. ln the following year [ settled in
Alexandria, where | lived seven years, during
which time | formed lasting friendship with
the good people of the town. A family afflc-
ton in 1873 caused me to return to NV old
home in New Jersey, but desire to zee valued
friends here, brings me back once or twice
year.
The city of Alexandria was organized l749:
and among its first Board of Trustees were
Thomas Lord Fairfax William and George
Fairfax. Lawrence Washington, William Ram
say aud John Carlyle, and 1868 Gen. Wash
lngtoh Was chose one OF the trustees. 10 l779
it was Incorporated as town, and 10 the fol.
lowing year Robert [. Hooe was elected its
first Mayor
Alexandria was General Washington's mar.
ket town. Here he attended divine service,
aud here is located the Masonic Lodge over
which he presided as Worshipful Master 10
l7SS aud 1889 Several hotels are still stand
ing in which Washington partcok of good
cheer, and among them that kept by Ten
nesson, where | always stop.
ln the days OF Washington the TeDncsson
House was known as John Wse's Tavern, and
az Aherts. Several times between 1854 and
| 1877 Washington diued at this house with his
Masonac brethren of Alexandria Lodge, No.
%, which, although nearly ready to celebrate
Its centennial Is as young and thrifty as it was
nearly hundred years ago.
lo 1899, after dung at the City Hotel, then
kept by Gad>by, Washington Witnessed from
the steps Of this hotel the drill of the Alexan-
dria Blues, military company, commanded by
Captain Pcrcy, an officer Of the Revolution.
In the "Braddock House" was held 10 l755,
the celebrated council Of the Governors Of Vlr
ginia, Maryland, Peunsyl vania, New Jersey and
Massachusetts,, with Geu. BraGdock of the
British army. At this council arrangements
were made for active operations against the
French and Indians, and on the 9,h OF July
toll:,wng, Braddock received his death wound
at Fort DuQucsne, Pa, while Washington was
the only mounted officer left on the field
Christ Church, in which Washington wor-
shipped, celebrated its centennial in 1878, and
10 defiance OF the changes of time the pew
which this great and good man occupied, dur
ing that year, still maintains its original shape
and form, and it is to be hoped will remain so.
Another old "lnstitution' with which the
great Washington was intimately connected is
what is known as Alexandria WASHINGTON
Lodge, No. % This lodge has been in exis.
teDce siuce 1888 In l7SS Washington became
its Worshiptu Master 10 1898, as a Past
Master of the Lodge, be laid the cornerstone
of the u. S. Capitol, at Washington city, and
10 1899, Lodge No. %, performed the Masonic
ceremonies at the fuueral of Washington.
During the late civil war Alexandria was the
first scene of operations The Federal troops
occupied Alexandria on the oath OF May, 1861
Ellsworth WAS killed at the Marshall House
shortly after the landing Of the troops, and the
killing OF Jackson soon followed.
As matter Of public interest am glad to
learn that the history Of the old lodge, with
biographical sketches of many old revolution
airy characters and others who We're connected
with il, is now 10 the hands of the publisher,
and will be issued to subscribers early 10 August.
This book will be sold for the benefit OF the
lodge and the fund derived from its sale ap.
piled to the liquidation of debt incurred by
the lodge rebuilding its hall, which vas de-
stroyed by fire 10 1871 Subscribers have come
10 from most of the States aud Territories, and
| hope Deckertown will contribute good list.
The Alexandria Gazette, one of the leading
newspapers of the State, is published here. II
was started 10 1900 by Sauuei Snowden, the
father OF the present editor and proprietor
But can't tell you, in single letter, of al! the
old and interesting institutions of this ancient
city, and shall reserve material for another
time, Before closing let me advise your read
ers to subscribe for the history of Washington
| Lodge, No. % VIM. H. Lambert, esq, cash
Ter OF the Citizens National Bank, has charge
of lis publication. Price So Send the money
to him ADD your readers will get book which
contains more matters of general interest than
most Of the publications of the day at double
the cost. Adleu: D. D. G.