Montgomery County sentinel., 1877-12-21
Death of an Historic Man.

We chronicle day he death, on the 10th
instant of one Of our oldest and most respect
ed citizens, George Washington Peter. His
ancestral and personal associations, no less
than his imposing presence and stalwart mein
and genial address, made him a conspicuous
one in our midst. He was born in Washing
ton city on November 49, 1901, but soon after
his father removed to their beautiful old fami
ly residence, on the Heights of Georgetown,
known as the "Tudor Place." where thessnow
only surviving child, Mrs. Kennon, resides,
and there the subject of this memoir was
reared. His father, Thomas Peter, was large
landed proprietor in and about the District of
Columbia, being the owner of several farms in
Montgomery county OF this State, where his
uncle, the late Major Geo Peter, and others Of
his near kin lived His mother was Martha
Gusts, one of the four grandchildren of Mrs.
General Washington.
There were several children cf this family,
but most of them died 10 early life. One brother
John Park Cuslis, of Montgomery county,
lived to raise a large family. One sister,
America, became the wife of Captain Will
liams, U s. A who fell 50 gallantly at Mon
terey in the Mexican war, and Mrs. Kenuon is
the widow of Com. Kennon, one of the many
notable victims ct the memorable explosion
on board the U S. ship Princeton.
The deceased upon attaining manhood en-
barked in the pursuit. of agriculture at his
fathers principal country seat in Montgomery
county known as Oakland, where he lived a
single life till past its meridian. Upon his
marriage in $40 TO Jane Boyce, daughter of
the late Roger Boyce, Of this state, and sister
of Capt. Wm. Boyce, U. S. A.. he made his
home again in Georgetown whilst attending
to his agricultural interests in Montgomerr
county. Subsequently in 1914 he removed to
the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, becoming
the proprietor of beautiful home on the
banks of the Shenandoah, known as "Shan-
non Hill" Whilst there he was appointed
by the will of his uncle, George Washington
Parke Gusts, joint executor thereof with the
late General then Colonel, Robt. Il. Lee
Reposng the most unbounded confidence in
| Col. Lee, and then being remote from the place
where this trust must be executed, he resigned
it entirely TO Col. Lee. More than once has
he told the writer how utterly false were the
calumnies that were several times attempted
to be promulgated against Gen. Lee, Of want
Of fidelity to this trust in regard to the slaves.
And when asked why he did not make public
his testimony, would answer "What respect
wonld be given TO my testimony by those who
couldn't respect the character Of such man
as Gen. Lee"
In the fall OF ls43 he broke up his home at
Shannon Hip and returned once more 10
Georgetown, and there remained till the sum
mer of 1856 Being then anxious to accom-.
plsh the education of his two sons and two
daughters without suhec,ing them TO the dep
rivalon Of home influences, and himself to
the loss Of their society, he purchased the es-
tate known as 'Lynwood" adjoining this
city, attracted thereto principally by its prox-
unity 10 the Patapsco Female Institute where
he educated his daughters. OF "Lynwood' y
he made for his family most beautiful and
luxurious but unostentations home, and there
resided until he sold it last spring to the Hon
Richard T. Merrick
His eldest son, Park Curtis, was killed in
April, 1861, by the explosion Of a small caH
non in the hands of some boys by the road
side, just rs he chanced to be passing by. The
remains of his eldest daughter also were born'
hence only few months ago, moistened By
the tears Of host of devoted friends. Sine,
then the deceased and Mrs. Peter have spen
the brief period in visiting friends an9 reviv
ing memories of early life, and had hut a few
weeks ago returned to live with their son-in
law, James Mackubin, near this city.-Ellt
colts City MAJ Times.