National Republican., 1882-07-08
HISTORIC RESIDENCES
MORE ABOUT EARLY WASHINGTON.
The Seven Duildings-Prcsldent Hadlson's House
The Forrest Family-Rtminiscsnce OF the
War OF the Rebellion--Chief Clerk
Fry and John Quincy Adams.

Among the earliest houses built in the Federal
Metropolis were the row OF houses on the north
side Of Pennsylvania avenue, between Nineteenth
and Twentieth streets, known rs the "Seven
Buildings" In the house on the corner Of Nine
teenth street and Pennsylvania avenue Elbridge
Gerry, of Massachusetts elected Yioe-Prcsident
Of the United States in 1912 with James Madison,
of Virginia, who was before the people of the
United States for the second time for the high
Office of President of the United States), lived the
whole of the short period he was In Washington,
he having died in this house November %, 1874
The venerable Mrs. Townsend, OF Boston, Mass,
who lately died in that city, aged % years, was
his daughter and the mother of General t. d.
Townsend, the late able and energetic ,Adjutant-
General of tho Army. Afler the White House was
destroyed by tine British,
PRESIDENT MADISON OCCUPIED THE HOUSE
while the White House was being rebuilt. Mr..
Frye, chief clerk of the Paymaster- Generals
Office occupied the house next door. Mr.: Frye
and President John Quincy Adams were brothers.
in-law, both having married daughters OF Cover
nor Thomas johnson, who was one OF Maryland's
most distinguished sons. Governor Thomas john
SON was born in Calvert County, In i7S2, From
the Continental Congress. He resigned from that
body for the. purpose of raising troops, of which
his friend, General Washington. In New England
1t was he that proposed that Washing.
ton should be made Commander.in- Chief
Republican hs Ay%s governor Of MsrylanS rr0m
1871 to 1913 he Associate Justice of the Su-
Judge OF the United States district court for the
State of Maryland. He was also member OF the
Bpard OF H Sd a iof his rside ee
Hill," Frederick County Maryland October 6,
1919, which had been his home for forty-three
years.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS MARRIED
his eldest daughter, Mr.. Frye married another
daughter, and Adelaide, another daughter, mar.
red Mr.. Heller OF this city. l was very we'll
acquainted with her, as also with her only dnugh
ter, Adelaide, who married Mr.. Moody, clerk
in one of the Departments, aud their chidren,
Adelaide and Theodore, were my playmates in
early childhood. Adelaide Moody married Captain
Aaron W. Weaver, of the United States Navy, but
moved NOV from the house, the property was sold and
purchased by Brooke Mackal, sr. Brooke Mackal
had been very prominent Democratic politician
soon after he came here he was appointed city
postmaster. He, with his large family, continued
is owned, am informed by the heirs Of Brooke
Mackall, sr. The third and fourth houses i'll the
WERE OWNED BY JOSEPH FORREST. ESQ,
clerk in the clerks Office of the District of Co.
lumbia. He married Miss Dulaney of "shoot-
ers Hill - near Alexandria, va. Heoccuried ons
of the houses, and his brother-in law, the late
| Commodore Dulaney, Of the Navy, the other.
After his death, in the distribution Of his estate
the houses came to his son, the late Commodore
| French Forrest, of the Navy. Commodore Forrest
| lived in the third house from the corner, almost
up to the time ofthe breaking out of the rebellion
| novel to his country residence "Claremont,"
| near Alexandria, Va At the breaking out Of the
| to surrender his commission in the Navy of the
United States that he had held for fty-two years
having entered the service in 1879; l believe he
| was conscientious in coming to that belief, and
right here would say that although there was not
| in tho District of Columbia more uncompro-
missing Union man than the writer OF this article
yet must declare that at all times and under all
circumstances have moro respect for the treason
that is open, manly, and proelaims itself upon the
4, tnt,t han n
| prolessed to sympathize with the rebellion, but
were too cowardly to expose their dear persons in
defense Of those principles.
COMMODORE FORREST WAS GALLANT OFFICER
| of the navy in the war OF 1912. He was in the
| naval engagement with Commodore Perry. also
| fought valiantly in the Mexican war. He was at
| and naval forces, aud the responsible duty de.
yolyed upon him of having the forces Transported
into the interior Of S Mexico; ii When iasr Virginia
| State, Joined the fortunes Of the Southern con-
| federacy, and was made an admiral in the con.
federate States navy. and given the position 10, of
commander in chief of tho naval forces of Vir:
| ginia, and commanded at Norfolk navy-yard, aud
was afterwards appointed to the command of the
| James River squadron and then acting assistant
| secretary Of the navy. After the war closed he
came back to the District to find his former home
| in the hands of strangers, 1t having been sold
| under the contscation act and
PURCHASED by HON. ALFRED ELY,
| formerly member of Congress from New York
who was captured by the rebels and carried to
1
uer until he was exchanged by special rarge-
ment for the Hon. Chas. Faulkner, our former min
is,er to France, who had been arrested in New
York on his arrival from Europe for being rebel
Commodore Forrest died in Georgetown, ID. c., De-
cember o. 1856 of typhoid fever, in the list year
of his age He was kind and atectionate hus-
band and father, true and sincere friend, and he
was beloved by all who knew him. After his
| death his son, the Rev. Douglas +. Forrest
| ID. D., brought suit in the courts Of the United
States for possession OF the property; which after
long and tedious suit he recovered. In 1884 the
| Vice President of the United States the Charge
dAtfaires ofthe Netherlands and the First Auditor
| of the Treasury lived at the Seven Buildings"
| and the Secretary of War directly opposite, but
| am unable to state what houses i'll the row they
| occupied.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE PAST GLoRIEs
of the seven buildings, and in bringing this arti
| Gle to a close, l desire to return my grateful
| thanks to Captain j. Godsborough Bruf, the ven.
| erable and talented draughtsman and artist OF
the architects office of the Treasury. for the val
liable inform alton and assistance he has rendered
me in tho preparation of this and other articles
| from my pen that have appeared from time to
| time in the columns of your valuable paper, and
1t is matter of pride to Captain Bruif friends TO
| know that when he leaves this stage of action to
| meet the "grcat unknown" the mantle of his art
| will have fallen upon his children and grand
children, who have already exhibited the greatest
| love for art in all its branches. r. f. K,
| GaribaIdi's Island.
| There may be more prosperous future in store