Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-10-25
An Interesting History Recalled by q
Bill i'm Equity.

HE S1OhH OE AALORAMAs
An Interesting History Recalled by a
Bill in Equity.
READING BETWEEN THE LINES OF OLD WILLS
AND DEEDs-THE OLD ROCK HILL MANSION
WHERE ROBERT FULTON BUILT THE FIRST
sTEAMBoAT-JOEL BARLOW AND HIS EVENT
FUI. LIFE-CONMoDoRE DECATUR's TOMB. &C.
It has been stated in THE STAR that Messrs
NJ. Ashford and John Ridout had fled for Char
lotte Bostwick and others a bill i'm equity
against Emeine ID. Lovett and others for the
sale OF kalorama, piece of land on the east
side of Rock creek. just north Of P street, ex-
tending beyond Woodley Lane road bounding
Rock creek on the north. Besides being a
place of great beauty, which is remembered by
many as one OF the favorite picnic grounds of
the past, it is a spot of considerable historical
interest.
This land is composed of parts Of Widows
Mite and Pretty Prospect. Widows Mite was
surveyed for John Langswo rth October 10, 1867,
and granted to William Langsworth july 5.
1856. In the latter part of the last century An
thony Homead was the proprietor January
20. 1872, H0lmead conveyed to Major Gustayus
Scott 3315 acres, embracing that portion of
Widows Mite on which stands the Old residence
and vault Major Scott was a man of means,
owning extensive lands in Fairfax and other
places in Virginia and Maryland, and was at the
time one Of the commissioners TO lay out the
city of Washington. He built the fine mansion
upon it, which still stands on an eminence over
looking the city, and building a wall along the
southern portion of it, skirting the stage road,
now known as Boundary street, named the
place Rock Hill. He occupied the mansion
only few years, for he died about 1900
Through his executor, Elias B. Caldwell, the
place was advertised and sold Two small
pieces of the property had been previously sold
by Major Scott, one to John Leland, now the
site of Lyons mill, and the other. which was
added to the paper mill tract, to Edgar Patter-
son, father of the late DR.. r. S. Patterson. On
September 81, 1903, MI. Caldwell conveyed. as ex-
ecutor of Major Scott, the tract, then containing
500 acres, to Col. VIM. Augustine Washington,
nephew and aide-de-camp of Gen. Washing
ton, and also one of the executors Of the first
President
ROBERT FULTON AT KALORAMA.
Hon. Joel Barlow, who had for some years
been abroad. returned to this country in 1905
and occupied the place. and his friend, Robert
Fulton, took up his abode there with him. Full
ton in an out building on the place made plans
tor the first steamboat and had it built. the late
Samuel Wells. a carpenter. doing the joners
work. and the late Jacob CoiclaZer, assisted by
the late Richard Jones, Gather of Major c. s.
iKthe mill dam on Rock creek, and the expert
ment was pronounced success. But WASH
inston on November 18th. 1907, conveyed the
property known as Rock hill to the Hon. Joel
Barlow and it became known as Kalorama, by
which name it has been called to this day. To
obtain more frontage on Boundary street some
additions were made by Mr. Barlow and additional
ground was also purchased by him on the north
ward. In August, 1909, Josiah Speak conveyed
to Barlow q small piece of ground, containing a
little over an acre. fronting on Boundary street,
and Mr. Holmead piece adjoining.
In the same month Mr.. Hoimead conveyed to
Mr.. Barlow piece of eighteen acres north of
the tract purchased from Col. Washington,
which was afterwards known as the Upper
Field. These tracts were bequeathed by Mr..
Barlow in his will dated at Algiers in 1897 to
his widow. Ruth Baldwin Barlow and by her in
will dated Paris, August oath. 1913. it was
beqneathed to Thomas Barlow, the oldest son
of Mr.. Barlows brother. Mrs. Barlow died here
in 1878, and her will was admitted to probate
August 24tn of that year.
Thomas Barlow on November 25th 1918,
conveyed the property, then in the occupancy
of Henry Middleton, to Hon. Henry Baldwin,
and May 5th. 1872. the latter conveyed one I'M
divided half of the land to Colonel Bomford,
and May 1lthth remaining halfto Colonel Bonn
ford, thus placing the title in him.
The adjoining land on the east belonged to
Thomas ". Paro. and ran in such close proX-
unity to the mansion that the fence became an
eyesore to Colonel Bomtord, and or January
14th, 1925 he made an agreement to purchase q
slip Of Mir. Paros land. which agreement was
confirmed by deed May Goth. 1916.
On August 9th 1888. Col. BOmford added
over thirty acres (part of Pretty Prospect) on
the north OF kalorama on the south side of Rock
creek-the deed being gwen by Walter Smith.
executor OF Clement Smith, July 10th. 1910.
This piece Of land was owned In the olden time
by George Beaii. and Uriah Forrest-nanes
familiar In the early history of Georgetown.
The present pending suit OF Charlotte Bostwick.
Emma L. Breese and Others against Antoine Is.
LOVett ct al recites that Col. BomfOrd conveyed
kaiorama to Thomas r. Lovett, trustee and
although not so stated the trust was for the
benefit OF Louisa Fletcher, the mother of the
parties. From Col. Bomford the property went
into the hands OF Mrs. Fletcher whose children
file the present suit for sale, &c.
Col. w. A. Washington, who purchased Rock
Hill from the estate OF Major Scott was son Of
Bailey Washington, and was born in Stafford
county. Va. in 1852 He served as an officer
Of the Continental army and was captured at
Eutaw Springs. After the close of the war he
settled at Charleston, S. c., where he died in
1910.
HON. JOEL BARLOW.
It's next owner. Mr.. Barlow, had quite q his
tory. and a reputation poet and author.
Mr.. Barlow was native of Connecticut, and a
soldier in the Continental army. Becoming
minister, he served as chap
lain in the army until the end of the war Hay
ing ready pen, he composed a number of
patriotic songs for the soldiers. Returning TO
Hartford, he embarked in the bookselling bust
ness, and established weekly newspaper. the
american Mercury. Then studying law he Was
admitted to the bar in 1855 In 17SS he went to
Europe as the agent of the Ohio Land COMPANY
and taking the part OF the French people.
wrote number OF pamphlets. He was APP
pointed the agent of the United States at
Algiers in 1897. and while there made the will
which has been mentioned. Returning to
Paris, he was joined by his friend. Robert Full
ton, who was experimenting with submarine
boats and torpedoes. and endeavoring to get
the French government to adopt them. Mr.
Barlow returned home in 1905.
Mr.. Fulton came here and. stopping with his
friend, Barlow, worked on his invention-the
application OF steam to prOpelling vessels
While residing here Mr.. Barlow had as his
guests Commodore then lieutenant) Decatur,
fresh from his heroic feats in the Mediterranean
and many of the leading men OF the day. In
1911 Mr.. Barlow was appointed by President
Madison United States minister to France and |
receiving summons from Napoleon to meet |
him In Poland. he started, but before the con- |
ference he was taken i'll and died in December /
1917, at Wilma, near Cracow, and was there |
buried. Mrs. Barlow, who had accompanied |
her husband to Paris. returned here about the |
close OF the war Of 1912 and died here in 1878 |
The will of Mrs. Barlow bears date of August |
34th, 1918, and bequeathed Kaorama to Thos. |
Barlow, nephew OF her husband for life and at |
Ills death to his oldest son. and in the case of !
The death OF Thomas without issue to Stephen |
Barlow tor life and then to his oldest son. She |
charged Thomas Baldwin with the care of the |