The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-11
A NATIONS NEGLECT.
Plans for Honoring Washington's Memory at
Wakefeld-A Memorial House.

WakefieId-A Memorial House.
Washington Critic.
It was several years ago that the public was
apprized Of the fact that although the birth
place and early residence OF George Washington
was located within few miles of this city,
nothing had ever been done TO commemorate the
fact Considerable interest was elected at the
time this was made known to the newspaper
reading public, so much, in fact, that the matter
was brought before Congress. 1t was urged
that the government should purchase the site OF
the birthplace and erect on tia suitable monu-
ment to mark the spot The idea was received
favorably in Congress, and small appropriation
was made to cover the amount of the purchase.
The matter was placed in the hands of the Sec
rotary of State and he detailed DR.. F. o. st.
Clair, the chief of the Consular Bureau. to ex-
anime the title of the owners of the site and to
make the purchase. DIR. st. Clair entered into
the plan heartily, and Immediately set to work
to thoroughly examine the title and to negotiate
for the purchase of the site.
Wakefield, which was the name given the old
homestead, in honor of celebrated English
manor is situated in Westmoreland county, Vir
GINA. some eighty seven miles below Washing
ton ana three miles below Colonial Beach, on
the banks of the Potomac the beautiful Potomac
that was 90 beloved by Washington. Wakefield
was part of tract that was given the Washing
tons by royal grant from the English king,
Charles /, in $685. in payment, the deed says, for
a certain number of pounds of tobacco and other
considerations. The deed Is on record in the
little town of Montross, the county-seat
of Wostmoreland When the tract was divided
among the Washingtons. part of it was called
Wakefield. and another portion named Hoy,
wood. The present Wakefield was inherited by
Miss Elizabeth Washington, who is now the
wife Of Mr.. James e. Wilson, and living on
Wakefield. When Mr.. st. Clair went down to
Wakefield. no trace of the original manor house
could be found but the legends and annals OF
the neighborhood described the house as a two
story brick and stone building, with an l..
The spo. where the house was said to have
stood was pointed out to Dr. ST. Clair, who SET
two men to work digging to endeavor to find
traces of the foundation and thus locate the ex
act spot After digging some three feet beneath
the surface, hard foundation was struck, and
tracing this out an outline was followed which
Tailed with the description of the house as the
annals of the neighborhood had it. AS the
legend goes, George Washington was born in the
second story of the L portion of the house, and
on the spot beneath this room stone had been
placed. Having determined the former location
of the old manor house and being satisfied that
it was correct. DR.. St. Clair made thorough
examination of the title and found it perfect.
He then offered Mr.. Wilson So, 900 for tract OF
twenty acres, but this offer was refused, the
land being finally bought for S. 800
The first appropriation of Congress being in
adequate and insufficient, another appropriation
Of $23 600 was made The location of the site is
about mile and half from the river landing.
1t is right on the banks If Popes creek which
sets In at this point, and which was probably in
George Washington's day deep and navigable
stream, and would be now were it not for the
southeast winds which have blown wreck. debris
and sand in there and filled mp the mouth Of the
creek. 1t was first proposed to dredge
the mouth of the creek and pro
tect this with breakwater, but the
plan was found to be too expensive and was so
abandoned. and instead 1t was proposed to build
good wharf below the creek and make drive.
way up to the house. The plans for the erection
of suitable monument to mark the site have
been made and the cost estimated.
1t is proposed to make handsome memorial
house, the drawings of which show 1t to be an
elegant affair. But no work has been done upon
it. no wharf built, not even a fence erected, as
the $23 900 is not sufficient, and 1t is not deemed
wise to commence work until an appropriation
of SIS, 600 is made which will be enough to do the
work handsomely.