Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-05-22

land included within the following boundaries,
to wit: beginning ut the Gum Spring. on or
near the line between Mr.. Peak and myself.
and running thence the strait road along where
the poste aud rail fence ran. 20 the Gate lead
ing 70 the Old Ferry House occupied lately by
James Dorsey TIL il comes 20 the corner OF the
fence on the road leading to the Union farm
barn. and thence along the fence aud road
leading TO said barn 30 the first waffle fence
made by ia. Dorsey lat which point il is my
intention TO put down poste). and then along
said waffle fence. rectangular or nearly so. TO
the lasssine to the creek. and so with the me-
anders of said creek. the river and Hunting
creek, including the fisheries and marshes, 90
the beginning. also give 70 nv said nephew,
John. after the death of nv said wife. all the
greenhouse and ho:-house plants. and tools or
instrument belonging 60 the gardens. 1 also
give 10 my said nephew. after the death 81 nv
SAID vile, all the furniture belonging. and
which at the time of my death NAV belong TO
ana be IN the mansion house. kitchen and other
houses mot before given 20 my Wlfel. in which
bequest, TO avoid disputes. 1 mean 60 include
not only the standing furniture but all the sill
yer and plated ware. cut and other glass MIC
lures. prints. table and bed furniture. and. in
short everything used and generally consid-
cred as furniture"
JOHN AUGUsrTN WASHINGTON
John Augustin Washington Was the son and
third child of Corbin Washington. and his wife
Hannah daughter of the Hon. Richard Henry
Lee, of Chantilly, Westmoreland county. Va.
tie was born in 1892. In 1914 lac married Jane
Charlotte. daughter of Major Richard Scott
Blackburn. of the L. 8 A. lie came into nos
session of the Mount Vernon estate almost inn
medlately after the death of his uncle as his
aunt died IN two days after the judge. BE was
residing at the time on an estate called
.'Blakely, In jefferson county, Va. Augustin
Washington had made a viii in September,
lS22 leaving all his property. real and per-
sonal. 10 has wife during her widowhood and
TO divide his estate among then children as she
might deem proper. 10 this will he. on the
sth of July. 1880, added a codicil, he having in
the meantime received the bequest of the Mount
Vernon estate from his uncle and providing
for Its sale to the United States should Com
gross desire to possess il.
He died on June l6. 1882. aged forty-three,
and his will was proven in court in Jefferson
county July l6 1882. In the distribution OF his
estate Mount Vernon was assigned 10 has third
child, John Augustin Washington on becoming
of age in lS4l. He married. in 1872. Eleanor
Love. daughter OF Wilson Carey Selden. esq, of
Loudon county Va. ana took up has residence
at Mount Vernon and resided there until
HE SOLD TIE MANSION
house and farm of 200 acres including the
wharf and tomb of Washington. to the Ladies'
Mount Vernon Association of the Union" April
g. 1858. The association was chartered by tho
state of Virginia March L.. 1876. TO purchase
hold, and improve 200 acres of Mount Vernon,
including the late mansion as well AZ the tomb
OF George Washington. together with the gar
den. grounds, one wharf and landing now con-
structed on the Potomac river: and TO the end
they may receive from the owner and proprie-
tor OF said land a deed IN fee simple" &c.
(Sectlon of the act of Incorporation Tho
said property herein authorized to be pur-
chased by the said Mount Vernon Ladies' Assoc
citation of the Union shall be forever held by IL
sacred to the father of his country: and IL
from any cause the said association shall cease
TO exist. the property owned by the said associa-
ton shall revert to the commonwealth of Nir-
glnia. sacred TO the purposes for which il WAS
originally purchased iSection OF ;he act OF
incorporation. This was the first time i'm tine
history OF this estate that II ever changed own
ership for money consideration; and il is not
likely II ever VIII again be disposed of or alien
ated from the affections of tie American peo-
pie. 1t Is now thirty-one years since the homo
of Washington came under the management of
the ladies OF the Mount Vernon association,
and 1t Is to-day vastly improved in appear
ance.
THE IMPROVEMENTS MADE.
Aphotograph before me. showing the tumble
down and patched-up appearance OF the eastern
portico at the time 1t came into the possession
of The regents, sufici ntiy recalls it, neglected
and rapidly dee aging condition. This has all
! been changed by the thoughtful attention and
active supervision and reyerential care which
the regents are giving to the preservation and
rtstOrdt4On OF everything AT MOUNT vernon
which was the creation and outgrowth of the
requirements and habits in the daily life of the
immortal Washington. The preservation Of
\ the home of Washington, the founder OF the
republic and of constitutional liberty in Amer
lea, is a beautiful and reverentigl thought. in
spring to patriotism, and is almost unique az a
| memorial IN history. The creation and embel-
| lshment of grand tombs TO famous pcrsonages
! is common TO all ages aud countries But
! words are wanting in some languages to even
! express the idea of the home as il exists
I under our civilization. The preservation.
| therefore. Of THE home Of Washington" and
1 farm at Mount Vernon. with much Of its fur
nlsnings and belongings as practicable, and
existed and appeared IN the daily life of him
/ who was First IN war. first in peace and 1rst
! IN the hearts of his countryInen,' is a noble.
| Spontaneous conception Of the free and inde-
| pendent citizen of the United States. The re-
| gents have high mission TO perform and arc
doing most important work in educating the
people IL a love of country, and, considering
| their limited resources. have accomplished a
wonderful regeneration, not only III the man.
sion. but upon the farm and gardens at Mount
| Vernon. and deserve the support and cncour-
agement Of the American people. J. NJ. Il.