Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-16

1t is not likely that the oldest house in Wash
ington, as the Burns cottage is known, will be
one Of the attractions at the Chicago fair. A
proposition to buy the house and remove ii to
Chicago, as was done in the case of Libby
prison, has fallen through. The owners of Van
Ness Park, where the house stands would like
to have the old structure preserved because
OF its historic interest. There is proba-
bility that the property will be sold before
| long and then it will be necessary to
remove the old cottage in order to make
way for modern improvements. The house
is considerably over one hundred years
old and ii has the further distinction of being
the only one of the farm houses that dotted
| the site where the city stands that remains.
The owner was David Burns, q Scotchman like
many Of the residents in Georgetown at that
early date. He cultivated his land, as did his
| neighbors, who plowed and toiled over the
land where the future capital was to be located
unconscious of the fact that one hundred years
later men would be found who would give
nearly as much a square foot for their farm
lands as they asked for them by the acre. The
Burns cottage seems to be a rather poor affair
| today, but no doubt when the old proprietor
was alive he lived quite az well as his neighbors
If not better.
DANIEL cARRoLL's MANSION.
Daniel Carroll who owned the greater part
OF Capitol Hill and was known as Daniel Car
roll of Duddington. lived in much the same
kind OF house as Davy Burns did. But when
his acres were honored with being selected as
the site, or rather portion of the site of
the nations capital, he concluded that he must
have a finer house. So while L'Enfant was
preparing his plan of the city MIR. Carroll
began to build quite an imposing brick house.
As 1t happened it was directly in the way Of
New Jersey avenue. Mr.. Carroll. as BETTING
the dignity of an original proprietor and also
as prospective rich man. concluded that it
was the place of New Jersey avenue to move
rather than his house. The irascible French
engineer came to an entirely opposite conclu-
sion and followed it out by the summary action
OF ordering the Carroll house to be removed
at night. This was done. There was also war
between the two men. LEnfant, however.
1T in modern phrase he was bounced, and MIR.
Carrolfs wrath was placated by having his
house erected In another place at the expense
of the city.
MR.. BURNS SIMPLE HOME.
Mr.. Burns, however, did not attempt to build
fine house. He lived in his home and tried
to bring up his son and daughter as best an old
and rather choleric Scotchman could perform
that duty. His son died in early manhood and
his daughter, Marcia Burns, lived in the old
homestead with her father. Mr.. Burns does
not seem to have left much of an impress upon
his times and if it had not been that he came
in contact with Washington and that great man
referred to him as that obstinate Mr.. Burns"
1t Is probable that his name and fame would
have been lost in the obscurity which has
been the fate of nearly all the original pro-
prietors Of the land included within the limits
OF the city. But this remark has preserved
Dayy Burns name in the uncertain amber of
history, and he stands out today as one Of the
men who actually had the assurance to differ
from the great Washington.
However, Davy Burns lands comprised
what is now the business center Of the
| capital. and while at that early time there
was not that high opinion of Pennsylvania
avenue property and street property as exists
today, still he managed to dispose of con-
siderable portion OF it at good prices, and when
Congress convened here for the first time in
the year 1900 Davy Burns, in spite of his
humble cottage near the river 'front.' had his
share Of the public regard and Difference which
even then was paid to men of wealth, for he
was a rich man and like other rich men he be-
trayed an unmistakable tendency toward grow
ing richer.
DAvY BURNS DAUGHTER.
His daughter was, therefore, an attractive
young person Independent of the fact that she
had fair, sweet face and was gentle and
good as she looked The Burns family had no
difficulty in being in the social swim of the
nations capital. Miss Marcia had always an
abundance Of admirers who accompanied her
through the woods when she went to make her
party calls. Finally her father, in 1909, died,
and Miss MARGIN being alone in the world and
being burdened with large real estate interests
| concluded to marry. She selected Gen. Van
Ness. q member of Congress from New York, a
young, handsome, dashing fellow, and he made
her good husband and became mayor of the
city, president of n bank, and one of the lead
ing men of the town. 1t was Gen. Van Ness
that suggested building new house, and while
| IT was being built the young couple occupied
house at the southwest corner of 18th street and
d street on Pennsylvania avenue. The new
house was grand affair for those days, and
even today 1t has quite an imposing appearance
II was built near the old cottage, and, strange
to say, both buildings are still standing.
GEN. VAN NESS PROGRESSIVE.
Gen. Van Ness ideas about developing the
value Of real estate were quite modern. While
the other owners Of city lots were for the
most part living mainly on hope and trying to
Keep W What they had until a big boom set in,
would improve them. BY this simple method
he created Q little boom and reaped the benefits
by selling of his lots ut good prices. They had
one child, daughter, who married and soon
after died. The grief-stricken mother retired
from the world and devoted herself to
works Of charity. 1t was due to her love
for the past, in which she lived for the
rest Of her life, that the old cottage was
preserved. 1t is said she spent part Of each
Il
been the home of her childhood She has left
| q noble monument In the Washington CITY
Orphan Asylum which was located on II street
between 9th and 10th streets. On the same
| square was erected the Church Of the Ascension.
the land being the gift of Mrs. Van Ness Be.
| tween these two buildings was the family burial
place, and here the remains of her father and
| daughter were laid. When she died in 1882
this was her resting place, and there Gen. Van
| Ness was inferred. A fine mausoleum was
erected to mark the place. In after years.
however, a. the city increased in size the
bodies were removed to Oak Hill, where the
| mausoleum now stands.
THE OLD HONE.
| The home Of Gen. Van Ness has passed
through many strange phases and in late years
the grounds have been used as picnic garden.
patronized chiefly by colored people. The old
cottage, a. the cut indicates, 10 now In rather
dilapidated condition. The sturdy chimney
which ID built outside Of the house. has
fallen in ruins aud the high, slopinG
roof, covered with shingles, shows Q de-
cided tendency to initiate the example
of the chimney and seek . resting place upon
the ground. The sides Of the house are COW
cred with clapboards, and each spring trailing
vines conceal the ravages made by time and
brighten up the old structure with their fresh
beauty. The cottage, in its decay, 10 in har-
mony with its surroundings. There 10 an air
Of melancholy about the entire place, which the
| evidences Of . past respectability and even
/ Qraudeur only carve To deopen.