Evening star., 1895-10-24
THE BLAIR MANSION,
one OF the Historic Homes of the City
and It's Occupants.

and It's Occupants.
The old Blair mansion, No. 1851 Pennsyl-
vsnia Avenue. is one of the most famous
of the old historic homes in this city. Sew
eral generations have enjoyed its hospitali-
ties. 1t was built in 1SD. by DIR. Joseph
Lowell, then surgeon general of the army.
who occupied it until his death, in 1896.
Soon after the death of DIR. Lowell the
mansion was purchased by Francis Preston
Blair. ST., from the Lowell estate. and he
resided there during the years he filled the
position of editor of the Globe, the demo-
cratic organ of that period His death oc-
Cured at his country seat, Silver Springs,
Montgomery county. Md, October, 1876, at
the advanced age of eighty-five.
His son, Francis Preston Blair. jr., was
born in Lexington KY, February 10. 1921,
but spent his early youth in the old home.
The mansion was leased to the late George
Bancroft during his term Secretary of
the Navy, from 1915 to 1916. In 1916 Mr..
Bancroft resigned the portfolio of the
Navy Department to go abroad minister
to England
The next distinguished occupant of this
historic house was John T. Mason, who
succeeded Mr.. Bancroft as Secretary of the
Navy in 1915 retaining the position until
the end of the presidential term.
During the latter part of his administra-
tion Gen. Taylor appointed Thomas Ewing
of Ohio Secretary of the Interior and to
him the Blair mansion was leased. He was
Ewing. both of whom won distinction dur
ing the late war. General Thomas Ewing
also filled several diplomatic positions. Sec
retary Ewing. after the death of his friend.
liam Tecumseh Sherman whose youth was
spent with the Ewing family in this house.
Secretary Ewing used his influence and had
Cump Sherman, as he was Familiarity
Point He afterward served with distinc-
tion In the Mexican war. and later was
sent to California to meet Kearney's expe-
dition across the plains. He was then first
lieutenant of the third artillery On return.
ing, Lieutenant William Tecumseh Sher-
man married Miss Ellen Boyle, the only
daughter of Secretary Ewing
dra ane me-, ceremony @ TOOK place in the large
Father James Rider. president of George
town College. officiating. It was a very
brilliant affair. at which were present Presi-
dent Taylor and his entire cabinet, of
which Secretary Ewing was a member:
Senators Clay, Webster, Mr.. Calhoun. Jef-
ferson Davis. Stephen A. Douglas. members
OF tne army ana navy, and hosts of notable
people resident in Washington.
In 1850 Thomas Corwin, who was Presf-
dent Fillmore's Secretary of the Treasury,
occupied the Blair mansion.
since 1888 the house has been occupied by
the family Of Montgomery Blair the latter
belng son of Francis Preston Blair and
Blair
descendants of the late Montgomery Blair,
who are DIR. and Mrs. S. o. Richey (the
latter was Miss Minna Bair) Mr.. Wood
Jury Blair, and Mr.. and Mrs. Montgomery
Blair The latter was Miss Edith Draper.
the daughter OF William F. Draper of
Hopedale. Mass, and whose marriage was
one OF the social events of the past winter.
Qn the walls of the house hang the por-
traits of Levi Woodbury.. father of Mrs.
Montgomery Blair; Dolly Quincy, who was
Mrs. Hancock, and her sister Eliza beth.
VINO was the great-grandmother of Mrs.
Montgomery Blair; also of Judith Cary BeiI.
by Copley, who was the great-grandmother
OF Montgomery Blair, and one of G. "
FOX, assistant secretary of the navy during
the war, and brother-in-law of. Mrs Blair
and of Francis Preston Blair and Mr. Mont,
gomery BLAIR and others. K. T. NJ