Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-16
ADMIRAL PORTER'S HOUSE
One OF the wellEknown Residence.
and Its History.

The old Porter mansion, No. ITO H
street, is one of the old landmarks Of the
District with an inf Sesting history, dating
back to the early tWenties.
When President Al1aghs appointed the
members of his cabinet Richard Rush was
intrusted with the Treasury Department
portfolio, and Administered it's affairs from
1925 to 1929. Tt was during this period
| that the building NOW known as the Porter
mansion was built by Mr.. Rush and occu-
! pied by his family. s. originally 1t had but
two stories, with an attic. Various addi-
tions and improvemez1Ss however, have
since been made. Inc large, well ven
tilated rooms of the old style architecture
have kept the house popular, while modern
| improvements from time to time have
added to the comfort Of its inmates.
In 1916 Mr. Rush was appointed minister
to England with the late Benjamin Ogle
Tayloe as secretary OF the legation. 1t
was during his residence In England that
the three famous beauties, the Misses
granddaughter of Charles Carroll of Car
rollton, the last surviving signer of the
Declaration Of Independence. created such
a sensation. International marriages were
of rarer occurrence in those days. and that
each of these beautiful sisters should wed
an English nobleman became a matter of
history in the annals of Maryland One
became the Duchess OF Leeds. another the
Lady Stafford. Mr. Rush married cousin
of the Misses Cation, Miss Eliza Murray a
cousin also of James u. Murray. paymaster
of the United States army. She is also
reputed to have been very beautiful.
Contemporaries describe him a man of
courtly bearing, who dispensed the elegant
Inequalities Of his home in lavish man.
ner. The beauty, refinement and cultiva-
ton of his wife and daughters, aided by
his wealth, political and diplomatic
triumphs, stamped the social gatherings at
his home as among the most notable of
that time.
Hamilton Fish, while serving senatorial
term from the state of New York, was the
next occupant of the Porter mansion. 1t
was during his residence that the attic was
ball room added.
After Mr.. Fish the house became the home
Of the British ambassadors, the first being
Sir Frederic Bruce; after him, Lord Napier:
then during the Intervening years from 1853
to 1865 Lord Lyons was the incumbent. 1t
was then that the old home was the scene
of some of the most brilliant entertainments
ever given in the nations capital Fore
most among these was the grand ball given
in honor of the birthday of her majesty, his
social, political and diplomatic luminaries,
whose names have gone into history
through the association with the stirring
events which followed.
The old mansion then became the home of
Commodore David D. Porter, who died
about five years ago.
The old home is a handsome brownstone
structure of generous proportions, and built
In a quaint style that attracts the passerby
After the death of Admiral Porter it re-
manned unoccupied long time. The French
minister Paternotre leased 1t, and to this
old historic home brought his bride. the
beautiful Miss Elverson of Philadelphia,
where they have since resided.