Evening star., 1898-08-06
AN HISTORIC HOUSE
Residence on F Street Orce Occupied by the
Late Dr. Miller.
A Locality Where in Former Years
Were Found the Homes of
Prominent People.

Within the next few weeks one Of the old
landmarks CT Washington viii have been
removed The house 1881 T street, which
is to be pulled down and replaced by
modern building is one of the oldest houses
in our city, having been built by Samuel
Bic dgett, one of the early land owners -.n
this city, for his own use. For some rea
sor Mr.. Blodgett changed his mind after
the building was completed, and disposed
of it to Dr. William Thornton, the first
United States commissioner OF patents, and
an intimate friend of General Washington.
Dr. Thornton's widow continued to live
there after his death, and the property,
which consisted of the old house, with
large grounds and garden attached, re-
mained in her possession until about 1S45,
when Dr. Thomas Miller purchased 1t from
her so that it has been in the possession
of Dr. Miller and his children fer more
than fifty years, a long period OF possess
SIGN in city like Washington.
For many years one of the most fashion
able sections of Washington was on F
street and 1881 was occupied successfully
by Senator Stephen A. Douglas Secretary
Charles NJ. Conrad, James Buchanan and
Secretary Guthrie. When Mr.. Guthrie
leased it he wanted more room for large
entertainments than the old house afforded,
though its rooms were of the large, old
fashioned order, so DR.. Miller put up on
the adjoining lot large building, making
connection between the houses, and many
a brilliant gathering of distinguished peo-
pie was held there.
Distinguished People.
After Mr. Guthrie left DR.. Miller deter
mined to occupy the old house himself, and
did so up to the time of his death, and f
The old walls could speak they would tell
many an interesting story of the distin-
anta under IFS hos
pitable roof. During the late war 1t was
especially marked as a southern home and
center. To enumerate the constant visit
ors and intimate callers would be almost
like making a roster of old army and navy
and cabinet officers and prominent diplo-
mats. Mrs. Jefferson Davis was enter
tained here one or two weeks whlle her
husband was imprisoned at Fortress Mon
roe and among the southern generals who
were specially entertained after the war
were Generals Lee, BeaureSard and Long
street.
communicating doors between that and the
adjoining building closed and the latter
(enlarged by an immense back pulioinS,
was rented to Senator Toombs of Georgia
1t seems strange now, to any one 1amlllar
with Washington as it used to be, 10 walk
along F street and try to recall the houses
and people they were in those DAYS.
The Ebbitt House was but smaii pullding
it's present owner, Mr.. Willard, and all
around were the houses of public men of
note and prominence. Mrs. John Adams
and her son-in-law and daughter, Mr.. and
Mrs W. c. johnson, with their little fam
lily, lived where now stands the Adams
building, Dr. Miller in 1881, Mrs. Toonbs
in 1929; Mrs. Cochran kept a fashionable
boarding house in 1927 where members of
FCongress and senators and their families
made their homes; in 1925 Mr.. Seward
lived, next Mr.. King and his family, and
next to them was the home of Schoolcraft,
the Indian historian, and his remarkable
looking wife; then came the home of Judah
p. Benjamin (afterward occupied by DR..
N s. Lincoln). and Charles Sumner had
his lodgings in this square.
Verify the air is alive with historic asso-
Citations, and the minds eye can recall the
familiar figures of Alexander H. Stephens,
Roger A. Pryor, Lord Napier Lord Lyons
President Buchanan and host of others
as they passed and repassed. After DR..
Miliers death r street was no longer
residence street and his family moved
away. renting the old home for business
purposes. and now they have, decided to
part with 1T forever. and the old house
around which so many memories cluster
will soon be a thing OF the past.