The evening times., 1899-10-05

America recently loaned to the National
Museum a splendid collection of exceeding
ly rare Colonial antiques which has just
been mounted and placed on exhibition in
the section of American history at the Mu-
scum. Great care was exercised by the So
ciety in obtaining a complete and verified
history of each article, so that no doubt
whatever might exist as TO the genuine
ness OF the curios.
One Of these relics of the early days OF
the country is the first prayer book used i'll
Maryland The edition was printed al
London in 1e43, and the volumne on exhibit
ton was first used in Maryland by the Tay-
lor family, of Calvert county II descend
ed to Mrs. Rebecca Taylor Brscoe, lineal
descendant of the original owner. and she
presented it TO the Episcopal Library of
Baltimore. The book came into the possess
sion of Mrs. Albert Sioussat who generous
ly loaned il to the Society of the Colonial
Danes Of America, to be deposited with its
collection at the National Museum. The
book is well preserved.
Another interesting curio IS a silver
mace. This article is shaped like a round
Colony of Virginia by George / os Eng
land, and was up to the Revolutionary
used in the house of the Burgesses of Vir-
ginia. About the time the Colonies revolt
ed the mace was sold at public auction
and bought by Col William Heth, of the
Revolutionary Army, who was direct an
oestor of Gen. Henry Heth, the Confed-
crate general, who died in this city few
days ago. The mace was inherited by Gen.
Henry Heth, and his widow loaned it to
the society to be added TO its collection in
the Museum. The engraving and chasing
on the mace head is exquisite in work
manship, and among other devices bears
The figure of Neptune, an Indian chief,
and the coat of arms OF Virginia.
Mrs. General Heth also loaned for thi }
collection Il china mug which was given
to Colonel Heth by George Washington.
4 very fine sample of hand embroidery,
made by Mary Clare Carroll in 1888 and
loaned by Mrs. E. S. Beai to the Society
OF Colonial Danes is of much interest to
women.
What is believed to be the first land
patent issued by the Colony OF Maryland
is also exhibited This document is Oh
parchment paper, and was executed during
the administration of Governor Thomas
Green in 1911 1t is a grant OF the terri
tory known as Piney Point, Md. The pa
per was loaned by Mrs Albert Sioussat.
1t is stamped with the first seal used by
the Colony of Maryland. sEr
an inkstand of antique appearance at
tracts attention. 1t was originally the
property Of Hon. ]. A. Bayard, Minister to
Russia. who negotiated the treaty of Peace
with Great Britain. The ink used in sign
ing the historic treaty of Ghent was taken
from this inkstand. The treaty was signed
nhar ha hat of
Orleans was fought January s, 1916, be-
cause neither of the opposing forces had
bsen notified of the signing of the treaty
twenty-five days before the engagement.
A water jug of cracleware is also an in
teresting exhibit. 1t was the property OF
Jane Rolf, a granddaughter of Pocahon-
tas. The family Bible of the family of
James Madison, containing the genealogy
of his family is a well-preserved volume,
and near il in the case are thirteen auto
graph letters and documents from the fol-
lowing signers of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence: Wythe, Harrison. Jefferson,
Braxton, Nelson, Lee. Gerry, Ellery Han
cock, Huntington, Hopkins, Floyd and
Sherman.
A walnut chair with silken braided
cushion on it, in a good state OF preserva-
ton, is noticeable among the articles in
the collection. Ii was originally owned
uSSu Ds bSHgdLlIi lne
and grandmother of two Presidents
of the United States.
In the case also are autograph letters
from Dolly Madison and James Madison,
and a letter written by Patrick Henry for
his brother, John Henry. There is also an
invitation from Thomas Jefferson to a Mr..
Huntington to dine with him at Monticello
A permit issued by Governor Dunmore
of Virginia, to bearer" to go to the Eas-
tern Shore to procure food, ana return,
dated December IA. 1775, is among the ex-
hlbits, and nearby is a coat worn by Lord
Fairfax of Virginia. 1t is green damask,
heavily trimmed with gold braid. A gravy
dish and silver dish once owned by Chief
Justice John Marshall is an exhibit. and
near them are a salcellar and toilet bot
tie brought from Mount Vernon and
pewter plate and dish of colonial date. A
bellows, that formerly belonged to Eliza
beth Bradford, who died in 1870, and who
was a direct descendent of Governor Will
liam Bradford, of the Mayfiower, is also
an interesting curio.