The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-27
OLD Time GEORGETOWN
"reminiscences of the First Half of
the Nineteenth Century.
Picturesque Landmarks Tint Tell of
the GIorics of the Past-Monterey.
the Brooke Williams Residence
Occupied by Sir Joseph Champion.

: Occupied by Sir Joseph CHAMPION.
Georgetown, even in my day, many
years ago, was a picturesque place,
said an old iuhabitant of that locality the
r other day. Il have often seen the au-
thor of the Star Spangled Banner he
continued emerge from his domicle by
the Aqueduct, and go for a pensive ram
BILE, as was his custom of an afternoon.
Very dear to the eye of that sweet sing
er of piety and patriotism were the
many landmarks that doomed impressive
ly above the river mIsts.
THE Little Falls, three miles up the
river, then a great resort for fishing and
picknicking parties; Analostan Island al
fording leafy glimpsese of the fair Viz
ginia shore, and of flashing sails in the
the channel, and on the other shore the
historic heights of Arlington, the spires
and homes Of Alexandria, were all among
his chosen views. Close, too. were Rock
Creek and Piney Branch. To the East
ward was ''Kalorama" the once beausi-
full seat of Joel Barlow, patriot, poet,
philosopher, whose congenial guest and
friend, Robert Fulton, launched his pro-
phctic kettle on Rock Greek. Here, also,
reposed the remains of Decatur after the
fatal duel with Barron.
Between the convent and the creek the
heights were crowned with the mansions of
prosperous and influential citizens whose
names are still recalled by cid residents.
Monterey, the loTdly seat of the Lin
thicums, occupied by Mr.. Calhoun, then
Secretary Of War. Tudor Place, the gar
den home of Thomas Peter, notable in the
annals of Georgetown, and the stored res
idenee of Brooke Williams, once tenanted
by Sir John Champion, British Ambassa-
dor, and later by the French Minister,
were among the most beautiful.
"A Characteristic feature of the time
and place was the Conestoga wagon.
freighted with farm produce from Penn
sylvania. ark-like under its long tunnel
Of canvas, and drawn by FIVE or seven big
horses, carrying to the coed citizens of
Georgetown and Washington, butter, eggs,
fowls. garden truck, sauerkraut, schmier-
kase, and apple butter, while hen-coop
hung at, the stern and an ill-favored and
unsociable dog trotted between the hind
wheels.
mo less characteristic and picturesque
was the pier. The landing place for the
lighter craft that piled between the river
landings in excursions of business or
pleasure. Hitler came the fishermen TO
mend their great nets, and the fowlers
with their ducking guns and dogs, and the
darkies. old and young, TO lend hand on
the fats, or in the blinds or the boats,
CT in the fish houses that 6snked the beach
at convenient points Then, too, there
were country wagons from all the neigh
boring counties. 10 convey the shad and
other fish to inland markets. II April and
May. of 1928, / have heard that Potomac
shad were sold on the wharves Of George
town for s. per 100.
1.-THE multitudinous feet of small craft,
bright brisk, and bustling. that fitted to
and fro between the fishing grounds and
the landings, the boatmen shouting sing
ing, bantering each other, impaired to
the beautiful river the aspect of festal
panorama.
I'm the late fall and winter nyriads of
canvas-baek ducks, then commonly called
'wiitebacks' came to feed on the small
white celery that grew so abundantly in
the swamps and flats of the Potomac. and
the Susquehanna. Formerly on James
River they we're known as "sheldrake,''
but their favorite provender failingthere.
they hocked TO the more b)unt.ful fields
between Craney and AnlGcstan Islands.
They gathered in clouds of thousands, |
obscuring the river. and storming the air |
with elamor. II was said that Tom Da- /,
Wis. the trusty fowler of Mount Vernon, |
often brought down, at a single discharge |
of his clumsy British piece" as many
z
week.
zone of the most notable features of
early Georgetown was the establish
ment and growth of the public school
system in that locality. Although the
town was incorporated as a city in No
vember. 1889. no trace of legislation
touching the public schools is found prior
to December, 1912. when the system was
established. Prior TO 1910, educational
opportunities were confined to private
schools About the close of the year
1910. the I.ancasterian School Society was
organized. Under its protection a school
was opened, November IS, 1911, by Rob-
ert ould, pupil of Joseph Lancaster. the
founder of the system. This school was
by private aid until 1915, when
the Georgetown corporation appropriated
81 600 for its support. and continued that
appropriation annually until 1872, when
the school was suspended. Subsequent to
this time. the primary education of the
place was taken charge Of by the board
of guardians, and schools became practi-
eally free to ALI
In August, 1874, the city authorities
authorized the guardians to receive do
nations for the support of the schools.
Four years later, the guardians were d.
rected to charge not exceeding 81 per
month, all pupils whose parents were con-
sidored able TO pay tuition.
In August, 1919, the board of guar
dams were authorized 10 purchase a
church edifee on Montgomery Street for
school purposes, and TO issue bonds in
the sum of 81 200 to pay for it. The sum
OF $500 was also appropriated TO reiit
the property. Appropriations ranging
from $500 to $500 were made annually
to support the schools. and this arrange
ment continued until 1857, when the
Washington plan of assessing 81 upon
each free white male resident twenty
one years Of age and upwards was adopt
cd. In 1859 the city made the requisite
Appropriation TO build a commodious
house on High Street, at an expense of
81 $50. In April OF the next year appli-
cation was again made to Congress for
an appropriation for education purposes,
but in vain. The present system Of pub
lie schools in Georgetown as in Wash
ington leaves nothing to be desired
SITUATIONS wANTED-FEsrALE.