Evening star., 1901-09-26
EXECUTIVES FAMILIES
The Chief Magistrates Usually Men
Advanced in Years.
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT 3 TEE YOUNGEST
T.
White House Seldom GIaddened by
Presence of Young Children,
THE SOCIAL EATURES

In his new dwelling on 'the Pennsylvania
avenue between 18th and 18th streets" as
the location of the residence Of. the Presf-
dents-the White House-was designated
three-fourths OF century ago, in the little
city directories, President Roosevelt will
be able to enjoy domestic happiness in a
manner which fell not to the lot Of many
of his predecessors. Most of them, when
they became the tenants Of the nation un-
der a four-year lease Of the premises, were
old enough to be grandfathers, and young
America was at times represented in the
living rooms of the mansion either by
grandchildren or grand hephews am nieces.
More frequently the children l. of, the in
eumbents had passed their majority when
their fathers engaged in the duties Of chief
magistrate, and SONS were at times called
upon to conduct the Office work Of the
Presidents as private secretaries Had
Uncle Sam adopted the requirements of
some landlords--not to let the White House
to families with chiidren-it would have
affected but few, though, the grandchildren
would have in the spirit of the require
seen, grandchildren, nieces and nephews
have found welcome from the Presidents;
the prattle of childhood and the Joyous
ness of youth have often been relief to
ties of the position.
The first executive, Washington. and
Mrs. Washington had no children of their
own, but the grandchildren of the latter,
George w. p. and Miss Eliza Gusts. were
of the Presidents household in New York
and Philadelphia, respectively; but they
were grown ere the end of Washingt on 8
time in 1797. They were communicates Of
the Episcopal church. o.
John Adams, the second President. was
sixtytwo- years of age when called to the
seat of goyernment-then in Philadelphia
and had been the head of a family for
thirty-three years. His five sons and daugh-
ters were all of mature age. One of the
sons, John Quincy, who was destined to
occupy the presidential chair twenty-five
years later. was at this period in the diplo-
matte service in Europe. President Adams
moved here as the first tenant of the White
House, in 1900, ere the house had been
fully completed, but the term closed in
about nine months Mrs. Adams was un-
hampered by children and 1t is related
that she was enabled te make "as anany
as fifteen calls per day, though the places
were wide apart
The Father Of Democracy"
Thomas Jefferson, recognized as the
father of democracy. was the father of a
son and five daughters. Married in 1872,
he lad been a widower for about twenty
years when he became, President, in 1901,
one daughter Mrs Thos. Randolph being
the mother of about dozen children. Mr..
Jefferson's daughters did not take to city
life, and were somewhat loath to make
their home in the White House. Mrs. Ran
dolph was induced to come here from her
quiet Virginia home with her family, ard
she spent about six years under the roof.
The children were being educated by the
mother, and those Of another daughter.
Mrs. Eppes, spent some time with their
NJ nd urpr leo lc Of 6Grc
Randolph. 1t has BEEN stated that the
school room was in the west end of the
second story of the buildins.soaoy.gE ~ a.~..-
So domestic were the daughters in their
habits that though Mrs. Randolph had the
right to preside at the functions of tho
mansion, the wife of the Secretary of
State. Mrs. Doilie Madison was frequently
asked to do the honors Of the house. There
were many visitors to the White House,
and the Presidents hospitality was un-
bounded Not only relatives, friends and
neighbors from Virginia. but people from
every section of the country and Europe
were entertained at his table, and not in
frequently lodged there. 1t is recorded that
some were good stayers, a family of six
from Europe once making a visit of ten
months, and at one time the daughters
were called upon to lodge fifty guests
Mr.. jefferson was of no religious lenonni-
nation, but when here he attended the
Presbyterian Church In Georgetown.
MIR. and Mrs. Madison. who were mar
ident. were a childless couple, but when
they entered the mansion In 1S09 Mrs
Madison's son Todd, the child of her first
marriage, and then a grown man. was
one OF the family. Mrs Cults and Mrs
Washington, sisters of Mrs. Madison. were
living here and not infrequently nephews
and nieces, and other relatives. gladdened
the hearts Of the uncle and aunt Under
Mr.. Madison, who was not blessed with
so many relatives as was Mr.. Jefferson.
the house was the scene of as much hos
pitality as the condition OF the country
would allow, the war of 1912 engaging Sc
ingten, With the burning of the public
buildings including the White House.
caused the removal Of the family to a pri-
vate house. The Presidents household was
of the Episcopal faith, and were among
the early attendants of St. Johns.
Mr.. and Mrs Monroe had been married
over thirty years when he became Pres
ident They had two daughters. The eld-
est Eliza, was then married to Judge
George Hay of Virginia, and Maria, the
younger, soon after married Samuel l..
Gouveneur Of New York. The marriage
took place in the Executive Mansion. The
daughters, with their husbands and Miss
Ringgold-a daughter Of Judge Hay by a
former marriage-formed the White House
family, which was further augmented by
the arrival Of three little Gouveneurs, who
became the pets of the household. Like
the Madisons the Munroes attended st.
Johns Episcopal Church.
The Second Adams.
John. Quincy Adams and family took the
house of which his father was the first
tenant in March. 1925 by virtue of his
election by the House Of Representatives.
The family consisted Of Mrs. Adams, to
whom the President had been married
tWenty-eight years before, with three sons
and daughter. These were grown, or
nearly so. One son. John, filled the position
OF private secretary to his father during
the term. He marrieds Miss Mary Heller,
niece on his mother's side, at the White
House. The young bride. dDmtciled In the
White House, joined Mrs. Adams IN doing
the honors Of the rouse, assisting at the
receptions and parties forswhich Mrs.
Adams was famous. Presfdent Adams
was Unitarian. onehof the founders Of
the church now occdpied by the Police
Court; but he frequently attended st.
Johns P. E. Church
General Jackson, VINO became the chief
executive in 1929, was, likB Mr.. Madison,
childiess. and like Mr.. Jefferson. a widower
Mrs. Jackson having, after a married life
Of thirty-five years, passed away but a
few months before. To make up the White
House family there ware aeveral nephews
and nieces, besides the Presidents adopted
son, to whom he had given his name and
who married and brought Hts bride to the
White House. There sswerS Major A. J,
Donelson and wife. MEi Hays and wife and
Miss Eustice. besides a ;fopr-year-old son