The Washington times., 1902-01-19
OLDEST HOUSE
IN WASHINGTON.
Maple Square Mansion,
Home Of "0liVia.'
WAS A WELL-KNOWN WRITER.
Mrs. Briggs Residence BuiIt Orig
innIIy in tl.e Reign of Queen Anne,
Two Hundred Years AgO-Built by
Al Wealthy Tobacco PIanter-La-
fnyctte Il Guest.

The mansion of Maple Square, on South
Carolina Avenue between Sixth and Sew
enth Streets southeast, the home of Mrs.
Briggs, the olivia of journalistic fame.
may fairly be claimed TO be the Oldest
house in Washington.
Although some more modern additions
have been made, the Oldest portion of the
house was built in the reign of Queen
Anne, or nearly 200 years ago The walls,
which were originally of frame in some
parts, were later enclosed to a consider
able thickness with brick which was
brought from England by the then owner,
a naval officer
The house was built by wealthy to-
bacco planter, whose demesne extended
considerably beyond the ground now sur
rounding it, though this comprises an en-
tire square. A few struggling farms on
the site of what is now Georgetown were
then the nearest human abodes.
Lafayette a Guest.
Many distinguished guests have been
entertained at Maple Square. Lafayette,
during his visit To this country after the
revolution, stayed here while in this
city. At later date Webster, Clay, and
Calhoun met in social intercourse within
its walls, and Abraham Lincoln and Ste
phen A. Douglas here merged political
animosities for a time in the pleasure of
the convivial hour.
Back OF Ihe main building is The old
structure formerly occupied by the
slaves. Charles Sumner. constant visi-
tor. said: Let the slave quarters re-
ain: they will be an object lesson when
we are gone" This remark was made
to John NJ. Clayton. United States Sena-
ter from Delaware then the owner of
the mansion. who thoroughly repainted
and added the east wing in order to
make ball room for his daughters.
Senator Clayton was the first citizen Of
Washington to use gas in his house, and
this luxury he had brought at his. own
expense from the Capitol at a cost of
81 SEQ
The East Room.
The east room is today the hand
soonest in the house, and is somewhat
in contrast TO the other apartments,
which, though elegantly, are simply fur
nished in the Dutch colonial style.
In this apartment one notices hand
style now familiar in many drawing
rooms This is said TO be the first Turk
ism divan that was ever brought to this
country, and to have furnished the model
for all subsequently constructed here. 1t
was originally in the possession of
Turkish Minister in this city, and was
sold TO a furniture dealer who had pre-
viously obtained the privilege Of copying
it,
A handsome cabinet is also noticeable
in this room. 1t is of rare woods inlaid
with mother-of-pearl, and once adorned a
Venetian palace in the sixteenth cen
tury.
Present From the MiIsado.
Here. too, is an odd antique, small
Japanese idol of gold and copper, known
as the Thunder God" 1t was present
ed to Mrs. Briggs by Colonel Wizard, who
did much toward forming the Japanese
army upon its present efficient basis.
The idol was given to Colonel Wizard by
the Mikado himself, in whose line it had
been for thirteen hundred years.
One of the most interesting features of
the house is the wine cellar, which is
forty-two feet below the surface of the
ground. 1t was built by Louis Charles
Pourtales upon the model Of the cellar
OF his ancestral nome IN GerHdny.
Mr.. Pourtales married against the
wishes OF the Count, his father, and came
to this country with his young bride.
Baron Geroldt, then German Minister,
procured for the young man place in
the Office of the Coast Survey.
He resided, with his wife, in the house
on Maple Square for fifteen years, when
his father died and he succeeded TO the
title and estates. Returning few years
later, his wife endeavored to purchase
her Washington home, but its owners re-
fused 10 part with it, it is said, to her
intense regret.