The Washington times., 1903-07-05

TENRY = STIER was a banker in
n Antwerp. In wealth and enter
prise he was prominent among
the men who maintained the reputation
that city on the scheldt had enjoyed for
centuries of being one OF the financial
centers OF the world. He was a man
OF culture and refinement. His magnifi-
cent country home was adorned with
valuable treasures or art, including a
large collection of paintings by Reubens.
Van Dyck. and. other Flemish and Dutch
masters.
With an interesting and affectionate
family life seemed pleasant to him. But
there came a day when political troubles
sattrrrd around him. The exact nature
Of these no one knows. but the tradition
to his descendants in this country in
dicate a cause in the condition OF affairs
consequent upon the French revolution.
However this may be, he deemed it wise
10 bring his paintings and such other
works Of art as might be considered
CASH producing assets and his family to
America. the only peaceful retreat in
the civilized world. He chose for his
abode the dale between the rivers, mile
above the historic village Of Bladens-
burg. and built a model Of his home near
Antwerp.
Original Construction of Mansion.
The date Of the construction OF STEERS
house. now known as the Calvert man
sion. cannot be definitely ascertained.
Ii has been more than once stated in
print that the date was about the middle
of the eighteenth century. and that the
land upon which Il stands was acquired
by a grant from George III. This state
ment has no more foundation in fact
than has the fanciful assertion that the
bricks in it's walls were made in England
and hauled in ox-carts from ct. Mary's,
the first capital of the province OF Mary
land.
Another impossible tradition, but one
entirely outside OF the family interested.
is that Washington was ever a visitor
to the mansion. General and Mrs. Wash
ington were not infrequent visitors 10
Mount Airy, the home Of the Calyerts.
IN the main line of descent from Lord
Baltimore. Washington was a stanch
friend Of Benedict Calvert. son OF the
sixth lord, whose daughter Eleanor. IN
1774. married John Parke Custis, the
father OF George Washington Parke Gus
tbs, and grandfather Of Mrs. Robert Z.
Lee.
Calvert mansion was built certainly
not later than 1905. possibly as early as
1872. most probably about 1901. It is
questionable il a man OF STEERS oppor-
tunities and associations in selecting a
home would have avoided the vicinity Of
New York OF Philadelphia unless the
National Capital, located at Washington
in 1891. had been the attraction.
Romance Enters Upon the Scene.
AS soon as Stier considered it prudent
he returned TO Antwerp TO look after his
affairs. when he camd back he found
that his daughter Rosalle Eugene had
married George Calvert. Local history
is silent as TO whether or not the abb
sence OF the father rendered easier the
realization OF the lovers hopes How
ever this may have been. Calvert proved
himself an acceptable son-in-law to the
Belgian banker. He was rich. intellec-
tuaI. educated. handsome Of face and
form. Withal he was Intensely practical
Years afterward. when Stier found II
safer to return with his family 20 his
European home he gave Calvert his
choice between the pictures and the real
estate, the latter is reported to have
said: Damn your daubs I'll take the
land
George Calvert was ten years older
than Rosalie Stier. The date OF their
marriage is not recorded. Their oldest
son. Charles Benedict Calvert, repre-
sented his native district in the Thirty
seventh Congress, and Lanman's Bio