Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-10
DELVING IN HISTORY
INTERESTING SKETCH OF A "FoR-
GOTTEN PHILANTHRoPIST."
Life and Times Of Pontius D. STEELE
Papers Read Before Columbia
Historical Society.

Papers Of interest were read at the regular
monthly meeting of the Columbia Hist
Society, held last evening in the banquet
hall of the Shoreham In the absence of the
president of the society, Mr.. John A. Kas-
son, who is in the south for the benefit OF
his health, the first vice president, MA. X.
Spofford, presided. The first paper of the
evening was prepared by Miss Cordelia
Jackson and proved to be an exceedingly
weIl-written sketch of Mr.. John Barnes one
of the prominent citizens Of Georgetown in
the early years of the 18th century. This
paper was read by the secretary of the
society, Mrs. Mary Stevens Beall. The title
was IA Forgotten Philanthropist of George
town." and Miss Jackson brought out the
fact that while Mr.. Barnes had been a resi-
dent of Georgetown for over a quarter Of
century, having come to this District with
the government in $780, and had moreover
been a public-spirited man, 1t was difficult
to find any memorials of his life. Even his
grave is neglected. and the tombstone mas
fallen away.
Mr. Barnes by his will. left fund which
he stipulated should be used to establish
poor house in Georgetown, or, as he rather
quantity termed it, "a lettering house. MI.
Barnes was native of England and came
over to this country shortly before the revo-
lutionary struggle. He became a soldier in
the army of independence and served
throughout that war. He became friend
of Thomas Jefferson and was his represent
alive, esp cially In business matters. 1t Was
through appointment by Mr.. Jefferson that
Mr. Barnes, in 1906, became the collector Of
the port of Georgetown, which position he
held until his death in 1926. Five years
later the corporation of Georgetown. as the
beneficiary of his trust fund, bought the
tract of land where a building was erected
for the poor house. This property Is now
used by the Industrial Home School.
Upon the conclusion of the reading Of the
paper those who took part in the discus
sion commended the writer for the careful
research which had been made and the care
she had taken to bring together so many
facts now difficult to trace.
Pontius D. STEELE.
The next paper was entitled 1.-THE Life
and Times Of Pontius D. STEELE" This
proved to be a charmingly written sketch
by a great-granddaughter OF MI. STEELE
Miss Maud B. Morris. Although Mr..
STEELE was one Of the prominent and influ
entail citizens of the city in the early years
of its history, yet, as Miss Morris explained,
it was extremely difficult to get at the de-
tails Of his life here. She stated that he
was of French Huguenot descent, was born
In Trenton, N. j., and came to this city
about the year 1sOO. He started a hotel
and for a number Of years his establish
ment was one Of the leading hostelries Of
the city. He was located on Capitol Hill
and began the business in the summer Of
$500. Miss Morris stated that she was I'M
able to give Mr.. Stelle's precise location
until he purchased the property at the
southeast corner of Maryland avenue and
list street. northeast, where there was a
hotel known as Tunnicliffs He subse-
quently took possession of large building
on the adjoining square to the south, which
In later years was known as CAROLS row.
In addition to the sketch of Mr.. STEELE,
Miss Morris introduced number of Incl
dents which have become traditions In the
family and which gave delightful glimpse
Of the customs and manners Of that early
day. Mr.. STEELE died in the year 1896, and
was buried in the Congressional cemetery.
After the discussion Of this paper, which
was spoken of as showing the results of
diligent study the society adjourned.