The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-01-30
NEAR CENTURY MARX
Mrs. B. w. KennOn Celebrates
Ninety-secOnd Birthday.
RECALLS DAYS OF LONG AGO
Great granddaughter of Martha
washington Was Born and Has
Lived All Her Life in Historic old
Tudor Place - Entertained Many
Guests in Famous Colonial Home.

Mrs Britannia W. Kennon, Of historic
granddaughter of Martha Washington and
descendant of the Calverts, the last Lord
Baltimore. Monday celebrated her ninety
second birthday. Mrs. Kennon Is hale
and hearty, and IN looks and actions be-
lies her great age. She goes out fire.
quently. and is as active as the ordinary
middle-aged woman. There was no eele-
bration in the big colonial house on the
heights overlooking most of Georgetown
and Washington, but many Of Mrs. Ken
mons old and intimate friends called to
pay their respects. She received flowers
without number. and last night her room,
the parlors and the Old-fashioned sit
ting room were decorated and bore the
scent of roses.
Conspicuous among Mrs Kennon's
callers was Miss Emily Mason, Of George
town. a lifelong friend, who lacks but
few months of Mrs. KennOn's age. She
also is in the best Of health. and spends
a good deal Of her time out Of doors
Armistead Peter. Sd. Mrs. Kennon's lit
tie great-grandson. ten years old. spent
the day at Tudor Place. with his mother.
where they were joined in the evening
by his father, Armistead Peter. architect,
the only one Of Mrs. Kennons grand
children not living with her at Tudor
Place. The others, Miss Agnes Peter,
Walter c. Peter. 3. Kennon Peter. and
Rev G. Freeiand Peter. all spent the
evening at home. Mrs KennOn took great
interest In the event, as she does in every
thing, but no celebration was given her
for the reason that she did not think she
could stand the strain Of the entertain
ment Of the host that would attend.
Born In Tudor House.
Miss Britannia Peter, now Mrs Kennon,
was born in Tudor Place house in 1875
and has lived there practically all her life.
It has always been her residence with the
exception of two years Of marital bliss.
which was brought 10 an abrupt end by
the sudden death Of her husband. on
January 6, 1913. she married Commodore
Beverley Kennon. ranking officer Of the
navy. Ia 1915 he was killed by a gun ex-
plosion on the battle ship Princeton The
Princeton had just left Washington with
President Polk, Secretary Gilmore. and
other public officials abroad when one Of
her new model guns exploded upon its
second discharge. doing frightful damage.
Secretary Gilmore was among those who
lost their lives with Commodore Kennon.
Ever since that time Mrs. Kennon has
lived quietly az Tudor Place. The house
has always been open to her faany
friends. but she has not entertained on
large scale.
Mrs, Kennon is president Of the Aged
Women's Home in Georgetown. president
OF the Louise Home on Scott circle. Tres
ident Of the District of Columbia Society
of Colonial Danes. and honorary vice
president Of the national society She
has always taken great interest in chart
table work, and has been a hard worker
among the many charitable Institutions
OF the city
Tudor Place was designed and built Tor
sir. and Mrs. Thomas Peter. By William
Thornton. the famous architect an init
mate friend OF the family. AT the same
time he built the original Capitol building
and the Octagon house Although started
at the beginning Of the century. the house
required many years for completion. the
family making quarters in one wing
sheltered Distinguished Guests.
The fine, old building has sheltered
many a distinguished guest. not the
least among whom was Lafayette. who
was entertained there upon his second
visit to America. Although but a child
nine years old at that time, Mrs. Kennon
remembers the general distinctly.
After her fathers death Mrs. Kennon
lived alone IN Tudor Place with her