The Washington herald., 1909-08-19


Having seen Washington develop
from its swaddling clothes into maturity
as one OF the great capitals Of the world,
Mrs Mary Ann Gibbons. who died at the
age OF nlnety-four on Monday last, prob
ably established a record for continuous
residence in this city which has never
been equaled.
She lived here for more than ninety
years. and many OF the oldest inhabi-
tants" and pioneer residents" Of Wash
ington are almost juvenile beside her
She had seen the national life OF this
city since the early 'z0s Of the past cen
tury. She knew the bellies and beaux Of
the DAYS Of Franklin Pierce and James
Buchanan.
Funeral Held To-day.
Scores Of her old friends will attend
her funeral at Il o'clock to-day, 10 be
held in her apartments in the National
Hotel Rev. Richard P Williams, pas
tor OF Trinity Episcopal church. Of which
She has been a member since its founda-
ton, in the ante-bcllum days, viii Off
ciate. and interment will be in the
Congressional Cemetery.
She came Of the bluest old Virginia
stock. and her Southern pride famed up
in the days OF the civil conflict. although
she remained In Washington throughout
the fighting. Her maiden name was
Smith. and she was born on one Of the
TI = Of ~frrf
Il was the boast Of her family that they
we're related 10 the Bowlings. who were
direct descendants Of POcahOntas.
As an infant she came 10 Washington
when the future Capital consisted mainly
Of State house. a White House. a few
residences, and a great deal Of swamp.
muddy streets. and clumps OF woods The
city then gave little hint OF what Il was
20 become, as she has described il 10 her
friends
She was married IN ls4S 10 John Stur-
geon, son OF Senator James Sturgeon OF
Pennsylvania, who was one OF the trusted
associates Of James Buchanan. In these
early DAYS she was prominent in the
social life OF the Capital Her husband
died IN 1852 and three years later she
again embarked on the sea OF matrinony
as the helpmeet OF John Gibbons. a
nephew OF Senator Spate, Of Mississippi.
Before the war broke out she was again
left a widow.
One Son I'm Navy.
From that day she devoted herself 10
religious and philanthropio pursuits. and
became active in host Of societies which
many an old inhabitant remembers with
delight She had one son. Eugene Stur-
geon. who became a lieutenant in The
United States navy, and who died three
years ago. At the time OF her death
she had no near relative, but her strong
personality and vigorous mind kept
many friends around her almost 10 the
last
There was no phase OF Washington life
which she did not know, and with many
OF them she was intimately acquainted.
in the civil war days she was a stanch
Confederate. and passionately supported
her Southern friends in the Federal cap
itaL She did not leave washington be-
cause she felt she had grown up with
the city. and that It belonged 10 her.
But when Lee surrendered, none was
more prompt than she TO merge her love
for Virginia into love for the Union
But after the war, the gayety and bril-
seemed 10 have lost It's charm for her,
and she spent more time in travelling
than had been her wont before
For fOrty-flve years she made an an
nual trip TO Saratoga 70 celebrate her
birthday. She spent long seasons there
when the resort reached It's zenith as a
social center. She made the pilgrimage
there from 1854 10 1905 without missing a
year.
End Came Suddenly.
This year there was no celebration, and
her friends realized that the end was
fast approaching. Her birthday fell upon
last Saturday. and two days later she died.
Her mind was dim and weak for two
weeks before. but she knew she had
lived to be ninety-four years old and was
happy.
one friend she has known through the
long fight Of years-Niiss Ann Wiuett
who has been an intimate friend since
1852 and who remains TO mourn her
death
Mrs. Gibbons has surely been a Wash
ingtonian, II the word possesses any
meaning" she said last night. Her
mind was a wonderful storehouse Of.
memories. She loved 70 recount the days
Of Buchanan, when she knew the life of
the White House intimately. None could
write a more interesting chapter Of Wash
ington society than she.
1T was her fortune not only 70 be a
branch Of one OF the Oldest Southern
families, but 10 be IN touch with some Of
the foremost political personages Of her
day. Even when old age advanced upon
her she was active. Her mind never lost
Its strength, and she was delightful when
in a reminiscent mood
Owned Much Property.
''She lived for many years at PennsyI-
vania avenue and Seventh street. in
which vicinity she owned some property.
She owned stock in a number of Wash
ington corporations. She had a keen
business mind, and was prudent IN all
her investments.
"She certainly belonged to the aristoc-
racy Of the oldest inhabitants and
death removes one more link between the
Of the present and that of
the ante-bellum days"
UNITED STATES SUES.
brings Action In Libel IN Condemp