The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-08-14

Inc World Is apt 10 accept the glIlS
the gods bestow without inquiry to as
their inspiration or their source. We
look at this monument and enjoy H.
profit by that charity with Indifference as
10 what great soul we are indebted for
our enjoyment and our profit. Back Of
all great humanitarian projects one can
always find the influence Of a woman.
yet the names Of but few are perpetuated
in the institutions that were inspired or
actually founded by them.
Mr.. Corcoran. who established the
Louise Home in memory Of his wife and
daughter. so named it that on first hear
ing OF this home one is prompted TO ask
who was the Louise for whom this
great memorial was raised?" Hence all
the world knows that this delightful
refuge in which aged gentlewomen pass
in peace and comfort their old age, is a
loving tribute 20 Louise the wife. and
Louise. the daughter of its founder.
But in the businesslike and unromantic
name Of the orphan asylum in Four
teenth street no hint Of the story of its
founder is given. yet there is no institu-
ton in Washington so closely interviewer
ana
Of the quaint Scotch family upon whose
farm the city was built
Leaves n Monument
The story of David Burns. his obdu-
racy. his Scotch pride. his shrewdness in
driving bargain, are we'll known to even
the casual student of history. and the
little cottage ia which he lived the simple
life Of farmer still remains in the park
south OF the White House. a wee bit OF a
place, surrounded by stately and impos-
ing buildings. a constant reminder of
obstinate David Burns" but to his
daughter and heiress, who built herself
palace within a stones throw of the
cottage where she was born and gave
freely Of her time. her money. and her
influence to help the poor and needy Of
her day. no monument, save the one IN
Oak Hin Cemetery. exists: at least. no
stone is so labeled. Yet the City Orphan
Asylum was conceived and established
by Marcia Burns Van Ness.
Marcia Burns was born in I7S2. married
20 Gen. John +. Van Ness. member OF
Congress from New York. well bred.
we'll fed, well read" in 1862. and died in
1872. The child. Marcia. was brought up
In the little cottage, a familiar landmark
TO all Washingtonians. but when her
father came into his great fortune
through the sale Of his land to the ma
uonal government, she was sent to Balti-
more 10 be brought up in the family Of
and with the daughters of that brilliant.
eccentric. and Interesting character. Lu-
Their Martin. the friend of Aaron Burr
ard HIS defender. and friend. protege. and
defender OF Samuel Chase. although -
eioquence did not prevent the impeach-
ment from the Supreme Bench Of that
noted Marylander.
In "A Refined Circle.
Luther Martins position as attorney
general or the state Of Maryland and his
family connections. despite the many low
habits that marked him, gave the Mar
tins fine social position. so that Marcia
had at an early age the advantage OF
mingling in the most refined circle in
America. and il was this early Initiation
into the fashionable world that enabled
her 10 carry Off with so much dignity
and grace the duties Of the position in
which her marriage placed her.
Marcia Burns doubtless met her future
husband at the Martins home. for. like
Martin the Van Nesses were devoted
friends OF Burr. The elder Van Ness had
supported Burr against the Clintons and
Liyingstons. and William p Van Ness
was Burrs second in the duel with HAM
iton, and afterward secreted him In his
house at Undertook. Burr. indeed. was
instrumental in making the match be-
tween the fair Marcia and the young
member Of Congress from New York. and
we can imagine him making a brilliant
speech at the wedding
This marriage was blessed by one
child, a daughter, Ann. who married Ar
thur Middleton. son Of one OF the signers
Of the Declaration Of Independence. Ann
Middleton died in childbirth less than a
year after her marriage and from this
time on Mrs. Van Ness lived a life Of re-
tircment and seclusion, devoting herself
TO charity and religion
The chief object Of her interest was the
orphan asylum. which had been founded
through her influence in 1915. At this
time the war of 1872 had left many fam
lies in distress and many orphans to be
cared for Mrs. Van Ness. who was be-
ing constantly called upon for assistance.
determined TO make some permanent pro-
vision for the destitute orphans. who.
more than any other class. appealed TO
her sympathy. and TO that end consulted
with the wife Of Rev Obediah Brown.
pastor Of the First Baptist Church, as TO
the best means TO establish these unfor-
tunate children IN permanent home.
Plan Orphan Asylum.
The result of this consultation was an
invitation to the leading women of Wash
ington to meet in the hall of the House
Of Representatives. Tuesday. October 10,
1915. Ito consider the propriety Of insti-
tuting an asylum for the relief and main
tenanCe OF orphans" AT this meeting the
Washington City Orphan Asylum was
founded. with the wife OF the President.
Mrs. James Madison. as first directress,
and Mrs. J. p. Van Ness as second d.
rectress. Mrs. Josiah Caldwell was named
as treasurer. and there were nine lady
managers, among them Mrs. Dudley
Diggs, Of Green Hill. where Mai ZEN
FAINT had founded an asylum; Mrs. Breck-
enridge, and Mrs. Roger Weightman.
whose husband was one OF the early
mayors OF Washington.
The first home of the new asylum was
on the corner OF Tenth street and Penn
sylvania avenue but soon after a COM
mittee was appointed TO obtain funds for
the erection of n suitable building. and
such a building was finally erected on a
corner of her estate. through which II
street now runs. donated by Mrs. Van
Ness. Dolly Madison gave so toward
the new building. and cow; Mrs. Mon
roe, who refused 20 serve IN the place %