Evening star., 1911-06-10
on. George Calvert.

son. George Calvert.
The once large estate of two thou
sand acres. called Riversdale from the
fact that two small rivers meet on the
place, has little now about it to serve
as a reminder of its former grandeur.
Here In the time of its early proprie
tors farming was conducted in the
most scientific manner, and imported
Jersey cattle fed upon its wide-extend-
ing pastures where now is a thriving
suburban settlement
The old mansion. where beauty and
fashion formerly held sway. is tarnish-
ed with time; its halls are deserted
and now it stands a solemn reminder
of an elegant past.
At Annapolis. Md, June IL, 1893
George Calvert. the son Of Benedict
Calvert OF Mount Airy. met. wooed and
won Rosalie Eugenia Stier, the beauti-
full daughter Of Henry Joseph Stier of
Antwerp. Belgium. the first proprietor
of Riversdale.
Interesting Bits of History.
Mr.. Stier was a banker in the Neither
lands and possessed of valuable col
lection Of pictures, among which there
were nine by the great Flemish artist,
Peter Paul Eubens. a relative Of the
owner. and four by Van Dyke and others
by the great artists Of Europe. 1t was
TO escape the cOnffscation of Napoleon
who was then invading Flanders, that
Mr. Stier embarked for America with
his pictures and that part of his for
tune which he was able to carry with
him. For this purpose he chartered
vessel. as shown by the following pass
port issued to him by the American
minister to England:
BY Thomas Pinckney, minister pIeni-
potientiary of the United States of Amer
ica at the court of Great Britain. etc.
IT. having been represented unto me
by respectable citizen of the L. s. A.
that the following family of Brabant,
lately residents at Antwerp. but now re-
siding at Amsterdam, to wit: Mr. Stier
d Artzelaer. his wife and daughter. Mr.
Charles Stier and his wife, Mr.. Jean M.
\. van Havre and his wife and daughter
have chartered the American ship Adri-
ana. Capt. Fitzpatrick. OF Philadelphia.
proposing 10 embark therein for the u
S. A..
Il do. therefore. hereby request all per-
sons whom these presents may concern
20 permit the aforementioned family to
pass unmOlested to the place of their
destination.
Given under my hand and seal. this
ninth day of August in the year one
(SignedD ..THOMAS PINCKNEY.
Mr.. Stier arrived at Philadelphia about
October. 1904. and proceeded to Annapolis
about December. 1875. Annapolis about
this time being one OF the most favored
Mansion Built Century Ago.
The sister OF George Calvert, Eleanor
Calvert. or. as she was more affection
ately known, Nellie" Calvert, had mar
ried John Parke Custis in 1774, the
adopted son of George Washington. and
who Is otherwise distinguished as the
mother of George Washington Parke Gus
It's OF Arlington, the father of Mrs.
Robert e. Lee, the wife Of the great
southern soldier.
Mr.. Stier says I'm his journal. MY
daughter Rosalie being married on June
II. 1899. to George Calvert. at Annapolis,
State of Maryland"
The Riversdale mansion was built in
1902 and is constructed Of brick which
were made on the place, covered with a
cement plaster and painted yellow after
plans an example Of the Flemish archi-
lecture. The large main building Of two
stories with high sloping roof and the
connecting wings at each end, Is graceful
and dignified.
The porticoee on the north and south
sides. with their sandstone pillars which
we're made for the Capitol at Washington
and found too short for that use, and the
wings were added by George Calvert, and
are a departure from the original style
of the house. converting the original
Flemish plan into the Georgian colonial.
Resembled Country Near Antwerp.
Mr.. stier was attracted to the site
where he established his home by the re-