Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-06

things as brass bells, beauS, ndtcnets anu
were told to bring any Indians found
down to the falls, where Fleete and his
ship would meet the party. FROM this
account it will be seen that at that carry
day the Potomac was navigaoie as lar
up as the falls -
Fleete speaks Of the country in this
vicinity as being of great beauty, the
river full of big fish and the WOODS
Astounding in deer turkeys, bear ana puI-
falo. From his narrative it also appears
that on the present site of Georgetown
was at that date an Indian village called
TOhogae.
What is probably the first entry of the
island on an English map was when 1t
was officially noted on some patent pa
pers early in the seventeenth century as
MY Lords Island due possibly to the
fact that it was located in the land OF
Lord Baltimore.
In April, 1852, a survey of this spot
was made by the authorities of Maryland
and a patent to the island granted by
Lord Baltimore to one Capt Randolph
Brandt In this patent it is described as
IAN island lying in the Potomac river
over against Rock creek in Charles
county, commonly known or called by
the name of Anacostian Island. containing
by estimation seventy-five acres. To be
held of Zachiah Manor, called Barba-
does"
On the rent rolls of Lord Baltimore this
land is called Barbados, as wei as Ana
coStian Island
When Georgetown was laid out in 1131
the Indians had about disappeared IN
this part of the country. 1T was some,
where about this period that the Island
was bought by George Mason, OF the
famous Virginia family of that name.
who lived at his great estate. Gunston
Hall, down the Potomac me part o.
the river now called the Eastern brancn
was then known as Turkey Buzzard run,
and the spot on which the arsenal now
stands was named Turkey Buzzard point
The river ran back of the island be-
tween it and the Virginia shore in
swift current that made the channel
deep, so that course was used by ships
coming to Georgetown in preference to
sailing down the center of the stream,
as is now done. But in course OF time
rains washed down SO much material
that this branch became filled up
causeway, however connected the island
with the Virginia shore.
AS Analostan stood directly on the road
between the north and south of those
days, Mason owned a ferry which took
passengers from the Maryland side over
to the Virginia shore. AS 'Masons Is
land" this land now passed into a splen-
did existence. A handsome colonial man
sion was erected, the grounds were en-
bellished and magniticently laid out, and
slaves waited on the distinguished COM
pany which enjoyed the hospitality of the
lord of the manor. 1t is likely that Wash
ington and jefferson, Patrick Henry and
Richard Henry Lee and all the other IA
NOUS men of revolutionary days have
walked In its stately halls and wined
around its sumptuous board.
The George Mason who was the author
of the bill OF rights and lived at Gunston
probably gave this estate to his son OF
the same name. And it was during the
life OF this son that Analostan was in its
glory. Here was born the James Mason
who was selected by the Confederate gov
eminent to go as an envoy to England In
company with Slidell and was captured by
the Federal authorities. Here, also, was
Louis Philippe entertained by Gen. Ma
SON The walls that had so often re-
sounded to the laughter of fair women
and brave men were still standing forty
years ago in all their stately grandeur.
grim reminders of vanished greatness
Then followed several years Of owner