Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-07-26
VERNON MANSION,
HOME OF CHARITY
Historic Scene of Colonial
Hospitality Now an Office
and Dwelling.
WASHINGTON A GUEST
IN INDEPENDENCE DAYS
Rochambeau and Lafayette Also En-
tertained at Old Newport
House.

How the historic BOWER OF vernon
mansion in Newport, built in 1855 and
Never since linked with political. martial
and social activities-where Count de Ro-
chambeau commanded. Marquis de La
fayette was entertained and George
WASHINGTON slept-has become the home
of a charity organization is told In an
article written exclusively for the Sur
vey Press Service.
The Survey is an association whose
purpose is to investigate the facts OF
living and working conditions and to
promote agencies for social advance.
The article is as follows:
History 20 charity organization so.
ciety usually means the case history
of the poor, the sick and the weak. But
to the Charity Organization Society of
Newport r. l., the Office itself breathes
history-history that is tinged With the
roVlance of French cavaliers and is
woven of the bold deeds of revolutionary
heroes For the Newport society has
moved from cramped quarters into the
spacious Vernon mansion. square CO.
lonial house built by Newport mer-
chant Metcalf Bowler. in 175S and from
that date until 1872 the center of pollt1-
cal and social life.
\ history of the house written by
Maud Lyman Stevens and published by
the Newport Charity Organization So
ciety relates that when Metcalf Bowler
built his home Newport was rising
into a busy commercial center.
The Tax Troubles.
When in 1865 England was strictly
enforcing the obnoxious tax on sugar
and molasses, Metcalf Bowler was Sc
lected to represent his colony at a
convention to consider the grievances
of the colonies, especially in regard
to taxation. In 1868 he was made one
of a committee to prepare an address
TO King George in behalf of violated
rights. During the same year he was
made speaker of the general assembly,
an honor which he retained for nine
teen years.
In the first days of it's existence.
then. the old Vernon house was the
scene of open hospitality to prosperous
merchants and colonial lawmakers,
On the anniversary of the repeal of
the stamp act. March Is, 1867. the rec
ords report, Hon. Metcalf Bowler gave
an elegant entertainment to number
of gentlemen, true friends of Liberty"
The next owner of the old mansion
was another Newport merchant and
ship owner. William Vernon, whose
life and name are even more closely
connected with the house than those OF
Metcalf Bowler William Vernon did
not long enjoy his pleasant homestead.
however. War and famine came to
harass Newport. In December. 1776.
the English forces, $500 troops In all
invaded Newport, and the Friends of
Liberty in the town, among them Yer
non, fed, leaving their possessions to
the enemy.
When the British Left.
A change of campaign by the British
commanders led to the evacuation of
Newport In October, 1873. With her
commerce destroyed, more than 500
houses burned and her wealth scat
tered. the town began the task of re-
Mobilization. This was made easier by
the arrival in July, 1880. of an expe-
dictionary corps of the French allies
beau.
Then began more prosperous days fol-
Newport and brilliant days for Vernon
house. For to Count de Rochambeau
and the group of youthful mobiles with
him was assigned the Vernon house.
Councils of war were held. officers
came and went. important decisions were
arrived at in the north parlor. where
tradition places the offices of the
commandant.
Nor was the house a center of work
alone. Gorgeous balls were held "a
new French half was added for large
assembliesl and eminent personages
entertained. The young and gallant
Marquis de Lafayette was entertained
in the mouse, Dan0 OF lnQlan Cn1eS&
was Toasted there, DR.. Ezra Stiles.
president of Yale College. dined there
with Gen. de Rochambeau. and March
2. 1882. no less a person than George
Washington slept In the northwest
chamber.
Thus the old Vernon house was the
scene Of q gay pageant of events. the
meeting ground for grave conferences
and the hospice for noted men until
the French occupation came to an end
August, 1882.
In Modern Times.
with the withdrawal 81 the French
troops William Vssnon returned home