Evening star., 1915-01-24
RRIvAL of a grandson of Presi

a RRIVAI. of grandson of Presi-
IN dent Wilson at the White
N\ House. first child of Francis b.
q y and Jessie Wilson Sayre, re-
stores the healthy crying and laughter
of child life to that historic
mansion that has intermittently all
during it's existence echoed to the mer-
riment of children and grandchildren
of the Presidents.
Those executives who were happiest
in the White House owed much of this
cheerfulness and surcease from the cares
of office to the hours they spent in re-
newing their youth by romping with
The little ones. The very presence of
children has helped to ease the way for
several who have found the honor of
being President some of the bitterest
periods of their life, while some have
paid with their lives.
There was John Adams, who played
horse with a little visitor and allowed
himself to be switched vigorously as
he pranced around the corridors. And
even in the most serious war days, Alb
raham Linsoln threw off the cares of
state for few minutes and with his
young son Tad on his shoulders gal
loped about the Executive Mansion,
while the boy shouted gleefully.
The grand stairs have been used for
coasting down on a bicycle and the
east room has been used for bicycle
races well as for White House we'd
dtngs and staid receptions.
President Garfield only d couple of
hours before he was shot down was
turning handsprings in bed chamber
with his sons. one of whom is now
president of Williams College where
the present White House baby's father
is his assistant. and the other was a
CABINET member in the Roosevelt ad-
ministration. And it is "reminiscences
of such incidents. showing the Presi-
dents to be human, that have made
them nearer and dearer in memory to
the people.
The arrival of BABY Sayre awakens
memories of all the others who as
children had the honor to live in the
White House. some to be born there
and TO all go forth to occupy high
places of honor and faithful service to
country and fellow-men. There have
been eleven children born in the White
House, but only one a child of a Presi-
dent That was Miss Esther Cleye-
land. Three children were born to the
Clevelands. while the father held office,
but Esther was the only one born In
the White House. There have been five
grandsons and five granddaughters of
Presidents born there
The first child born in the historic
mansion was James Madison Randolph,
the son of Martha Jefferson Randolph,
daughter of President Jefferson. The
baby came during a visit of Mrs. Ran
dolph to the White House in the win
ter of 1S05-1S06
There We're no births in the mansion
during the terms OF Presidents Madison
and Monroe. During the term of John
quincy Adams granddaughter, Mary
Louise Adams. was born in February
1928. While Andrew jackson was
President four children were born in
the mansion, the sons and daugh-
ters of Maj. Andrew ]. Donaldson, Gen.
Jackson's protege and private secre-
tary, and Mrs. Donaldson, a niece of
Mrs. jackson. Mrs. Donaldson was
mistress of the White House. Two of
the children were boys and two girls
Their christenings were occasions of
great ceremony. President jackson
was godfather to two of them Martin
Van Buren. later President, was god
father of another, and Gen. Polk for the
fourth.
During the administrations of Presi-
dents Van Buren and William Henry
Harrison no children were born in the
White House. but two came during the
Tyler occupation. The first was Letitia
Tyler. granddaughter of the President
and daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. Robert
Tyler. The second was Robert JONES'
Youngest SON of Mrs. Mary Jones
daughter of the President. and Henry
Lightfoot Jones. Robert Jones fought
in Gen. Lees army during the civil
war, and was promoted for gallantry at
the battle of Gettysburg.
The administrations of Presidents
Polk. Taylor. Fillmore. Pierce. Lincoln
and Johnson passed without births in
the Executive Mansion.
During the term of President Grant a
daughter. Julia, was born to Mrs. Fred
erick Dent Grant. the wife of son OF
the President. She is now Princess
CantacuZene- -Speranskey.
There were no children of the first
President frollicking in the White
House during George Washington's two
terms, for the two very good reasons
that there was no White House and