Evening star., 1916-01-24
ASK $10O TO REPAIR
Wakefield WHARF
Citizens Wish to Make Access
sibIe Birthplace of George
Washington.
TO PETITION CONGRESS
FOR A new STEEL PIER
Patriotic Societies Will Be Request
ed to Contribute Money to Help
Make Approach Navigable.

Repairs which are estimated as ex-
tremely moderate in cost, made on an
old wharf on the shores of the Poto-
mac not far from OK creek, will make
Wakefield. the birthplace of George
Washington. easily accessible to Colo
NAL Beach, Va, and, through that re-
sorts connections with Washington, to
the people of the National Capital and
Of the United States generally.
This is pointed out by Joseph l. Kee
fer of this city, relative of the Wash
ington family and himself man ia
miliar with and interested in all that
pertains to the life of the father of his
country. Mr.. Keefer is in close touch
with William Wilson of Oak Grove,
present owner of Wakefield, who has
giveB a fenced-in strip of land running
from the old homestead on Popes creek
road ends at the old wharf, which is
but two miles by water from Colonial
Beach. but which is sadly out of re-
pair that il affords dangerous pas
sageway. The water near the shore
end of the pier is SO filed with sea-
weed that boats of more than two or
two and half feet draueht cannot
make a landing.
Say 500 Is Needed.
The sum needed for the repairs is
800. and Mr.. Keefer hopes that the
-four large patriotic societies of the
United States-the Daughters Of the
American Revolution, Colonial Danes,
Sons of the Revolution and Sons of the
American Revolution-can find their
way to bear the expense, OF. fail
ing that. that patriotic citizens gener-
ally will contribute individually. Mr.,
Keefer is a member of the last two or
gani1ations named. Inquiry discloses
that no funds available for the pur-
pose are in the hands OF the Governor
OF Virginia.
There is d movement on foot to in
troduce a bill into Congress providing
for the erection of a new steel pier for
the purpose. to have a substantial con-
crete flooring, at point good deal
nearer Popes creek landing. This
would make the sail from Colonial
Beach a good deal longer and the walk
TO the monument marking the birth
place proportionateiy shorter. Even IL
this bill Is introduced and passed, the
work would not be accomplished for
some years: in the meantime Wakefield
is difficult place to visit, and there
pairing Of the old pier as a stop-gap.
Mr.. Wilson has announced his willing
ness to perform the work on his own
account. provided the necessary funds
are forthcoming. The governmental
purchase OF Wakefield has also been
suggested. which would probably pro-
vide proper approach facilities, but this
also is a matter undecided.
An out-of-the-Way Place.
Wakefield is an out-of-the-
place. located in Westmoreland county.
Va. near Bridges creek says George
Richards. secretary of the District
branch of the Sons of the Revolution,
in a report submitted by him March S,
1914. in connection with the plans look
ing to its maintenance by the society.
John and Lawrence Washington ap-
peared in Virginia in 1868 and settled
at Bridges creek. Johns grandson,
Augustine. married Mary Ball in 1890
as his second wife. and George, the
first issue of the marriage, was born at
Wakefield. John Washington had pur-
chased the estate from an English fam
ily named Lison. II passed into Angus
tines hands by purchase from his elder
brother. who inherited IL. The family
continued to reside at Wakefield until
1886. when the house was destroyed by
fire.
THE family then moved to Eppewas-
sen, place about four miles from
Mount Vernon. and later to the Ferry
farm near Fredericksburg. The Wake
field estate later passed into the hands
OF Georges brother, young Augustine;
III int IN nj n