Evening star., 1921-04-24
Mr.. and Mrs. Simonds
Secure Historic Home

Mr.. and Mrs. Frank H. Simonds
have purchased from the family OF
the late Gen. George c. Thomas their
former residence, No. 31os P street,
where. following extensive restora-
tions. Mr.. and Mrs simonds will make
their permanent Washington home.
This house. after it's near neighbor.
Tudor Place, on Georgetown Heights.
stately measures OF a minuet at the
garden party given in his honor on
his second visit to this country, is
Historically the most interesting of
all the old Georgetown houses.
Built prior. to 1910, by Judge Nor
bricks brought from England. but as
we'll tho brass door knobs and large
solid brass locks After the fashion
Of all early colonial residences the
bricks were laid in Flemish bond.
notable example of which may be
seen in the walls of Rock Creek
Church.
During the residence Of Judge Nor
sell this house was a favorite gath
ering place Of the most distinguished
Washington. Maryland and Virginia.
Later as the Spanish legation. the
late Count de Podestad. made his
homo there with his family during
the Grant administration, and gave
receptions and dinner parties. after
which the guests danced and enjoyed
late suppers in the extensive lantern
hung gardens.
Gen. Thomas Buys Property.
|. In 1870 the late Gen. George c.
Thomas acquired the property and fol-
lowing his occupancy welcomed there
many Of his old West Point and civil
war friends, among whom were Gems.
Phil Sheridan. George H. Thomas.
Peter Hagner. Meigs. Delaheld, Au
CUR. Fremont. 1nnis Palmer. Burn
side. Col. Alexander Montgomery and
host of others whose names enume-
rated would sound like a roll call of
the civil war.
When the late Lord Pauncefote was
minister from Great Britain, he fire.
quently stopped at 310S p street and.
alighting from his horse. as simply as
any man in the loWliest walks of
life. ascended the steps to ring the
bell and deliver in person invitations
for entertainments at the British Ie-
cation on Connecticut avenue This
practice was only discontinued fol-
lowing his elevation as the first am
bassador accredited to the United
States.
At tea given in honor of Mrs
Frances Hodgson Burnett the old
house opened it's doors to as brilliant
q gathering of men and women in
Washington diplomatic and public
life as was ever seen in Georgetown.
Among the woman writer's then in at
tendance. was the author Of "Queechy
and The Wide, Wide World" whose
death occurred shortly after this visit
to Washington: Mrs. Frank Leslie,
Mrs. Richard Henry Savage, author of
My Official Wife," and the late Miss
Mollie Elliot Sewel.
Very Famous Testament.
Among the most treasured his
torical possessions of this old home
is small Testament. on which Gen.
Thomas. as notary for every state in
the Union, administered the oath of
allegiance to all the Union troops taxi
ing part in the civil war. This was
done with regiment at time as
sembled in the grounds OF the old
State Department.
Among the officers of the Army who
Iook the ironclad oath upon this
Testament and subsequently affixed
therein their signatures. with the
dates attached. were Gen. Winfield
Maj. Gen. Phil Sheridan, Maj Gen. e.
D. Townsend. Maj. Gen. William T.
sherman. as lieutenant general of the
Army in 1855, as general Of the
Army in 1859. and six months later
Grant was qualified as lieutenant tenn. f. gen. D.
erol Of the Army. March, 1864, on this
Testament; as general OF the Army
July. 1865 and as secretary of war
ad interim, the following year, Octo-
ber 4. 1872. He affixed his signature
therein as President of the United
States.
Another historic possession of this
house Is quaint cradle of solid ma
hogany brought from England in 174s
by the family of Col. Edward Thomas
OF the Continental Army who, in COM
mand Of the Jersey regiment raised
and equipped at his own expense. led
Island.
Look Forward to Entertaining,
1t Is htting that Mr.. Simonds, as
the widely known magazine and