The Washington times., 1922-06-25

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washington. who was at that time
WY much interested In the new
city which was inst taking form On
the Potomac. he changed his mind
ana received 70 make his winter
home In the new Federal Capital.
From 0ustavus w. Scott. who
had besn ons Of the original pur-
chasers from the Government In
the previous year, Colonel Tayloe
bought for $1,000 the ground at the
corner Of New York avenue and
Eighteenth street on April 10.
iTs7. DR.. Thornton was chosen as
architect. and ~ the building pro-
grsssed. General ( Washington
showed . lively interest In ir and
visited II during his journeys to
Washington during 17ss and 1889,
though he had passed away bsfors
its completion In 1900.
Col. John Tayioe was the only
son Of . family OF eleven children,
and was born September ., .77t.
He married Anna. daughter OF Gov.
Benjamin osis. IN 1872. Colonel
Tayioe died in 1898. leaving a fam
fly Of fifteen childrep. His widow
lived until about 1850. The Tayioes
intermarried with many roted
families. In Maryland with the
ogies. Piaters, Taskers. Bladens,
Lloyds and snyders, and in Pir-
ginia with the Corbins, Pages,
washingtons, Lees, Carriers, Lew
ises. willises. Chinns. Fitzhughs,
wellfords. Langhornes. Gwathncys
and others. '""'N -
Colonel Tayioe was educated at
Eton, and was graduated In 1891
from Christ College. in Cambridge,
England. He served as captain OF
dragons in putting down the whis.
key instruction IN western Penn.
syivania, and was commissioned
major by President Adams in 1909.
His son. Lieut. John Tayioe.
though he died at Mount Airy
when but thirty-one. also received
military honors. - .,,..
HOST TO NOTED MEN.
BENJAMIN ogie Tayioe, another
son. continued to occupy the oc-
tagon. and sustained It's famous
reputation. Many noted men
were guests there In its early
period-Jefferson. Madison. Mon
roe. Adams, jackson. Decatur.
Porter. Webster, Clay, Calhoun.
Randolph, Lafayette, steuben,
General Van Rensselaer,. DR..
Thornton, and others.
But its chief historical fame
was attained when President
Madison occupied It as the Ex-
ecutives Mansion after the British
burned the white House on All
gust -, 1914.
tradition says thst John Tay.
~Ioe. from his homo In Mt. Airy,
where he was living at the time"
writes Mr.. Brown, "sent q cou-
rier to Madison. offering the oc-
tagon for his use. This offer
was accepted. and Madison moved
into the octagon on September
s. 1914" He occupied the house
for more than q year.
Madison used the circular room
in the second story for his Of.
flee. and he and Dolly Madison
used the eastern suite on the
same floor. consisting Of large
room and two dressing rooms
as their private apartments.
Mr.. Brown pictures in fancy
the old house In those days. with
its simple tinted wallis, polished
long-leaf pine floors, polished ma.
hogany doors on the first floor.
white woodwork. with the man.
tells elaborately carved and some
times relieved BY sold. the elab-
crate and delicate cornices. crys-
tai chandeliers: Adams, Sheraton,
and empire mahogany furniture.
paintings by Stuart and some OF
the English painters Of the day.
After the death OF Mrs. Tayioe
the character Of this section Of
the city changed In residential
Importance, and the property was
allowed to deteriorate. until the
house became almost squalid, or
even quite so at the time Il was
rescued from oblivion BY the
architects.
ORGANIZED IN 1857.
The American Institute OF Ar
chitects was organised In 1857 by q
group of young men In New York
city. Their beloved art Of archi-
lecture. 10 they felt, had fallen 20
q low standard. the profession was
not appreciated by the public and
the fine arts were thought Of little
Importance. A dozen, led by fsicns