Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-11-30

War, Is centered around this house,
which was built In 1901. The original
land purchase. q 16-acre farm, was
made from Jacob Schieffelin, whose
descendants of the present day are
leaders Of the smart set In this city.
One of his kin. Miss Mary Jay Schief-
felin, was recently married and her
wedding was distinctly the most brill
liant of the early season. The list
Of bridal gifts read like an inventory
of the treasures of Pandora's chest,
while the roster of guests included a
number of prominent names on both
sides of the Atlantic.
Hamilton Supsrvises Design.
Alexander Hamilton called in the
noted architect Of his day, John
McComb. who designed City Hall, and
bade him lay out plans for home
where eld-fashioned hospitality could
reign supreme. AS this part of the
present city was then as far distant
from the center OF events as is up
permost Long Island today, the man
sion was provided especially with ac-
commodations for house parties.
which were even more POPULAR then
than they are now, only they gem
orally lasted for a week or two in
stead Of over the conventional week
end. Timber was supplied from the
Saratoga estate of Hamilton's father
in-law, Gen. Philip Schuyler. While
the building was under construction
Mr.. Hamilton planted Is trees in the
dooryard in honor of the IS original
States.
Although Hamilton occupied the
house but a short time--in fact, he
went from there to meet Aaron Burr
for the duel which terminated ia
tally-there were many brilliant en-
tertainments within its halls before
mourning closed the portals. The
beautiful Elizabeth Schuyler Hamil-
ton, who was as fascinating as her
talented husband, was hostess at
many notable gatherings. and among
the guests were a number of the an
cestors of the folks who now form
the inner circle of New York society.
AS the mansion was near the Boston
post road, famous men of New Eng
land, with their wives and families,
on their way to Washington OF Phila-
delphia, often stopped there.
UnderEoes Series of Changes.
After the death of Hamilton the
house passed through series of
changes in ownership until il was
presented to ST. Lukes parish in 1889
by Amos Getting to save it from the
that time 1t has been used as a rec
tory and parish house
The organization which now is In
trusted with the memorial was found
ed 80 years ago by Andrew H.
Green and has had charge Of Philipse
Manor Hall, Draper Memorial Park,
the Andre Monument, the Stony Point
reservation and other we'll known
spots. Mrs. Edward H. Hartman is
president iot, L.
p. Morgan was honorary president.
Among the vice presidents are Col.
Henry W. Sackett. Reginald Pelham
Bolton and Henry Harper Benedict.
With the fulfllment of the plans now
in view another of the cradles of
society here is assured of preserva-
ton until ripe old age.
Debutante Party Plans Wrecked.
A boisterous east wind, in flying
garments of rain and fog, Is blamed
for wrecking plans for the most
original debutante party ever held
in this city. 1t had been the inten-
ton of Sir Ashley and Lady Sparks to
present their daughter, Miss Eleanor
NJ. A. Sparks, at dinner and dance
aboard the Berengaria, as the magnia-
cent vessel lay at her pier here. But
the truth of the old adage, "time
and tide walt for no man" or debu-
tante either, was well proved when
the ship was held up outside the har-
Dor by as mean a bit of weather as
the coast has endured for many a day.
The result was the unique party had
to be hastily transferred to the Park
Lane, with a consequent rearrange-
ment of plans, which required titanic
efforts to bring about in due order.
Host, hostess and a corps of secre-
tartes and assistants had a busy few
hours notifying the guests by mes
senger, telephone and telegram of the
enforced change. II the affair had
been held on shippoard it would
have been the first of its kind within
the memory of the oldest society in
habitant.
About thousand guests had been
invited. and the majority of them
were present at the event in Park
Lane. The dinner took place in the
main dining room. with dancing in
the ballroom, and q seated supper
after midnight. Sir Ashley
and Lady Sparkes, with the debutante,
received the guests, who were mostly
folks. The list included a
great number OF the most prominent
persons in New York society.