Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-20
ABINGDON MANSION
RICH IN ROMANCE
Historic House Near City.
Given by Washington
to Stepson.


citizens Of Alexandria to save the his,
tor:c mansion of Abingdon. across the
Potomac from Congress Heights. which,
III the past few years has become al
most a complete wreck
Officials Of the Richmond. Fredericks-
burg and Potomac Railroad. which
owns the property. have been approach
ed by the Alexandria Washington So
ciety with the plea that the proposed
razing of the building be deferred until
some financial arrangements can be
made TO restore it. and that steps be
taken to prevent further destruction.
It's Romantic History.
During the past few years. recent
inspection showed. wood has been taken
from the walls. probably for use as fuel,
ana the house has been battered badly
by the elements The old house has a
romantic history. was frequently visited
by Washington. and was intimately
connected with his family
When Washington married Martha
Gusts in 1859 she had two children, a
daughter Martha and son John Her
first husband had left an estate Of
$4,000 sterling and a large land
interest. one-third TO the widow and
the rest to the children. Washington
ulCltdStQ tliG estate Dy JUL
cious investment.
He was deeply attached to the two
children and was almost heartbroken
when the girl died. in 1878. John. who
then came into his sisters share of their
fathers estate, was away at school at
the time. Both Washington and his
wife hoped that he would study for
one of the learned professions" There
is evidence OF some family discord when
the young man quit school. He had a
will of his own. which not even Wash
ington could control.
John was in love with a girl from
across the river, Eleanor Calvert. daugh-
ter Of Benedict Calvert of Mount Airy.
Md. and direct lineal descendant Of
Lord Baltimore. Both his mother and
Washington objected to the proposed
marriage. largely due to the youth of
both boy and girl.
Marriage Takes Place.
John evidently overcame these OBJ
jections. for Washington attended the
wedding. which took place February %.
l774. at the home OF the brides parents
The groom's mother did not attend, but
she apparently was reconciled. for she
sent the following letter to Miss CAL
vert:
nay GEdl NJUQ lOCk lIOUl
a daughter when June Roses were
blooming He has now given me another
daughter, about her age. when Winter
winds are blowing. TO warm my heart
again. I am as Happy as one so af-
dicied and so BleSt can be. Pray re-
ceive my benediction and a wish that
you may long live the Loving wife of
my happy son and a loving daughter of
Your affectionate mother.
M. WASHINGTON"
For two years after their marriage
the young couple lived at Mount Yer
non. Then Washington purchased for
them from Gerald Alexander the house
and farm at Abingdon. Alexander
was one of the founders at Alexandria.
Built high above the Potomac, with
lawns and flower gardens extending
down TO the river bank, Abingdon
doubtless was a beautiful home at the
time. Both Washington and his wife
visited there frequently.
Idyu Was Brief.
But the idyll was brief. During the
latter days Of the Revolution John
Gusts served as aide to his father-in-
Law. He contracted a malignant type
of camp fever at Yorktown and was
taken from the battle field TO the home
IF his aunt. Mrs Eurwell Easset, In
Kent County, not far from Yorktown.
Immediately after the surrender Of
CORVALLIS Washington hurried there,
bat arrived only few moments before
the young mans death.
Besides his wife he left four chill
dren. Washington took the children
TO Mount Vernon. where they we're
cared for by Mrs. Lund Washington,
relative Of the general and manager
of the household when Martha Wash
ington was in Philadelphia during her
husbands service as President.
Washington may have brought about
the marriage of his widowed daughter
in-law and DR.. David Stuart, a close
persona! friend. whom he afterward
appointed one OF the first Commits
sioners of the District of Columbia. II
was this Stuart who, with Daniel Car
roll. established the boundary line OF
the District In 1891. They lived al
Abingdon for a time and were on In
VINO used TO come up the river by boat
TO visit them.
Widow Loses House.
Unfortunately there was some de-
feet In the title by which the young
widow held the property. The heirs OF
Gerald Alexander brought suit TO have
the sale set aside and won in the courts.
Al the time OF the Civil War the prop
erty was owned by the Hunter family.
lineai descendants OF the Alexanders
II was held BY MAJ. Bushrod Washing
ton Hunter In trust for his son, Alexan-
der Hunter Both father and son
served in the Confederate army.
The property was c0n!iscated by the
Federal Government, but after the war
was recovered for young Hunter through
the efforts of James A. GARFIELD. He
sold the house shortly after recovering
IL and ever since IL has been on the
cogn-grade. II viii be gone forever.
according 10 members Of the Washing