Evening star., 1928-02-19

IL visited the birthplace OF
George Washington or know
i i where 1t iso And Of the four
hundred thousand pilgrims who
marched on Mount Vernon during 1927.
how many took an extra day to visit the
farm where George was born. where
young George spent his childhood, the
home where his mother spent the last
lays sof her life. the stately mansion where
his sister went as a bride. the church
with which Washington was first
associated as a vestryman? All are
within comfortable motoring distance
OF the National Capital and can be
seen within a single day.
Very little is really known Of the
childhood of the man whose birthday Is
observed February % throughout the
! length and breadth Of the land, an OBJ
seryance that began during the lifetime
OF the first President OF the United
States OF America.
Mount Vernon is rightly associated with
Washington. yet young George was l6
when he went TO Mount Vernon 70 live
! with his haIf-brother. Lawrence WASH
! ington, from whom he inherited this
estate on the Potomac at the latter's
death in l752.
| Since the writer first visited Mount
Vernon o. a child she has made an an
nual pilgrimage to this national shrine,
| but only last year did she discover the
! many historic spots connected with the
youthful Washington.
/ On the north side Of M street, be-
tween Thirtieth and Thirty-firss streets
| is a small stucco house of yellow tucked
away between business houses. II bears
large sign proclaiming Slate and Tile
| Roofers" and smaller sign reading
George Washington's headquarters
while surveying Washington 1871"
glimpse OF the canal which Washington
surveyed. George Washington selected
| the route and was frst president Of
| the old "Potomack Canal Company"
/ In his win he left two bequests TO
education. one being the bonds he
owned in this company.
| Looking eastward from Key Bridge
the Lincoln Memorial and Washington
Monument give forth their message.
Through Fort Myer and past Ariing-
to... the latter the home Of George
! Washington Parke Gusts. step-grand
son Of Warrington, before II came into
the possession Of Robert z. Lee, who
married Miss Gusts.
The first stop is at ChriStg Church.
Alexandria, Of interest historically and
| architecturally. There is well kept
air about the church, the grounds and
the graveyard. and fresh coat Of
white paint within gives a spick-and-
span look 10 an interior em!nentIy
satisfying There Is a gallery around
three sides. new pews In the center
but on the side are the pews OF George
Washington and Robert K. Lee, old
family pews with seats on three sides
and a wooden door on the aisle. Not
Eaa sf
Christ's Church, but he was vestry-
man At time when the yestrymen
were elected 10 Office by the people and
| were the ruling men OF the parish.
Washington was also yestryman Of
Pohtck Church. the next stop. Pohick,
parish church of Mount Vernon parish
is perhaps more intimately connected
with the riligtous life Of Washington
than the better known christs Church.
Poh:ck Church E substantial look
ing brick structure with stone dressings
built III the Georgian style, surrounded
by well kept graveyard. The interior
has much Of the gracious dignity Of
Christ's Church,
George Washington was FEstrymAn
of Pohick and member Of the building
committee, and IL was due 10 his Ia
ssuenee that the church was located
there The first church was smaller
frame building situated miles nearer
tGuastyn Hall On the south side 0f Po.
h1ck Run. Pohick WAS also the parish
church of George Mason Ut Ounston
Hall, celebrated author 0f the BIZ of
Rights III Virginia IL was restored in
1874, but In the old yestry book. now
Ut Mount Vernon, the records 90 back
! 70 1882, the year George Washington
was born,
Augustine Washington. father Oi
George, was elected yestrymsn IN 1873
. The first lay reader In the parish
elected by the yestry was Joseph John
son, who YVES 10 receive 800 pounds Oi
tpbacco provided he did his duty In his
r once Itey Lawrence de Butts was
( the first minister. He had charge oi
, some four churches and his salary wal
5000 pounds VI tobacco, clear 0f ware.
r. house charges, bat there was q pr0yisa
4 tI4f IL fUa fuiufAisr Ma nIk kyented bS