Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-06


is his statement
when the Federal Government was moved
here in 1900, among the old dwelling houses
was standing in what afterward came to
be known as square 1913. bounded by East
Capitol, First, A and Second streets northeast,
one of the squares upon which the new Su-
preme Court Building is about to be erected.
This house, which later came to be known
as 1e2 East Capitol street and is one of those
about to be RACED, belonged in 1900 to Daniel
Carroll OF Duddington. It was probably built
long prior to 1850. In the subdivision Of
Washington 1t was found to be located on lots
and Q of square 728. These two lots had
frontage of about 49 feet on East Capitol
street by n depth of about 1870 feet 10 a So
foot alley. The old house was about Sc feet
square, three stories high with eight large
rooms ON the first and second stories and four
smaller rooms the third floor, this due to
the fact that it had gable roof. It faced
west Cor toward the Capito), and its southern
wall was parallel with what later became the
building line of East Capitol street ard about 40
feet back from that line. 1t the only
building on the square in 1900.
I'm 1924 the property was sold and decided
by Daniel Carroll to Benjamin Burch, and
almost Immediately afterward was sold by
Burch to my grandfather, Capt. William Easily,
who had heretofore bought and then lived
in the old manor house known as Germ Abbey
Manor, located the square bounded by
Eighth and Ninth streets and Pennsylvania
avenue and e streets southeast
About the same year, 1924. Capt. Easily
erected an addition to the old house, consist
ing of a three -story-and-cellar dwelling house,
containing seven rooms, the second story front
being about 20 by Is feet. This addition was
brought from the south end of the old house
to the building line.
THE old building had been used as a lodg-
ing house for Senators and Representatives,
and. with the new addition, continued to be so
used until after the death Of Capt Easily, Who
devised his dwelling house on Pennsylvania
avenue to his oldest son. and the 122 East
Capitol street house became part Of my grand
mothers dover, where she lived after 1857.
At her death, in 1873, it became the property
of my mother. About 1898 it passed into other
hands and the original house was recon-
structed, and the two houses were made into
the 1t stands.
ESNTY earliest recollection of this house dates
Ava from 1875. when was small boy and
paid. with my mother. three months visit to
my grandmother. From 1879 to 1894 it was
my home
In 1875 the only houses on the north side
Of East Capitol street. between First and Sec
Ond, were houses numbered 1l6, 122, 124. 128
and 40 (which still EXIST and two large frame
houses next to the corner of Second street.
which were demolished a few years ago when
an apartment house was erected ON their
former site. The latter. and all other houses
except those above mentioned, were built after
1875.
House lie was built by Charles McNamee,
ar, about 1851. He was q lawyer and for
many years was one of the clerks OF the Su-
preme Court of the District. This house
occupied by him and his wife and his sons,
Charles. U., who also \ lawyer; John,
cOnveyancer and Samuel. The descendants
Of Charles ST. through his SON Samuel. still
Hive in Washington.
The sister, Catherine, of Charles McNamee,
sr- is the ancestress OF many present residents
Of Washington, including the distinguished oni-
Gers Of the Marine Corps, namely, Col. Charles
and Capt. Richard T. Sanderson
House l24 belonged to Miss Clara BayDe,
who married woodbury. Wheeler, lawyer. In
1875 this house stood back about 80 feet from
the building line. In 1879 Mr.. and Mrs
Wheeler built front addition, to the building
line. Mrs. Wheeler belonged to the old Mary
land family OF Bayne and was sister Of the
late distinguished DR.. John W. Bayne who
lived around the corner On Second street,
whose SON. DR.. j. Breckenridge Bayne, and other
descendants still live in Washington.
MFR Woodbury. wheeler OF an
early United States Minister to Nicaragua and
q grandson of the famous portrait painter,
Thomas Sulley. The descendants of Mr.. and
Mrs Wheeler still live in Washington.
House l28 was also of early origin. and
long prior to 1875 was owned and occupied by
James Lynch, clerk in one OF the depart
ments. After his death it was occupied by his
widow, and subsequently by his son, Willard
Lynch, and his wife and children
House $50 was built prior to 1875, and be-
Ionged to and was occupied from my earliest
recollection) by L. D. Merchant, supeT1n-
tendent Of the folding room Of the Senate, and,
after his death. by his widow. They had no
children fas recollect), and this house passed
into otf1er hands on the death Of Mrs Mer-
chant. many years ago
CAPT. WILLIAM EASILY. who owned l22
- East Capitol street for many years. a