Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-04
Anna Maria fMurray) Mason, sce Of Gen. job" Mason

6 A NAI.OSTAN ISLAND obtained still an
"A other name, viz, Barbados through
survey made of 1t by the Colonial authorities
Of Maryland for Capt Randolph Brandt on
the 2sth day Of April, 1882 and through the
patent granted to him for it by Lord Baltimore.
1t is described In the certificate Of survey and
patent as AN island lying in the Potomac River
over against Rock Greek, In Charles County.
commonly called or known by the name or
Analostian Island, containing by estimation 70
acres. To be held of Zachiah Manor, called
Barbados
.tOn the rent rolls Of Lord Baltimore the
tract is carried as Barbados and is described
as an island commonly called Anacostian Is
land; from which 1t appears that in early days
it went indiderently by either name, Ana
lostian or Anaco6tian."
In the District of Columbia-as elsewhere, Of
course-there are many beautiful legends re-
lating to certain tracts Of land, for instance.
the one relating to the Treaty Oak on Temple
Heights for which there seems to be no founda.
ton in fact and so, in looking up the history
of Analostan Island we find it, too, has a lovely
little legend well worth repeating, which
naturally has its setting at a time many years
before it was owned by the Mason family. 1t
viii be here given as it appeared In print 90
years ago: y
Towards the close of the last century there
arrived In Georgetown, per schooner 'Albatross,
from Liverpool an English gentleman, accom-
panied by his wife and two daughters He
was unknown here and from his reticenL man.
ner it was evident he did not care about
forming new acquaintance. Arrivals from
abroad were not as frequent then as now and
people of an inquisitive nature were consio-
erably disappointed at not being able to learn
something of his history.
ITO be sure, there were his name and resi-
dence registered at the hotel-'Marvn Strath-
more and family, London, England'-but that
was not sufficient: they wanted to know all
about him. and how to get this information was
the subject of daily conversation.
about month after his arrival he purchased
the property now known as Analostan Island.
and during the six months that followed it
was the scene of wonderful transformations.
Vessels were dispatched for lumber, upon the
arrival of which building commenced at once.
Men were put to work clearing the wild growth
of timber, laying out walks and drives, digging
well and cistern, making an ice house, land
ing for boats and such other improvements
as the owner desired
SsIT>HE latter part of November Mr.. Strathmore
and family took possession of their beauti-
full home. The dwelling two-story frame
was situated in the center of the island, facing
Georgetown. It contained IA large rooms quite
q number of which were magnihcently fitted
up with furniture and works of art imported
from England. Several outhouses were scat
tered about the premises; large barn, unlike
ANYTHING ever before seen in this part OF the
country stood q few hundred yards in the rear
of the main building, while directly In front
of the dwelling at the waters edge, was nne
boathouse.
"Of course. this sudden and seemingly