Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-24
mrs. TOWNSEND
DIES AT AGE OF B
Services to Be Held Thursday
for Former Dictator of
Society Here.

Mrs. Mary Scott Townsend, widow Of
Richard H. Townsend, and for so years
a prominent figure in the social life Of
the Capital, died at her residence, 2121
Massachusetts, avenue, at 5 o'clock yes
terday afternoon, after an illness Of sew
eral years. With her at the time OF her
death was her only child, Mrs, B. Sum-
| ner Welles, and the latter's husband.
and her niece, Mrs. Scott Strong Of
| Erie, Pa.
Funeral services for Mrs. Townsend
| will be held at IL o'clock Thursday. and
the burial viii probably be in Erie, Pa,
where her mother, father, husband and
other members Of her family are buried.
Mrs. Townsend was practically the
Capitals social dictator until about 10
years ago, when failing health caused
her to retire from all large social
affairs. One OF the last receptions she
attended was at the White House.
This was a diplomatic reception four
or i've years ago where, with the late
Henry White, former Ambassador 70
France, and Mrs. White, she was q
guest.
Born In Erie, Pa.
Mrs. Townsend was born In Erie, Pa,
July z, 1854, and was married to Rich
ard H. Townsend, son of DR.. and Mrs
Richard Townsend Of Philadelphia, in
1879.
Mr. Townsend died at their home.
on Massachusetts avenue, November 90,
1902, from the effects Of injuries re-
ceiyed when his horse fell with him
when he was riding in Cleveland Park,
then an almost open country.
She was the daughter of william Law
renee Scott of Erie, who, after serving
as Representative in the Forty-ninth
ND al
politics. He had brilliant career In the
railway world, and at the time of his
death was president Of the Erie g. Pitts
burgh Railroad. Mr.. Scott was born In
washington in 1928, and during his
boyhood served as a page in the Senate.
One Daughter Survives.
Mrs. Townsend leaves one child, q
daughter, Mrs. B. Sumner Welles, whose
first husband was former Senator Peter
Goelet Gerry CT New York and Rhode
Island, but from whom she was divorced
in 1925, her marriage to B. Sumner
WelleS Of Oxen Hill Manor, Oxen Hill,
Md, formerly attached to the State De-
partment in washington, taking place
In New York June ~, 1926. Former
Senator Gerry was married to Mrs.
Edith Dresser Vanderbilt, widow Of
George Vanderbilt, i'll London in the
same year.
Mrs. Townsend's only sister, Mrs.
Charles @. Strong, died two years ago
In her home, at Erie, where her only
daughter now lives.
For nearly 40 years Mrs. Townsend
was considered the leader Of Washing
ton society, and an invitation from her
was passport" into the drawing rooms
Of washington or any other city.
Her first washington home after her
marriage was at 1703 x street, then
Washington's most fashionable thor
oughfare, and later she bought the
Women's City Club. Besides being the
scene of the most exclusive social life
IN the Capital, this residence was later
occupied by President Roosevelt during
his first administration and while the
White House was being restored.
Later she bought the property on
Massachusetts, avenue where she died.
was not torn away but the new resi-
dence was planned not to disturb II and
was built around it.
She annually gave q ball for her
daughter, now Mrs. Welles, from her
first grown-up days until her marriage
to Mr.. Gerry, the events being beauti-
full almost beyond conception. When
President and Mrs. Roosevelt presented
their daughter, Alice Roosevelt, now
Mrs. Nicholas Longworth, to society at
the White House the event was followed
in the same Winter by ball for her In
Mrs. Townsend's home. The Winter
President and Mrs. Roosevelt presented
their younger daughter. Ethel, to So
ciety while in the White House the
event was followed by one of Mrs.
Townsend's elaborate flower balls in her
honor.
HOnored Helen Taft.
In the following administration, when
the late william Howard Taft was Pres
ident, Mrs Townsend showed the same
attention, to Miss Helen Taft, now Mrs.
Frederick j. Manning, in the year she
made her debut at the White House.
When Miss Townsend and Peter @.
Gerry were married the President and
Mrs. Taft and almost the entire cabinet
and diplomatic corps were guests.
Mrs. Townsend was almost the only
hostess In washington who fairly en-
comprised the question of precedent,
entertaining the most important off,
Gals. diplomats and others without ever
having a question raised. She was con-
sidered an authority on all social sub
jects.
Possessed Of great wealth, Mrs. Town
send gave constantly and literally with
out permitting her name to be used in
announcements
She retired from an active part In
society nearly 10 years ago on account
Of i'll health, but constantly drew her
old friends about her. Once an tmpor-
tant factor in life at Newport. she went
abroad in later years, generally taking
q cure at some famous spa during her
travels