Evening star., 1932-03-27


at the lower bridge, at the foot of X street
north, and stopped with his nephew, Thomas
Peter, ESQ. I saw him the last time, I think,
in the year 1898. when he crossed the Potomac
in a ferry boat near Aqueduct Bridge, On
each side of Water street, from the foot OF
High street. Georgetown. to the bridge the
citizens were ranged on either side, while cen.
Washington walked between them, uncovered
and bowling to the people as he passed along
I recollect the Georgetown College boys were
all formed in a line ON the north side OF the
street, and nearly opposite to where stood.
They were dressed in uniforms consisting in
part of blue coats and red waistcoatS, and pre-
sented fine appearance. They seemed to
attract the attention of the General very much.
After he had crossed the bridge, and as he
approached the house of his nephew CIhomaS
Peter, his escort, the volunteer companies of
Georgetown, fired few volleys, and then all
dispersed. 1 had no opportunity of seeing his
face distinctly account of the crowd but
I remember he a very large and tall
man"
1t would not be possible thoroughly to de-
scribe all the historic sites in Georgetown in
one short story, and for that reason the writer
will take up but a few of the many important
places.
THE Key House is always interesting, and
it a good move when the Government
recently purchased it as a public shrine. The
old bicycle rider, in particular, will recall this
building which stands on the south side of M
street, a little west of the Key Bridge, which
he had to pass on his way to the Conduit
road. This house is naturally historic, since
it here that Francis Scott Key resided from
1908 to 1928 and here we're born his family of
10 children, and especially because from here
he went in 1914 to secure the release of DR..
William Beans. held a prisoner by Admiral
Cockburn aboard the British fieet, and it was
during this mission that he was detained
aboard the United States cartel ship Minden
and compelled to witness the bombardment of
Fort McHenry, not knowing whether the fort
would be captured not. And it was during
this great suspense = as the hours dragged
slowly on-that the inspiration for the poem
was conceived, eliminating after the battle in
the beautiful cde-"The Star Spangled Ban
ner"
Mr.. F. s. Key-smith, a descendant of tie
author, in writing of this old residence says:
"On old Bridge street, now known as NJ street.
one-half block from what was formerly the
Aqueduct Bridge, stands to this day an old
colonial house, two stories and gable roof, with
dormer windows. To the right of the house
as you enter, is one-story brick Office. Enter
ing the front door, which is situated at the
extreme left of tie building, one enters large
spacious hall running the entire depth of the
house, at the end of which is a door which led
originally into large conservatory. Midway
the length of this hall is large arch, ascend
ing just to the rear of which is a colonial
stairway leading to the stories above. On the
right of this hall are two large spacious par
lors while in the basement below is the dining
ROOM kitchen, and cold room'-a bricked-up
room, with brick floor, well, used as a re-
frigerator and pantry. In the second story
are two large bedrooms and large hall room,
while the third floor contains four bed rooms.
The window panes small. about 4 by
fnn nhnc in ct1 TOD in
was the custom in the days of century ago.
In this noV old historic landmark of the Ma
tional Capital Mr.. Key lived with his family
for many years. 1t here that all of his
children were born and also where he resided
at the time of his memorable mission to the
British fleet.
THE little brick Office was his law Office.
The general appearance of the place is very
different, of course, today from what it was
then. The one-tine beautiful gardens in the
rear of the house, which sloped gracefully to
the edge of the river, have given way to build
ing sites for large factories, warehouses, etc,
while Water street and the Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal traverse them from side to side
Indeed, all of this was true until about 1872
when the hipped roof was removed and other
changes made, converting the building
into two stores. 1t is now intended to restore
it to its original form, and it will be money
weIl and worthiIy spent
A MOTHER old home at 1923 Dumbarton
Z avenue, known as the Foxall house was
built in 1900 by Henry Foxall who furnished
cannon and hot shot with which to fight the
British in the War of 1925, but who later
sold his foundry and returned to England.
However, he was generous father, the story
goes, and presented his daughter, Mary Anne,
who married Samuel McKenney, this residence
rs q wedding present.
Mrs. Mckinney became the mother of eight
children. One daughter died in infancy; three
sons died unmarried One daughter married
her cousin. William McKenney Osborn: an
other, Sarah, became Mrs. Philip T. Berry.