Evening star., 1932-02-21

Y has been luLuQg JtScu during many
decades with intimate memories OF
George Washington, who once was its owner.
Now because it flanks the new highway which
leads to Mount Vernon and the Tomb Of the
Nations first President it Is being approached
by th-ongs
Almost one-third of the newly completed
boulevard is positioned in this area which has
seen little change and virtually excitement
since Civil War days.
Beyond the boundary Of this 2000-acre abode
of distant associations the Mount Vernon Me-
mortal Highway passes many houses and nu-
merous places which saw Colonial history made.
It goes near to the school which Washington
prov ided for the education Of orphaned chill
dren Close by its side is Christ Church in
Alexandria, wherein is the pew which was
occupied by the illustrious man and his fam
ily And many lanes and roads over which
the Old Dominions most famous citizen used
to travel are the new thoroughfare's neighbors.
But in no portion Of its course does the
memorial highway come In closer or more
abundant contacts with vestiges of George
Washington's personal interests than when it
crosses the forgotten farm" which was part
Of the original Mount Vernon holdings.
About midway between Alexandra and
Mount Vernon a small bridge known as ''The
Wellington Overpass" spans the boulevard
Land between that bridge and Mount Vernon
and between the Potomac River and point
approximately one and one-hah miles inland
once comprised Washington's River Farm" At
the time Of his death this tract included ap-
proximately one-fourth Of the Mount Vernon
lands It was one Of the five major divisions
of the estate
More than 10 years have elapsed since this
area passed completely from the hands Of
Washington's descendants.
"A /ASHINGTON purchased the River farm
w in 1760 for the price Of three dollars an
acre He bought it from william Clifton. who
built the house bearing the name "Welling-
ton" which still stands and may be seen from
the boulevard. It was in this house that
Charles A. Washington, granddaughter Of the
general was living when he sold the last por-
tions Of the River Farm held by descendants
of his illustrious ancestor.
Under the terms of George Washingtons
will Wellington was occupied for some time by
Col Tobias Lear, who was private and military
secretary to the general and tutor to his
adopted children Tenancy Of the house and
a large section of land surrounding 1t was
bestowed upon Col. Lear for the term OF his
life as mark of appreciation for the services
he had rendered After Washington's death,
however, Lear went to Santo Domingo as
United States consul, assuming that position
in 1902
The wellington estate then was held by two
generations of Washington's descendants until
1859, when the property was sold to Stacey H.
Snowdcn under very interesting circumstances.
Snowden, a young man. had just received
an inheritance. He had left his home in New
Jersey to go to the West Arriving in WASH
ington, he decided to delay his journey long
enough to visit the tomb at Mount Vernon
He went to Alexandria and set out on foot
from that place. Then, after having reached
Mount Vernon with his respects paid to WASH
ington's memory, young snowden began the
long walk back to Alexandra. Night soon
overlook him and he became lost in q strange
place