Evening star., 1933-01-15
g5!5;:: Fl SfKEg &97gZ pZa2E d32 / 2l
Historic Homes
Continued from Ninth Page

COHttnued from Ntnth Fuge
Potomac; and another brother, Gov. John Hos
kins Stone, distinguished himself on the field
of battle.
Gen. William Smallwood, commander of the
Maryland line, savior of Washingtons Army at
the battle of Long Island and Governor of
Maryland from 1785 to 1788, resided at his
estate, Mattawoman, overlooking the creek
from which the estate took its name. Gen.
Smallwood, educated in England, bachelor,
Mason, churchrnan, soldier and Governor, was
one of the outstanding men of the many sent
forth by Charles County during those stirring
times.
Mattawoman stands today apparently
mass of ruins, although the fine paneling
around the fireplace in the drawing room, not
withstanding the fact that it has been exposed
to the elements for number of years. is still
intact and bears every mark of its original ele-
gance and beauty. The old mansion has been
described as as"well built brick house. one story
and half high, with tall steep roof, having
dormer windows on each side."
There are four rooms and a hall on each
floor. The cellar, with its hand-wrought beams
and fine and meticulous brick work, is as dry
today and as safe from the battle. of the ele-
ments as it was in the day when George WASH
ington and Gen. Smallwood trailed down
The Society for the Preservation of Maryland
Antiquities has recently purchased the SMALL
wood house and will restore and maintain it as
q Maryland shrine.
Smallwood Church road, in more recent
times called Johnnycake road, winds from the
shores of Nanjemoy Greek, past old Durham
Church to Mattawoman, and this road was
used by Smallwood on his trips to the church In
which he served as vestryman.
George Washington, who is believed to have
been a frequent visitor at Mattawoman,
sometimes attended Durham Church with
Smallwood. This was during the rectorship OF
the Rev. Walter Hanson Harrison, who
built Holly Springs, an old place still standing
on the shores Of the Potomac. The Holly
Springs house. now fanked by a frame addl-
ton, Is story and a half high. Its walls are
Of brick, covered with white pine clapboard-
ing and an enormous chimney stretches across
one end The mahogany paneling, which lines
the walls of the old drawing room, and the
deep-set corner cupboards are fine examples OF
Colonial woodwork The arched hallway on the
lower hoor the fine mahogany staircase and
the uneven floors are among the other features
Of the old house which excite the visitors in
terest
Holly Springs has passed to various Charles
County families since Parson Harrisons day.
Mrs. Robert Marbury, who finally inherited
bids fair to remain for many years to come, Is
its present chatelaine.
Parson Harrison, the builder of Holly Springs,
was brother of Robert Hanson Harrison VINO
served aide de camp to Gen. Washington
and afterward as judge of the Supreme Court.
Another brother, william Harrison, served as
member of the Continental Congress from
1785 to 1877. President Benjamin Harrison
and President William Henry Harrison were
descendants of this family.
= overlooking Mattawoman Greek, was built
prior to 1720. 1t was the home of the Widow
Elbeck, referred to by Washington in his diary.
Anne Elbeck, her daughter, became the wife OF
Col. George Mason of Gunston Hall.
Among the numerous other spots of great
historic interest in this section are Causine's
champion of woman's rights In Maryland, and
Charleston, the home of Daniel Jenifer. who
served four sessions in Congress during the adj
ministration of William Henry Harrison and
John Tyler and later served as United States
Minister to Austria. Clay Calhoun and Web
ster were among Daniel Jenifers friends enter
tanned at Charleston.
During the past year markers have been
erected, pointing the way to many Of Charles
County's historic spots, which previously es-
capped the attention Of the casual motorist.
ANSWERS.
n fo.,l n lsa