Evening star., 1938-12-04

to Alexander Hunter. BY the latter
it was willed to Maj. Bushrod Hunter
as trustee for his son, Alexander
Hunter. However, because both
father and son-Maj. Bushrod Hunt
er and Alexander Hunter-served in
the Confederate Army, the prop
erty was confiscated by the United
States Government. But after the
war, through the efforts of Gen.
James A. Garfield, the lamented
President, and Judge jeremiah S.
Black, the land was restored to Alex
ander Hunter. For his legal services,
Gen. Garfield received part of the
estate.
One of the more recent owners Of
Abingdon was Lewis E. Smoot of
Washington, who sold it about 1927
to the Richmond Fredericksburg
& Potomac Railroad. On March 5,
1880, it was destroyed by fire, and
The Star of the following day, said:
Long since ghost-like ruin amid
its briar- -strangled gardens, the ro-
mantle old mansion house of Abing-
don, just across the Potomac from
Congress Heights, was destroyed by
brush fire yesterday afternoon.
The windfanned flames only
completed the work of years and
neglect, and brought to a conclusion
in keeping with its tragic history the
days of the old house on the river
rich with associations Of George
Washington.
For the past three years the house
has been entirely deserted, on g. tract
of land owned by the Richmond,
Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad.
There have been various movements
on the part of patriotic societies to
stop the progress of ruin, but Moth
ing actually has been done.
When Washington married Mar
tina Custis in 1859, she had two chill
dren, a daughter Martha and son
John. He became deeply attached
to these children and was almost
heart-broken when the girl died in
l773.
THE hopes of both Washington
and his wife were then centered on
John. But the youths ideas were not
always those of his elders and he had
a will of his own which not even
Washington could control. He fell
in love with girl across the river,
Eleanor Calvert. daughter of Bene-
dict Calvert of Mount Airy, Nd, and
lineal descendant of Lord Balti-
more. Both of them, Washington
thought, were too young to marry.
They finally were married at the
home of the brides parents. WASH
ington, the records show. attended
the wedding. Martha Washington
felt so badly about 1t that she
would not attend. She had hoped
that her son would study for one
OF the learned professions, but her
hopes were blasted.
"A little later, however, she be-
came reconciled. She write the
bride:
MY Dear Nellie: God took from
me daughter when the June roses
were blooming. He has now given
me another daughter about her age
when winter winds are blowing, to
warm my heart again.
"I am as happy as one so affiict-
ed and so blest can be. Pray re-
ceive my benediction and q wish
that you may long live the loving
wife Of my happy SON."
John Parke Custis, once owner OF
Abingdon, died November S, 1871
when only 27 years of age. Hi
short married life had proved 9
very happy one, and everything
indicated for him bright and hon.
orable career. At the beginning o.
the Revolutionary War he hac
promptly offered his services to hi!
country, and as an aide to Gen
Washington he served with distinc.
ton down to the surrender at York
town. 1t was here, however, that h,
encountered camp fever. Before tn,
actual surrender took place he wa.
forced to leave his post, and he wa.
removed to the home of his uncle
Col. Bassett, at Ethan, situatet
about IS miles from Yorktown.
Soon after the capitulation Wash
ington was informed of the seriou
turn In the condition of his step
son and hastened to his bedside
where he had been preceded b,
Mrs. Washington and DR.. Craik, hi
physician and companion in arm,
He was too late. The swift messenge
Of death had already laid his ham
upon the youthful soldier. who's
ability and virtues had already en-
deared him to those who knew him
Upon his arrival at Ethan, d.
, Craik greeted Washington with tn
sad information and his grief kne'
, no bounds. 1t was, indeed, a ter
Io.. pp0(TOp Dooa NAN