Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-01-10

and in 1862 he placed $750,000 in the
hands Of trustees for the benefit Of the
poor Of London, to be employed in erect
ing for them model dwelling houses.
He afterward added $1,750 900 to this
benefaction. In 1865 he made a gift of
100000, afterward increased to $780,
900, for the cause of education in the
South. He received from Queen Victoria
the offer Of 4 baronetcy, but declined it.
Mr.. Peabody died in London, England,
November 4. 1869, and early in January,
1870, the British government returned
his body to this country aboard her
majesty's ship Monarch, which also
brought to this country Prince Arthur,
Duke Of Connaught and son of Queen
Victoria. In Washington the Duke ar
rived January ~, 1870, and The Star
tells us he went to the National Theater
to hear william Tell" and that he also
took drive around the northern part
Of the city and stopped at the Soldiers
Home.
Brilliant Ball.
The big event upon this occasion was
the bali given in the Princes honor at
the old Masonic Temple, still standing
at the northwest corner OF Ninth and F.
streets, the building having been only
recently completed at the time of this
function.
The ball was one of the biggest and
most brilliant affairs given in Washing
ton up to that time. The hall was deco
rated under the supervision OF Mrs.
Thornton, who had a special bouquet
of roses prepared for the Prince by John
Douglas, the florist Seven hundred in
vitations were issued for the event.
Indeed, the list Of financiers who
started their careers in Georgetown
would not be complete without at least
mentioning the names of w. w. Cor
coran and Elisha Riggs. However, since
both of these noted men were mentioned
not long since, we will pass on to those
who gained distinction in other &C
tivities
For instance. Benjamin Stoddert, who
became the first Secretary of the United
States Navy and who consequently was
the first one to hold this portfolio and
to sit in President John Adams cabinet.
He also sat for brief while in Presi-
dent Jefferson's cabinet, and toward the
end Of Adams administration not only
filled the office of Secretary Of the Navy
but was also designated by the Presi-
dent as Acting Secretary of War, posi-
ton he filled until the appointment OF
Samuel Dexter.
Though born in Charles County, Md,
in 175l, yet we find Benjamin Stoddert
in 1888 shipping merchant in George
town and member Of the firm of For
rest. Stoddert & Murdoch, and it was
about this time that he built a spacious
Colonial house on Prospect and Fred
erick streets, the latter now Thirty
fourth street.
Benjamin Stoddert was not only a
cabinet officer and a successful mer-
chant. but he also was a soldier in the
War for Independence, joining the Con-
tinental Army in 1776. In January, 1777,
he became captain, and was severely
wounded at the Battle OF Brandywine
the following September, necessitating
his resigning his command less than two
years later. However, he was keenly
interested in the cause, and in 1881. ac-
cepted the position of secretary Of the
Board of War.
Stoddert's Advice.
During the negotiations with the orig
NAL proprietors of the FEDERAL City.
President Washington relied largely upon
the advice and judgment of Benjamin
Stoddert and William Deakins, with
whom lie was in constant correspondence,
until the details were agreed upon
Benjamin Stoddert was the son of
Thomas Stoddert, the youngest son of
James Stoddert a Scotchman by birth
and a surveyor by profession. On June
7, 1881. he secured marriage license at
Marlboro, Prince Georges County, Md,
the other contracting party being Re-
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