Evening star., 1945-06-17
When Anacostia Was Union Towr


Everything had its beginning. and
50 did Anacostia, which as a subdivi-
sion was originally called Union Town
the name it was known by as early as
May, 1854, when the Union Land Asso-
citation in a newspaper advertisement
informed the public that it had taken
up a tract of land "eligibly situated at
the junction Of the bridge road, Marl-
borough and the Piscataway road
fronting on the river, directly opposite
the Navy Yard"
But, of course, Anacostia was settled
many years before this item was printed
indeed centuries before, not by the
white man but by the American
aborigines, or more specifically by the
Nacochtank Indians. And here was the
residence of chief and 80 warriors.
The name "Nacochtank, being Latin
lied as "Anacostan" by the Jesuits who
came out later with Lord Baltimore, &C
cording to good authority.
The late James Mooney, foremost
ethnologist of his day, says it was prob
ably on the slopes, just across the Navy
Yard Bridge, that battle was fought
In 1922 when party from jamestown,
ascending the river in quest of sup
plies and stopped at settlement on
the south bank at the mouth of Po-
tomac Creek. where they sought food
of the Indians. Corn being the prin-
cipal item desired, the chief said he
had none to spare. but said that Ibis
mortal enemies" the Nacochtanks and
Mayaones, on the other side OF the
river, had plenty, and offered the serv-
ices of so warriors to go and help the
English take it, and this brought on
the battle. in which 18 of the Nacoch-
tanks were killed and the remainder
driven from their cabins which were
then plundered and burned.
First Land Owners
George Thompson and Thomas Ger
rard were the first owners of the tracts
known as Blue Plains, Giesborough and
St. Elizabeth, which they obtained pat
ent to in 1923 and which embrace
Anacostia and its environs.
However, returning to much more
recent period, it was undoubtedly the
Union Land Association that put Ana
costa on the map, so to speak, and
which issued the following statement
on July %, 1854;
The Union Land Association. having
sold and located by ballot the $50
building lots advertised during the last
two months, are now prepared to sell
the remaining $50 lots, with the privi-
lege of selection
These lots are situated directly oppo-
site the Navy Yard and command fine
view of the city of Washington and
the Potomac River, and contain an
abundant supply of excellent water.
Size of lots. "a feet front by l30 deep,
all fronting in a wide street, for the
very low price of s75 payable in small
installments of 50 month. This price
includes the grading of the street, paw
ing the gutter, planting trees, etc. As
sistance will also be given to persons
desiring to build.
Can any one, under such favorable
circumstances, hesitate to procure for
his family home?
"Ofice 7th street above D. Open
from s1s am until pm, and on
Monday until pm
JOHN FOX, Secretary"
Early Residents
On an early map, drawn few years
before the Civil War, the large porperty
holders at that time to the west of
Nichols avenue from the Eastern Branch
south to the District line were Mrs.
Woodruff; at Popular Point, j. Barry;
another tract belonging to the same;
G. w. Talbert Cor Talburtt), D. Barry,
st. Elizabeth's, ]. Perkins, G. w. Young,
just above Giesboro Point; J. F. Young
and w. Berry, who owned an extensive
tract.
In the area between Nichols avenue
Good Hope and Naylor roads, south to
the District line, are mentioned the
following holders of property: G. W.
Talbert, j. Fox, S. Hopf, ]. w. Van
Hook, Sanderson's Tavern, facing
Nichols avenue; Talbert property, W.
Williams, DR.. w. V. H. Brown, Van
Kowicz Conant's Mil Gust inside the
District lne). B. Smith. Mrs. Perkins,
j. Davis, w. Paine T.. Thomas, r.
Moore, j. Moore, A. Addison, j. Taylor,
Tingle, B. U. Keyser, T. Schmidt, T.
jenkins, Thompson, l.. Lucky, M. Still
man, T. Simmons Mcpherson, T. Bruce,
j. Scar, I. George, Moses Kelly, c. j.
Uhlmann, Col. j. H. Wheeler Mrs. A. c.
Livingston. F. Young and J. R. Condor.
During the Civil War there were sew
eral forts in and around Anacostia. At
the top of Good Hope Hill was Fort
Wagner, then came Fort Baker on the
Bowen road, and Forts Davis, Cation,
Dupont and Meigs on what is now Ala
bama avenue. Forts Stanton, Snyder,
Carol and Cradle were to the south
of the town.
William Marbury
william Marbury, an early owner Of
the site of Anacostia, came to the Cap
ital from Annapolis, Nd, in l799, when
he was appointed naval purchasing
agent by President John Adams and
upon the verge of the retirement of
that President from office Mr.. Marbury