Evening star., 1947-07-27
r AFAYETTT SQUARE is one of
the most picturesque spots in
the Nations Capital, situated

as IL Is, just 10 Lne nOrtH Oh
the White House, and still sur
rounded by some of the most historic
homes in America. However, 1t
does seem that in time its en-
tire transformation will be complete,
and that its skyline will be ruined
by high Office buildings, such as the
American Federation Of Labor
probably contemplates when it oc-
cupies the site of the old Ashburton
mansion at 1928 H street, which it
recently acquired.
Originally this reservation was
known as the Presidents Square
and for many years after the Fed
eral Government moved here, 1t re-
manned just like any other old
common, and it was not dignified
with its present name until some
time after Gen. Lafayette visited
this city in 1824-25.
Plan Was Doubtful.
During President Jefferson's re-
gime the disposition Of this square
was undetermined, and 1t was a
question of whether it should be
square or a circle, or continuation
of the half circle on the Presidents
portico.
The history OF this square shows
that Edward Pierce and James
Pierce were among the signers to
the agreement of March 80, 1791,
and the name of George Walker is
among those who joined in the
agreement at subsequent date, and
for this reason it Is assumed that all
three were Of the original property
holders and that they had by in
heritance, purchase or by other
manner acquired title to the prop
erty. The Pierce graveyard was
situated on tolerably high ground.
In referring to this early ceme-
terry Christian Hines says: "It ap-
peared to me when I first saw it,
to have been formerly inclosed with
q railing. I have passed over it
hundreds of times and believe 1t
was about 80 feet square. The farm
house somewhere near the northeast
corner of Lafayette Square, and
Commodore Decatur's house-an old
barn or tobacco house weather.
boarded with clapboards-stood a
little east OF Gen. McComb's resi-
dence. This I remember well.
New Interment Site.
"Mr. Pierce, one of the family
then lived in Georgetown. I was
well acquainted with him and fam
lily from the time was a boy, hav-
ing lived in a house adjoining his
residence, and, as soon as I under
stood they intended to level the
square, I went over and informed
the family of the fact. Mr.. Pierce
was at that time from home en-
gagged in teaching school on the
other side Of the Eastern Branch,
and would not return until Satur-
day. Mrs. Pierce, therefore, re-
quested me to see the remains taken
up and inferred in another grave
yard and I promised her I would.
communicated her desire to the
Commissioner and he had a case
made sufficiently large to contain
the remains After the earth had
been removed from over the remains
1t was ascertained that there was
little else to take up but few bones
and little black dust. besides, I
believe, a piece of hair comb, some
plated hair, etc. After gathering
the remains together and putting
them into the case we had them
placed in a cart and proceeded to
Holmead burying ground, where
we deposited them. They had,
doubtless, been inferred in what is
now Lafayette Square long before
the Presidents, House was thought
of. 1 marked the spot where these
sacred emblems were placed last, so
that I could point 1t out to the