Evening star., 1947-03-23
vELT1
ISLAND, formerly known as
Analostan Island, and as


Analostan Island, and as
one Of Washington's historic
sites, was quite appropriately named
, for the Rough-rider President by
the Roosevelt Memorial Association,
which presented the island to the
Government in 1881. Five years later
paths were cut and trails laid out
and other minor improvements made,
but no effort seems to have been
made to restore it to- its original
beauty.
The history Of the island dates
back at least to 1869. 1t was then
known as My Lords Island, and in
1882, according to a survey made of
1t by colonial authorities of Mary
land It's name was given as
Barbados, and it was also called
Anacostan Island.
In 174o, George Mason, who at
that time owned the island, estab-
lished ferry from that location to
Georgetown. The ferry was one Of
the means by which Braddock
crossed the Potomac in 1855, on his
way to his tragic defeat and almost
annihilation in the Pennsylvania
forests. George Washington also
crossed by this ferry in 1890 and
quite likely at other times. The
island later became the property of
Gen. John Mason.
Too Many Mosquitoes.
Gen. Mason lived on the island
for a number of years, and his son,
James Murray Mason. the Con-
federate commissioner, was born
there. His mansion was one of the
most imposing around the District
of Columbia and here distinguished
Americans and royalty gathered
Science then, however, had not
found way to rid the lowlands of
the Potomac of the malaria breeding
mosquito, with which the place at
times became infested, and So after
living there for nearly half a century,
the general is said to have given up
the place and moved into Fairfax
County.
Prior to this, in 1842. Richard
Smith, as trustee, transferred title
to the island to John Garter and
later John Marbury. as executor for
Carter. conveyed the property to
William A. Bradley in 1851 In 1884
Mr. Bradley became mayor of the
city and served until he. was sue
ceeded by Peter Force in 1886. His
administration was an unusually in
tereSting one, some of the events
being of a tragic nature, such as the
attempted shooting of President
jackson by deranged painter.
An Oldest habitant.
Mayor Bradley was one of the
original members of the Association
of the Oldest Inhabitants. and when
the organization was formed on
December 7, 1865, he was elected
vice president. The other officers
we're: Benjamin Ogle Tayloe, presi-
dent: Peter Force, second vice pres
ident; Nicholas Callan. treasurer;
John Carroll Brent, corresponding
secretary. and Alexander Med. Da-
Wis. recording secretary.
At the following September meet
ing of the Association, held in the
aldermen's chamber, City Hall, the
first vice president of the associa-
ton. William A. Bradley, Esq, ex-
tended to the members of the asso-
citation an invitation to visit Ana
lostan Island part of his possess
sions) for the purpose of having
a social reunion and enjoying his
hospitality" And of this meeting a
press account states:
yesterday was a beautiful and
agreeable day and about IS members
presented themselves on the island,
among whom was Mr.. David Hep
burn, who was born on that island
just about so years since, his father,
John Hepburn, residing there at
that time.
"The association met in the pavil-