Evening star., 1948-10-10

magnificent white plumes presented
to him by Maj. Gen. Pinckney he
gave to the young bride, preferring
the old Continental cooked hat with
the plain black riband cockage, a
type of the brave old days of '76."
That Washington was happy In
the marriage of his nephew, Law
renee Lewis, and his adopted daugh-
ter, Nellie Custis, Is certainly indi-
Gated by the fact that he gave the
couple 1000 acres Of land upon
which they soon erected the Wood
lawn mansion, west Of Mount Ver-
non, an account of which was writ
ten upward OF so years ago by Annie
Lewis Kelley in an undated article
which follows in part:
"A beautiful park, laid out in
walks and squares and terrace, en-
virons the house. A well-kept ap-
proach in a slightly rising curve
faces the rear door Of the house
through which visitors enter and are
welcomed. A lofty and ample hal
passes directly through the center
Of the mansion and thence out Of
the large, old-fashioned double
front doors onto q beautiful and
classic old portico. This portico Is
supported by six large white pillars
of Doric design. which gleam out ir
the distance as fair and white as
marble, contributing an enchanting
feature to the quiet beauty of the
whole.
Thornton Was Architect
Maryland is seen in the distance
directly in front, a line of ethereal
blue, between which. however, is
the prominent site Of Mount Ver-
non, by which sweeps the broad and
beautiful Potomac with solemn
silent grandeur peculiarly its own
bearing its mighty waters ever on
ward to the sea. Vessels plying UP
and down its channel are plainly
seen from the outlook. Belvoir, the
home Of the Fairfaxes, and the large
tract of forest land embraced in that
old estate. together with Belvoir
Bay. can be seen on the extreme
right. The yellow country road be-
low, with its sinuous windings, is
the same that a century and a half
ago the father of his country, on
his faithful charger, travelled over
so often on his way to Pohick
Church to attend divine services"
There is tradition that the plans
for the construction Of Woodlawn
mansion were made by Gen. Wash
ington. though 1t would seem that
DR.. William Thornton was the ar
chitect, since Gen. Washington S
death occurred four years before
the ground was broken for this his
toric building.
Again, continuing Mrs. Kelley:
"Woodiawn is built Of brick Of an
unusual size and hardness. They
are laid after the old Flemish pat
tern. The builders of that period
often used that style, which was
then considered as nearly perfect
as was known to the mason's art
The mortar used is Of adamantine
hrmness, looking as fresh as when
applied. and showing plainly the
marks of the trowel The interior
finish and styles are much the
counterpart of all Colonial man.
sions, English architecture predom-
mating. The ceilings are high and
the cornices are Of exquisite hand
wrought designs. The wood-panel
finish around the doors and win
dows is a distinctive feature. The
main stairway ascending from the
spacious hall is of solid and durable
but very graceful workmanship
The rooms are large, each contain
ing a deep fireplace surmounted by
hardwood mantels. saving the two
in the parlor and dining room
These are of fine Carara marble
The main house is two stories and
half high, with a splendid cellar
under the entire building
This cellar is cut of into rooms
corresponding with the floor above
each room having a large fireplace
In one room is found an old we'll OF
considerable depth. When and why