Evening star., 1952-09-07
Home of the Oldest Inhabitants

49,
Regarding the preliminary
meeting Of the association. held
in this building, The Star Of
December 1, 1865. has this to
say:
Meeting OF the Oldest In
habitants: Last! evening. IN
pursuance to published call
for a meeting Of the oldest resi-
dents Of Washington. the fol-
lowing named gentlemen as
sembled at Masonic Hall ninth
and D streets) to form an as
sociation: Col. John s. VIII
liamS. Maj. Thomas Donoho,
John Waters, William Cooper.
James Clephane, John F. CAL
Ian, F. r. Dorsett. Simeon Mat
lock, c. Cammack, sr.; DIR. A.
Med. Davis, Edmund F. Brown,
John Tretier, George Savage.
B. Sheckell and E. M. Drew.
"Col. John S. Williams was
called to the chair and Mr.. John
F. Callan appointed secretary.
"The secretary explained that
one Of the objects of the meet
ing was to form an association.
Several prominent citizens were
heart and soul In the movement.
but they were not able to be out
after night. among them Gen.
Timothy p. Andrews, Gen.
Weightman, Col. Seaton. Col.
Force, Christopher Andrews, Jo-
seph H. Bradley, Capt. Bairlov
and w. A. Bradley.
"Mr. j. F.. Callan submitted
resolutions that the association
be called The Oldest Inhabi-
tants,' the qualification for
membership being 50 years a
resident of the District and the
payment Of 81 per annum.
after some debate, the reso-
lutions were amended so as to
make the qualifications not less
than As years a resident.
''Messrs. James Clephane.
John F. Callan and George
Savage were appointed a COM
mittee to draft a constitution.
to be reported to an adjourned
meeting to be held on Thurs
day THANKSGIVING Day. at /
o'clock.
Memorable RecoIIeetions
"A conversation took place
among the members of an in
teresting character. during
which it was suggested that
each member had many inter-
esting incidents within his rec
election which were not written
in history, the relations Of which
at the meetings would make
them very interesting.
"The meeting adjourned, to
meet on Thursday at l o'clock.
when they expect to have a
spirited gathering Of the boys
Of 50 years ago"
The formal meeting at which
the association was regularly
organized was held in the City
Hall on December Z. 1885. Again
The Star had this interesting
write-up:
1.-THE Oldest Inhabitants---
Yesterday at l o'clock the Asso-
citation Of the Oldest Inhabi-
tants Of the District of Columbia
met at the council chamber
(City HalD. pursuant to ad-
journment, Col. j. S. Williams
in the chair and Mr.. j. F. Callan
acting as secretary.
"Mr. James Clephane, from
the committee to draft a con-
stitution, reported the same,
which was considered by Sec
tions and. after slight amend
ment. adopted
"The constitution is prefaced
with q preamble, setting forth
that. being anxious to cultivate
social intercourse and unite
ourselves more closely as orig
inal settlers Of the District Of
Columbia, we have formed our
selves into an association: The
name of the association is the
Association Of Oldest Inhabi-
tantS Of the District of Colum-
bia. and persons may be elected
to membership who are so years
Of age and have been 20 years
q resident, each paying 81. The
annual meetings are to be held
on the 4th Of July Of each year,
when the election Of officers
shall take place. and the regu-
lar meetings on the first Thurs
days Of January. April and Oc-
tober. The officers consist Of q
president, two vice presidents,
treasurer. q recording and cor
responding secretary. who are
to hold over till July. 1867. On
the death Of a member it is
expected the surviving members
will attend the funeral In a
body.
"Col. B. Ogle Tayioe said that
he believed he was the oldest
inhabitant present. and he was
In favor Of the name Oldest
Inhabitants. Col aTayloe said
he based his claim on having
arrived here IN the autumn Of
1901