Evening star., 1952-01-20
Residences Of the BIoirs
"reminiscences Of the Eorly Family and
Its Homes in the District Area
By John CIoqett Proctor


an early part In politics. and In 1928
supported Henry Clay for the presi-
dency, but dissented from his views,
especially in relation to the United
States. When. In 1899. the nulliflca-
ton movement was developed in
South Carolina, Mr.. Blair published
an article against 1t In Kentucky
newspaper. which attracted the at
tention Of President jackson. who
invited the writer to become the edi-
tor Of the Globe, Democratic jour-
nal about to be established In this city.
"The Globe was begun In 1880. and
became the organ Of the several sue
cessive Democratic administrations,
Mr.. Blair continuing control Of it
until 1845, when President Polk
thought it necessary for the harmony
Of the party that the organ should be
placed In other hands, offering Mr..
Blair the position Of Minister to
Spain, which was declined.
Retired to Silver Spring
"Mr. Blair then retired to his estate
at Silver Spring. Montgomery County.
Md. After the repeal Of the Missouri
Compromise. he took an active part
in the organization Of the Republican
Party, with which he continued to act
up to the close of the war, since which
he has not figured in politics.
"The funeral of Mr.. Blair will take
place on Saturday at the Rock Greek
Church. The pallbearers have not
yet been selected"
On the day Of the funeral. october
81. The Star said: @
'The funeral Of the venerable
Francis p. Blair, who died at his
residence at Silver Spring, Montgom-
cry County. Md, Wednesday evening.
took place from there this morning at
IL o'clock, and the remains were
taken for interment In Rock Greek
Church. The body was embalmed
and looked very natural. It was in q
handsome walnut casket covered with
black cloth. with panels Of black
velvet, and was furnished with silver
bar handles and lined throughout
with white merino. On top. . silver
plate bearing the inscription, Francis
p. Blair. aged 86 years. On the lid
Of the coffin there was q great pro.
fusion Of flowers arranged in wreaths,
anchors, etc.
Friends at Church
"At the family mansion there were
gathered the immediate family con.
nections of the deceased. and about
apa Kx -
Church, nearby. having arrived. the
funeral procession started to st.
Paul's Church Crock Creek. AT the
church large number of the friends
of the family had assembled, among
them Secretary Robson, Hon. Peter
Parker, Marshall Brown. Richard
Wallach, DR.. j. B. Brodhead, Judge
Olin, Mr.. w. w. Corcoran, DR.. C.. H.
Nichols. Capt. Wright RiveS. Capt.
Patterson, Gen. j. F. Parke, ex-Gov.
Shepherd. Admiral Sands. B. T.
Swart and others.
1.-THE cortege arrived at the church
q few minutes past II o'clock, and
the corpse was borne to the front Of
the chancel. being met by Rev. DR..
Buck and Rev. Mr.. jackson. The
remains were followed by Admiral
Lee and Mrs. Lee daughter Of the
deceased. Hon. Montgomery Blair
and other members Of the family.
"On entering the church, services
of the Episcopal Church were read
by Rev. Mr.. Everett, assisted by DR..
Buck and Mr.. Jackson. during which
the hymn Come Ye DisconSolate'
was sung by the choir. At the con-
clusion Of the services an oppor-
tunity was given those present to
view the remains, and many did so,
after which the corpse was removed
to the vault nearby. In which 1t was
placed"
Montgomery Blair, who was Post
master General in Lincoln's cabinet.
died at Falkland. his country resi-
dence near Silver Spring, Md, pass
ing away early in the morning Of
July 81, 1888. The cause of his
death was Inflammation Of the mem
branes of the spine. from which he
had suffered for some years.
At the time Of his death he was
10 years of age, and besides his
wife, Mary Elizabeth Blair. he left
three sons and daughter: Wood
bury, Gist, Montgomery and Minns
Blair. It is rather unusual that
Francis P. Blair. father Of Mont
gomery Blair, also left three sons
and a daughter: Montgomery. Fran
els. James and Elizabeth.
Jackson Hall, q three-story brick
hlliIdin0 wherein President Zachary
Taylor's inaugural ball was held.
stood from 1845 until recently on
the north side Of the avenue west Of
Third street.