Evening Star Newspaper, October 19, 1930, Page 95

heirs of Gerald Alexander sued to recover i and won in the courts. « “At the time of the Civil War the property was owned by Maj. Bushrod Washington Hunter, a descendant of the Alexanders. Both ke and his son served in the Confederate Army. “The properly was confiscated by the Gov- ernment. The younger Hunter recovered it after the war, largely through the aid of James A. Garfield.' A short time later he sold it and the house has been on the decliné ever since. “Strippéd by souvénir hunters and occupied by families with little appreciation of its his- torical 'significance, it gradually became a complete ruin, until its days were ended by fire yesterday.” " o " Eleanor (Calvert) Custis, through her mar- riage with Dr. David Stuart, had seven chil~ «dren and died April 28, 1811; : Fielding Lewis, the father of Lawrence Lewis, who married Nellie Custis, built for his bride, Betty Washington, sister of George, the cele- brated old mansion at Fredericksburg called Kenmore, and here they were married. It seems that Betty was very anxious to be the mistress of a fine house, and her husband, be- ing financially able to do so, had Kenmore constructed. Many years ago it was said of the place that: “The mansion is large and well preserved outside, though the interior decorations de- cayed at an early date. The original frescoing of walls and ceilings, which so pleased Madam Betty's esthetic taste, was the work of an English soldier captured during the Revolution and sent for safekeeping to Fredericksburg, The tradition in the family was that immedi- ately after finishing his work he accidentally fell from the scaffold and was killed. The old building has recently besn purchased by a gentleman from Baltimore, and he has under- taken to restore its former splendor.” Tutoldmmionmllshndsuthceomer of Lewis street and Washington avenue, and 8 EESsglof relics, but even if such were the b Government obtained a wonderful bargain, f it is probable that the present day some of the pieces would bring this price E for viewing boats on the Patomac; used during the War of Revolution; shaving glass, also used during War for ‘Independence. An _English keyed zither and case owned by Nellie Custis is shown. It is inscribed “Long- man & Broderip, London,” and was presented to Miss Custis as a birthday gift by Gen. Washington. This young lady was evidently musically inclined, for we find here, too, a ::hoga.ny music case which also belonged to s Several Chinese tea chests; a Tectangular mahogany chest presented to Washington by his half brothér Lawrence and used at Mount Vernon; a remnant from ome of Mrs, Wash- ington’s costumes, and a worsted lamp mat used by’‘the first President; an invitation card; oil painting of Washington, artist unknown, and miniature portraits of both him and Mrs, Washington, and ever so many other interest- ing relics. Thé authenticity of this collection naturally adds greatly to its value, and before it was taken over by the Government each article was checked over by the commissioner of patents, Gen. Ellis Spear, nearly all of the relics having been on exhibition in the Patent Office at the fully examined these relics and submit the following report— “The relics consist of a large number of articles chiefly of personal and household use. “The following inventory was made by the family and has been carefully verified by me. “One large mirror; two small mirrors. “One dozen handsome parlor chairs. “Two armchairs. “One large easy chair in which the general sat a few minutes before his death. “One double brass candlestick by which the Farewell Address was written, “Two silver-plated candlesticks. *“One large and two small plated waiters. “One field glass used in the Revolution, “OnCEPYEhs 58) MPL4T B2 . THE. SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, -D.-C, OGCTOBER - 19, 1930; “Knives and forks. *“One plated cake basket. 2 “One large mahogany box In which silver plate was kept. . “Two mahogany footstools and three carpet- eovered footstools. “The robe in which he was christened. “Three silver-plated lamps. “Half dozen silver-plated saltcellars. “Thirty-six pieces of chinaware. “One bedstead presented to Mr. Lawrence Washington by his _ friend, Admiral Vernon, and by Lawrence left to his brother, the general. “One marble-top table 4 feet in length by 3 feet in breadth. “One guitar presented by Gen. and Mrs Washington to Miss Nellie Custis. “Miniature portraits of Gen. and Mrs. Washington on wood, painted by Trumbull. “One shaving glass in frame with drawer. “An engraving of the Countess of Hupting- don presented by her to Gen. Washington. “Several souvenirs of Washington, consist- ing of ormamental works and household articles. 66 A LL of these relics have been continuously in the ‘possession of the Lewis family since the death of Gen. Washington. They were received by Mrs. Lewis, who was the adopted daughter of Gen. Washington and the wife of Maj. Lawrence Lewis, his nephew, and were in her possession until her death can be mo doubt whatever. “The miniature portraits were considered excellent likenesses and are now in good con- 4 iZadk owned -by Furnjture the statement that Pleiding Lewis was married twice, his first wife being Catherine Washing- ton, by whom he had a son, John, By his second wife, Betly Washington, sister to the general, three children are mentioned—Law- rence, Robert and Howell . Lawrence Lewis, no doubt because of his marriage to Nellie Custis, was a great favorite with the first President and Mrs, Washington and they were frequently together. ’ Indeed, Lawrence was with the general on.what was probably his last visit ta Alexandria, when, on his way home, he was thrown from his' horse, as related by his nephéw, George Washington Custis, who says: . o “It was in November, late in the evening. The general, accompanied by Maj. Lewis, Mr, Peake (a gentleman residing in the neighbpr-:. hood), the author of the ‘Recollections,’ and & groom, were returning from Alexandria. to o sffount Vernon. Having halted for a few mo- S SRR SR S Ry 4 case in the National Museum, showing Washington’s uniform and his camp equipment. ments, the general dismounted and, upon rsing in his stirrup again, alarmed at the glare roadside, sprang from came heavily to the ground. empty in an instant and we give -our assistance,” fearing he was unnecessary, The vigorous upon his feet again, brushing the his clothes, and, after thanking us prompt assistance, observed that 'he hurt, that he had had a very complete and that it was owing to a eduse t horseman could well avoid or econtrol; that -was only poised in his stirrup and had n '§!§:§§E§ id s8R x5l S¥8 Washington at Mount Vernon, as exhibited in the Museum. -3 i. 53 , encountered our flying and brought them .to us. remounted and soon the ernon were “seen glimmering- of both " and w:w-mn% land upon which now stands Wood- B §§~§E§ gi{?f B EF s Vernon about two ‘weeks before the death of Washington; Prancis, Lorenzo and Eleanor. LAWR.!NCI LEWIS, nephew of Washingtom, died at Arlington, November 20, 1839, and is buried at Mount Vernon. Nellle (Custis) Lewis, his wife, died at Audley, in the Shenan- doah Valley, July 15, 1852. Her body brought to Mount Vernon that she might beside her illustrous foster parents. has told of the long funeral process the Shenandoah to the Potomac, in beautiful and touching way: “To the watcher from the farm village that must have been a mournful funeral procession, indeed, wended its course down the long Virginia way from the Shengndoah to the Potomac, hearse containing the remains of the grandmother, and a solitary carriage panying, with the two surviving o3> TR HHT ! i is % { T _§§E§§ m HHTH one favored claimant of his choice, she had received the congratluations ings of so many of her kinsfolk Many of the citizens of Alexandria ington and the surrounding country came pay their tributes of fond r gard to ‘Nelly’ as she lay in state sion,” and to see the last of * Down in the family burial p! waters of the river on whose pleasant she had passed so many happy days in hood and youth, dust is very near to of her kind and monument marks her last the following inscription: “ ‘SACRED To the Memory of ELEANOR PARKE CUSTIS, i ig “Reared under the roof of the Father of his Country, this lady was not more remarkable for the beauty of her person superiority of her mind. Roua'ru:wxs.m«nemum married Betty Washington, married Judith Walker Browne. He was born in Kenmore and of Robert Lewis, Esqr, died January 17, 1829. Aged about 60 In the various relations of life he was fai courteous and kind, this cotpora ¢ g Justice and maintain ' truth! | good order and religion, he di of a ha‘ppy}mmrhllty. e : “Touchinig this spot lte the s of hig | Gy Kexahe SRNAOURL