• .M9 M9 ^' Copy 2 ^^jlSTHICT of COLUMBIA, CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF TICK i; c:¥' 1876, ^VTTH ^ISJlSr^LS PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ACT OF CONGRESS AND THE PROCLAMATIONS OF THE PRESIDENT. WASHINGTON : O. H. REED, PRINTER. 1876. .mm BY THE PKESIDE^T OF 'J'HE UNITED STAl ES OF AMEKlCA. A PKOCLAMATION. Wlu'ivas a. ioint rcsDlufion of the Senate and Honse of Representativts of tlio United States ^vas dnl.v approved on the 13tli day of xMarcli last, wliich resolution is as follows: "Be it resolved hy the Senate and Bouse of Ihpresemtaiires of the Unitid " States of America in Congress assembled. That if be, anu is hereby, reconi- " mended bv the Senate and Honse of Representativi's to the people of " the several States that they assemble in their several counties or towns " on the approaching centennial anniversaiy of our national independ- "euce, and that they cause to have delivered on such day an historical "sketcli-of said county or town from its formatioji, and that a copy of " said sketch may be filed, in print or manuscript, in the Clerk's office of '■ said county, and mi additional copy, in print or manuscript, be filed in " the oftice of the Librarian of Congress, to the intent that a complete " record may thus be obtained of the progress of our institutions during " the lirst centennial of their existence." And whereas it is deemed proper that such recommendation be brought to the notice and knowledge of the people of the United States : Now, therefore, I, Ulysses S. Grant, President of the United States, do hereby declare and make known the same, in the hope that the obiect of such resolution may meet the approval of the people of the United States, and that proper steps may be taken to carry the same into eifect. Given umler my hand at the City of Washington, the twenty-iifth day ( ^-^-^ ) of May, III the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and < SEAL. > seventy-six, and of the independence ol the United States the ( ^-'^^^ ) one hundredth. o ., T. -. U.S.GRANT. By the President : HAMILTON FLSH, Secretary of State. G-ift FOUKTH OF JULY 1876. •' In response to the foregoing proclamation a meeting of the citizens of Mount Pleasant was hoLl on the 30th of May, and a committee appointed, consisting of Samuel G. Arnold, Henry 0. Harmon, Benjamin P. Davis, Paris H. Folsom, and Lyman S. Emery, 'to make appropriate ar- rangements for'the observance of the Fourth of July and commemorative of the Centennial anniversary. The return of the day was publicly greeted at half-past six o'clock at the Village Hall by a meeting for prayer and thanksorivino-, in accordance with the following proo- lamation : BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. A rROCLAMATIUN. The ceiiteuiiial aiiniversnrv of the day ou which the people of the United States dechxred tlieir li-rht to a separate and equal station aiiioiig the Powers of the earth seems to demand an exceptional observance. Thefonudersof the Ciovernment at its birth and iu its ieel)leness in- voked the blessings and the protection of a Divine Providence, and the thirteen colonies and three millions of people have expanded uuo a na- tion of strencth and nnnibers commanding the position which then was asserted andfor which fervent prayers were then ottered. It seems iittinsithat on the occurrence of the hundredth anniversary ot our e,xisteiic<' as a nation a grateful acknowledgment .should be made .o Almighty God for the protection and the bounties which he has vouch- safed to our beloved country. ^ . ^ r,. ^ ^^ 1 I therefore invite the cood people of the United States on the approach- ing Fourth dav of Jnlv. in addition to the usual observances w.th which they are accustomed to greet the return of the day, further, in such man- ner and at such time as in their respective loi-alities and reli gionS asso- ciations n!a\ be most convenient, to mark its recurrence by s oiiie public religious and devout thauk.sgiving to Alniighry God for the blessings which have been bestowed upon us as a imtion during the century ot our ' existence, and humbly to invoke a continuance of His fa\-or and ot His protection. , n i i j.i i In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. . , -, ^ -, • ^, Done aftlie city of Washintrton, this twenty-sixth day ot Juue.m the C -.^ ^ ) year of 'our I^ord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-six. ) SEAL, [and of the independence of the United States of America tlic ^ v-^^^/ ) one hundredth. /-.T3 4X''r I, . o. (jrKAiN 1 . Bv the President : HAMILTON FISH, Scoriary of State Edward S. Peck presided and opened the exercises by reading the Psalm of Thanksgiving contained in the 18tli chapter of 1st Chronicles ; after which appropriate prayer and addresses were made. At ten o'clock A. M. the people assembled at the grove adjoining the village, where the exercises were continued, under the following programme : 4 ANNALS OF MOUNT PLEASANT. PKOGRAMME. Prayer by Rev. F. E. Freenuiu. Address by the President, J. W. Biiker. Singing, "Old Hundred." Reading the Declaration of Independence, by W. C. Lipscomb, Jr. Original Poem, by S. G. Arnold. Singing, "Hail Columbia." Address by H. L. Piper. Singing, "The Red, White, and Blue." Reading of the Annals of Mt. Pleasant, by H. C. Harmon. SENTIMENTS. 1. The President of the United States— S. G. Arnold. 2. The Army— L. S, Emory. Singing, "Glory Hallelujah." o. The United States Navy— J. S. Delano. 4. The Press— A. W. Eaton. .5. Our Flag— E. S. Peck. Singing, "The Star-Spangled Banner." (i. The American Congress— Hon. O. D. Conger. 7. The Original Thirteen States— Hon. J. R. Tarbox. •S. The Union— T. J. Lasier. Singing, "America." / / y 9. The School-House-J. S Brown. yH/L^ ^^ cCZ'H^^ ^ ^ * 10. The Fathers of '76— Hon. O. D. Conger.'' '^ ' * • 11. The Pulpit— Rev. F. E. Freeman. Singing, "Hold the Fort." 12. Mount Pleasant— H. C. Harmon. 13. The First Resident— A. L. Sturtevant. Singing, "Home, Sweet Home." Benediction. President, J. W. Buker ; Vice Presidents, E. S. Peck, H. C. Harmon, S. G. Arnold, F. Mattingly, John B. Bloss ; Secretary, Thomas J, Lasier. Committee of Arrangements — S. G. Arnold, L. S.Emery, .J. S. Delano, H. C. Harmon, T. J. Lasier, P. H. Folsom, B. P. Davis. The exercises of the day were closed by au evening fes- tival of the young people at the hall, under the auspices of the Sabbath-school, A. L. Sturtevant, president. After the singing of various national airs, Miss Ella Nichols re- FOURTH OF JULY 1876. cited the "Union Forever." Miss Belle Harmon read a Centennial poem, and Miss.^Aggie=4t^and Master Cliarlie Sturtevant sang respectively the "Star-Spangled Banner" and the "Tax upon Tea." The exercises were closed by a few well-timed and patriotic remarks by B. i . Davis and the singing of "America." A HUNDRED YEARS. Oue bund red busy years ! Ho^s- unuh they mean ! What niiuhtv revolutions have thty seen . What i)roirre"ss of the arts ! What i)rogress of the pen ! What breaking down of wrong ! What hitmg up of men ! Wfll may we boast our victories nobly won ; Our rapid progress to wan Is the setting sun ; Our broad (hunain— its evei y acre tree, Stretching its giant arms from sea to sea ; Our white-winged commerce o'er the stormj uruic , Our wealth of prairie, forest, farm and mine. And, more than These— what still the spirit hies, Those sterling virtues of our noble sires. Which wedded them to freedom as to lite, In face of frowns and threats and deadly strile, And held them to their self-iinposed decree To pay no sordid tax on British tea. Thev stood as stands the rock upon the shore When angry waves around it foam and roar ; And, bt>ndiiig not before the tyrant s blow, Hurled swif I defiance back upon the Uw. You know the rest. Their stubborn, jilucky will Brought Concord, Lexington and Buuker-Hin. It brought stern war ; and men with liated breath Saw the destroyer, red with lire and death, Stalk through the land to lay tiie fairest low And scatter wide the direful seeds of woe ^^ But, "where there is a will there is a way. And so there dawned at last, a better day Patient endurance ! Ah ! it conquers still ; It forms the climax of a manly will ! It foiled the evil purposes designed And gave a new born Nation to mankiiul. Nay, more ! unknown it held at its command These hundred years of progress in its hand : These years of toil and growth, all richly traught With schools and churches, and uufettered thought— A precious gift, a princely, royal dower. Of onward progress and advancing power ! The age is "fast" and whatsoever lingers Is rudely thrust aside by nimbler fingers. Life's panorama of eventful range Glitters with visions of amazing change. Our mothers with the needle slowly wrought, Chatting with children or absorbed in thought : Patient, persistent, grave perhaps, or gay. Obedient to their needs they stitched away, 4ud our good households, in those olden days. Attest the merits of their faithful ways. il/^ LA^ .^.li. ANNALS OF MOUNT PLEASANT. But, times have changed. B^ihold another scene ! List to the pacing elicit of that machine ! Follow the needle— if, perchance, the eye Can catch its motions as the stitches liy • See how the stniK;' moves on all neatly sewerl, Treading its wonted way as on a road, Corded, or hemmed, or gathere ,, as yon please, And moving forward with surpassing ease, Its stitch the very magic of our time^, More deftly woven than our magic rhymes. Those homely methods could not always last ; The " good old times" must drop into the past. The nimble knitting on a wintry nigat, . Around the blazing lire, cheeiinl andbrigUt ; The twirling spindle, and the maiden s tread, As, with a whirl, she drew the tiny thread ; The beam and shuttle of the household looin- Which had its corner or its special room ; The flax and distatf of the " little wheel ; The windinir into knots upon the reel ; Are household pictures faded and gone l)y ; Aiid, in their place a thousand spindles ply, A thousand looms, moved by some mountain stream Or, ready, busy, many-handed steam. Steam is our hand-maid, faithiul,deft, and strong. That pushes fast the moving world along. It speeds the shuttle, spins the spindle round ; Wheels monstrous burdens o'er the graded ground ; Brings Iron from the mine, and c< al and lead ; Lifts rocks and metals from their mountain bed ; Rolls out our iron, beats the pond'rous trip ; Hammers and saws and sails the fastest ship ; Stitches our garments, ploughs for unsown seed, And prints the Daily Paper which we read. The Daily Paper, now in every iiaiid, Sheds light and knowledge through the teeming laud And we behold the prkss a ruling power, Grown stronger by the change of every hour. The wooden Rainage working witliout stint, For our good sires :i hundred sheets might print Within the hour. Long since it passed away. A thing most useful, it has had its day. Oh, Fkankmn! couldst thou from thy sleep arise! What thrilling wonder ! what enwrapped surprise ! Thy sympathetic bi'east would surely know While gazing on a mammoth working HOE ! Weavv and strong, and moving with a will. It whirls and rattles like a cotton-mill. And many a snowy bank piled hugely high. And many a hand is taxed for its supply ; And, Oh ! Amazing! it with ease completts Within the hour, full twenty thousand sheets. So, too, of old, the painter slowly wrought With his good eye the face or scene he caught. And then "with color, brush, and master skill Proceeded patiently his sketch to fill. ' - •! Few walls were garnished then with works of art ; Few pictures graven — save upon the heart. But, siDce DaQUERRE, no painter like the sun ; Who takes our portraits ahnost on the run ; Whose brush of rays with color overflows And every ardent look a picture shows. To rich and poor he gives his genial ray, And gems for all are radiant every day. FOURTH OF JULY 1876. Uouipaiiions, lovers, parents, children, all ; The poor man's Cottage and the rich man's Hall, Attest the largeness of the painter's will. And share the bonnties of his matchless skill. In " seventy-six, " if Post-man did not fail, Letters went slowly in the weekly mail : And, if demands more urgent chanced to press Relays of horses proved a fleet express. Behold what change ! With rail and steam combined And d;iilv mails, the news wouldlag behind But for those magic wires which stretch afar. On which the lightning drives his xuiseen car. His flying coursers sweep along their Avay, O'er land and sea, by darkness and by day, Now. down beneath the ocean's surging tide, On the long calde through the deep tliey ride. Now, mounting on the endless net of wires. On, on, with speed that never flags or tires, Counting all time and distance as but nanght. Leaping or flying, as a flash or thought. To bring from every land subdued by man, From England, Egypt, China and Jajjan, The news, like manna, gathered fresh and sweet To be reported in the daily sheet. The fastest travel in the olden age Was in the rocking, bounding, four-horse stage, Wliich, swinging, jolting, as it rolled along Behind its heavy horses, slow and strong, Full ofU'U pausing to obtain the mail Or fresher horses, as the worn ones fail. Could, in its steady tread of night and day Scarce make its hundred miles of weary way. The driver was a man of conscious power. Of business air and prompt to day and hour. Who answered questions and would oft expand On title deeds and ownership of land. Or village gossip, tales and local lore And. Oh ! the bundles, messages and notes he bore! Missiles of business, love, and strange embraces : Of shows and auctions, trainings and the races ; And when his mellow horn blew loud and clear To sound a warning that the stage was near, A crowd of gossips, thus informed before. Would meet in knots around the tavern door, To get tlieir papers, notes or other dues. Or see the team, or hear or tell the news. He, likearoyal sovereign, had his throne. From which he ruled his princely realm alone ; And, when he gathered up his double reins, That magic power that governs and restrains. No Emperor, with high, imperial will. Could wield his stately power with better skill. His watchful subjects, mindful of his way, Bent all their humors to his fltful sway, Anh if, perchance, in aught they seemed to lack. The long lash quivered with a thundering crack, While every muscle trembled at the sound. And every hoof was ready to rebound. Those days have gone. The stage has passed away : And, in its place, the level.irou way Bears on its track the stream of busy life That sweeps with curi;ents strong as human strife. The iron horse with glowing embers fed. Paces, impatient on his graded bed And breathing smoke and sparks of glowing fire ANNALS OF MOUNT PLEASANT. Suggests a demon or some monster dire. But, kindlv treated, on his trusty road, No ox is half so patient of his load. With scores of laden cars bound to his tram He bears our freight and travel o'er the main, Laughs at all toil and, with herculean power. Wheels off his load at sixty miles au hour. In morals, too, the ever waging strife Bears hard upon the hoary wrongs of Jiie.— Strange ! that our sires who pledged their all to ije Fromevervforeignpower so nobly free, . Should not have spurned the coffle and the chain Aub banished slavery from their wide domain ! But, no : alas ! For twenty shametiil years Tha licensed slave-trade filled the land with tears. Ane when, at last, the foreign traffic o'er. Our ships their stolen freight no longer bore, Bondmen at home, scourged to reluctant toil. With sweat and blood bedewed our vugiii s(nl. Then followed strife which promised no repose Till the black crime was beaten out by blows. Fierce and more fierce, the angry contest raged Till its wildfurv all onr states engaged ; And slavery, beaten oft, "pushed to the wall. Met, on a tield of blood, its final fall. Oh, diretul war ! destruction in thy hand ! The sword, the torch awaiting tliy command ! Engine of Tyrants, since the world began. To build up Empire and belittle man ! Begetting woes no tongue can ever tell, And breathing sulphur from the pit of h ell ! Thou com'st in mercy when thou coni'st to save ! Thou com'st an angel— to redeem the slave ! Within the cycle of these hundred years What clouds disperse ! What darkness disappears ! What explorations science has begun ! What triumph after triumph has it won ! The moon and stars that gem the arch of night Are caught in shades of photographic light : Tlie goldeu sun, that royal fount of day, That drives his tiery car so far away, Is not so far but science can evoke His hidden secrets with the spectroscope ; And the deep sea, far down beneath its waves, Can hold no more the treasures of its caves. A hundred years ago where was the West ? The migrant's hopeful home, the settler's rest ? The Alteghanies were our bounding zone ; And all beyond was mystery — unlaiown. That mighty valley, now with states bestnd. Through which the Mississippi rolls its flood. Was tangled woods and wild uncultured lands, Roamed by fierce beasts and naked, savage bands ; The golden coast, with all its treasures rare ; Its mighty trees ; its mountains ribl)e(l and bare ; Its rapid rivers choked with water-falls ; Its gloomy canons with their rocky walls ; Its mines of gold and silver, salt and clay ; Its famous city and unequalled bay ; Its deep Yosemite, eucascd in stone — Were in the distant future— blank, unknown. In seventy-six these homes we hold so dear, Our own Mt. Pleasant, had no being here. The Piuey-branch went singing on its way FOURTH OF JULY 1876. And many a bird, as now, ]>oured forth its lay ; And sweet arbutus bloomed among the trees And shed its fragrance on the vernal breeze: And the great sun looked down with strange delight On the wide forests stretched beneath his sight — A lovely Eden in the deep profound ! An Piden— but, no man to till the ground! No school-honse where an empty heatl could till ; No Hall for worship, lecture, or quadi ille ; No tower among the half-clad, long-armed trees, With spreading wings to wrestle with the breeze And teach the waters a )iew l)ent of flowing That Beam might show what he could do by— blowiui A hundred years ago, just as to-day, The broa Potomac swept its devious way, And dear Mount Vernon from its sheltering wood Looked (h»wn, as now, upon the moving flood. But Washington with all its towers and domes, 1 ts gilded palaces and humble homes. Has nestled down upon its river shore Long since the war for liberty was o'er. And, far and near, on river, lake and plain, From sea to sea, in all this grand domain, Thus cities rise to mark the rolling years. And thriftful progress everywhere appears. As through the clouds a gleam of light will play. And, glinting backward, paint reflected day. So, through the past, reflected we may see, Glimpses of what our future years will be. But glimpses only ; for the clouds still bide, And naught can draw the dusky veil aside. But who can doubt, if thus the past appears, Our country's glorj in the coming years ? Its happy homes with grace and culture crowned. Where light, religion, faith and truth abound, Its teeming millions living more and mor« For that great Future lying just before ; And its strong arm stretched out to shield and save The struggling nations that are true and brave' So may it be ! Its armor ever bright, Its sword drawn only to maintain the right. Washingtox. D. C. , 187(5. A N X A J. S OF MOUNT PLEASANT, PREPARED I?Y n. C. HARMOX, B. P. UAVIS, J. H. BLOSS, S. G. ARNOLD, w. c. LIPSCOMB, JR., A. L. STURTEVANT. MOUNT PLEASANT. The village of Mount Pleasant, settled and occupied mostly by Government employees, is the outgrowth and result of the law establishing the seat of Government of the United States on the Potomac ; and its history is therefore intimately associated with that event. Durino- the war of the revolution and down to the inauguration of the Government under the Constitution on the 4th of March, 1789, the governing power, such as it was, vested in the Continental Congress, which met wherever conven- ience or necessity dictated. But just alter the close of the war, on the 21st of June, 1783, while this body was in session at Philadelphia, it was exposed to the insults and jeers of a riotous mob, which the State authorities failed to control, and which caused the adjournment of Con- grees to Princeton, jNT . J., where its sessions were held in the College Hall. This unpleasant incident created a prejudice against large cities as proper places for the meeting- of Congress, and suggested the propriety of buildings for that purpose, located beyond the reach of all such turbulent influences. Accordingly, in the same year, on the 7th of October, Elbridge Gerry otiered a resolution that buildings for the use of Congress be located on or near the Delaware liiver, or on the Potomac River, near Georgetown. After undergoing some changes, one of which was the erection of buildings at both places, the resolution was adopted, but was rescinded the following Spring, on the 26th of April, 1784. October oOth, of the same year, Congress met at Tren- to:i, IST. J., and the subject was again taken up, but no 12 ANNALS OF MOUNT PLEASANT. detiuite actiou was had. The next year, 1785, when Con- gress was ill session in N. Y., the subject was further con- sidered ; the prevailing sentiment being in favor of build- ings on the Delaware in Penn., immediately across the river from Trenton, But as there was a strong party in favor of the Potomac, nothing definite was done. Two years later. May 10, 1787, Wm. Lee, of Va., moved a resolution that buildings for the use of Congress be erectea on the Potomac; but the resolution was lost, N. Y., Va., and Ga. only voting in the affirmative. This appears to have terminated the etibrts of the Continental Congress to establish for itself permanent quarters'; but it was one of the first subjects that engaged the attention of the Constitutional Congress, which assembled in N. Y. in 1789. On the 5th of September of that year a resolution passed the House of Rep. tljat the permanent seat of Gov't ought to be established on the Susquehanna Kiver in Pa, In the Senate the resolution was amended by specifically naming Germantown, in Pa., as the place lor the future seat of Gov't. The amendment was concurred in by the House, which also made some slight changes in the reso- lution, which rendered it necessary to send the resolution back to the Senate, where it was lost for want of time. In the follows ing year, May 31, 1790, a bill was enacted^ and became a law on the 16th of July following, locating the seat of Gov't on the Potomac at some place between the mouth of the Eastern Branch and the Connogo- cheague. This law was amended March 3, 1791, so as to authorize the President to locate a District of 10 miles square, above Hunting Creek, and to include a conven- ient part of Eastern Branch, and the town of Alexandria, and providing that no public buildings should be erected, otherwise than on the Maryland side of the Potomac Hiver. In pursuance of this law, a commission, consisting of Thomas Johnson, David Stuart and Daniel Carroll, was appointed to survey the District. On the 15th of April, 1791, they placed the corner stone at Jones Point, just be- low Alexandria, with public ceremonies, in which the Masonic Order took a leading part. On the 9th of Sept, following the commissioners in- formed Maj. L'Enfant, Gen. Washington, surveyor, that they had agreed to call the Federal District the Territory FOURTH OF JULY 1876. 13 of Columbia, and the b'ederal City the City of Washing- ton, and directed him to entitle his map accordingly. That part of the District which n* w bears the name of Mt. Pleasant was detached from the patent of Lord Balti- more, long anterior to the Revolution, and appears to have descended through Robert Peter and Eliphas Doug- lass to Anthony Hoi mead the great-grand-father of Wil- liam Holmead, one of the present residents of Mt. P.eas- aut, and proprietor of quite a large portion of the origi- nal estate, lying east of 14th street road. For many years the famous race course was located here, and occupied a large portion of the plateau on which the village now stands. The track was an exact circle, one mile in ex+ent, and swept around on both sides of where 14th street now is, and between the house of Mr. Mattiugly and .the old Georgetown road running east and west, th^n between the college property and the Sherman property. The Hth street road was open only to the race course, the gate of which was at the terminus. The west side of the track must therefore have passed near the Houses of Mr. Stur- tevant, Mr. Peck, Mr. Davis, Mr. Simmons, and the two houses of Senator Sherman. It w^as on this course that the world celebrate race was contested between Sir Henry and Eclipse, in which Eclipse was the victor and made the fastest time then known to the sporting world. Anthony Holmead had his property re-surveyed April 18, 1795, when it extended across the 7th street road on the east, and over-lapped the boundaries of George- town and Washington city on the south and west. This property, then known as Pleasant Plains, and which now properly falls within the limits of Mount Pleasant, extends to Rock Creek and Piney Branch, em- bracing, in addition to the village proper, the Rosemount and section of the Rock of Dumbarton property, and the Ingleside, or Gen. Walbridge estate on the west, the Eslin estate on the south, the Holmead estate on the east, and extending to the Hall and Lewis estate on the north. At the death of Anthony Holmead, in 1802, he be- queathed his property to his two surviving sons, John and Anthony, the eastern portion going to Anthony, and that upon which now stands the larger part of the village 14 ANNALS OF MOUNT PLEASANT. going to John, who died intestate, leaving three children, Matilda, Henry, and William. Matilda and Henry died without issue, leaving William the sole heir. In the mean- time the estate had been much diminished by sales, but the part retained was in the immediate vicinity of this village ; and the homestead, where Mary Holmead, the widow of William, now resides. On the 20th of January, 1850, a portion of this prop- erty, lying west of 14th street, was conveyed to J. Ross Brown, the famous traveler, who on the 25th of February. 1850, conveyed it to Wm. Selden, who built the house, or a portion of it, now owned and occupied by S. P. Brown, Esq, Mr. Selden was a Virginian, had been Treasurer of the U, S,, and at this time was marshal of the U. S. Supreme Court, He occupied the property 10 or 12 years, down to the outbreak of the rebellion, in which his sym- pathies were with the South, where he owned considera- ble property. Hence, the war cut off his principal re- sources, and from this and other causes his estate here became encumbered with various deeds of trust. These deeds were released to S, P, Brown, and on the 30th of May, 1862, the property was conveyed by Selden and wife in fee simple to Mr. Brown, consisting of the buildings and about 73 acres of land lying north of Linneau Hill road, now called Park street, and between the estate of the late Gen. Walbridge and the 14th street roadway. At the date of purchase by Mr. Brown the property was occupied by the military forces of the Government, the Gthreg't Pa, cav. vols, having quarters at and near the Selden House, with barricades extending as far east as the property now owned by Mr. Exley ; and after the second battle of Bull Run Gen. Banks' forces occupied the prop- erty also for a short time. Immediately upon the withdrawal of the military forces from the place, Mr. Brown commenced the improvement of the estate, by enlarging, improving and erecting buil- dings, and refencing the land and setting out fruit and ornamental trees, and upon removing his family thither, gave it the name of Mount Pleasant. During the entire war a large portion of the property adjacent to 14th street road on either side, and north of Boundary street, was occupied for army purposes, and one of the most extensive and capacious of the buildings was given the name of Mount Pleasant Hospital. Fourth of july 1876. 15 In 1862, the uiicertanity which hung over the national contest, had greatly depressed the price ot property and the purchase of Mr. Brown was therefore made at a very low price. But immediately after the close of the war, real estate began to recover from its depression and in- dustry and enterprise to resume their accustomed channels. Hence there were frequent inquiries for suburban property ; and as these multiplied it occurred to Mr. Brown that he might do good service to the public and to himself by sell- ing oli" a portion of his farm in lots suitable for suburban residences. Accordingly, in May 1865,he surveyed and laid out his first sub-division, which contemplated the opening of but one street, which he named Sheridan Avenue. The lots on this avenue and Linnean Hill (now Park street,) were as now located, having a frontage on the south 100 feet ; but on the north side of Sheridan avenue they had a frontage of 132 feet and dei)th of 330 feet, sufficient to make one acre of land in each lot. These lots were offered for sale at public auction in June 1865, but prices not proving satis- factory , one lot only was sold at auction, and four at pri- vate sale. The lots sold were tliose lying between Sheridan avenue and Park street. Washington Tilley, purchased two, Ephraim Wheeler and son two, and Henry Nicholson one. Thus was inaugurated the movement which has resulted in the building up of the beautiful suburban village of Mount Pleasant. And while S. P. Brown, Esq., is not the oldest or first living resident within the present bounds of Mount Pleasant, he is the first resident of the village proper, and may be justly regarded as the pioneer and founder of the village; although impetus was given and character added to the movement by the purchase and im- provement of the proi)erty on and near Howard avenue, in 1866-67, by certain parties of which more will be said hereafter. As brief personal notices of the residents of Mount Pleasant will form a part of these Annals, it may be proper to give here a brief sketch of the founder of the village. Saniuel P. Brown, was born in Hancock county Maine, and for some time was engaged in the survey and explor- ation of timber land in that state, and in teaching schools; 16 ANNALS OF MOUNT PLEASANT. subsequently he was extensively engaged in the lumber, granite, and ship-building business in Maine, and in the timber trade in Florida. He was a member of the Legis- lature of Maine, at different times from 1845 to 1859, and in 1860, was a candidate for Congress in the Sixth District. In 1861 he removed to Washington, and was appointed naval agent in April of the same year. In addition to his Mount Pleasant enterprise, he built several- elegant and costly residences in the city, and in 1863, projected and built the Metropolitan street Railroad, and was its first president ; soon after he was appointed by the President a member of the Levy Court, and upon the creation of the Territorial Government, was appointed a member of the "Board of Public Works," upon which he served as one of its most useful and energetic members. A few days after this auction sale, lots Nos. 4 and 5, fronting on Park street, were purchased by J, S. Brown, jjl^ Esq. Mr. Brown commenced to build in the Spring of n 1867, but his house was not completed until the Spring ot 1868 ; althou2:h it was so far tenable that he moved his family into it on the 7th, of December, 1867. Mr. Brown is a native of New Hampshire ; removed to Washhigton, D. C, in 1850 ; and is by profession a solicitor of patents, and is now and has been for several years a member of the board of school trustees of the District of Columbia. He was formally a contributor to the New Haven Pal adium. On the 7th, of July 1865, Issac Bond, then a clerk in the Post Office Department, purchased lot No. 28 lying on the north side of Sheridan avenue. The first house in the new village was built by Mr. Bond upon this lot — a small ' house 12 feet square of two stories, in which he lived for about a year, and while the Bond house as we now know it was gradually developing its proportions, Mr. Bond was an intelligent and conscientious Quaker, who had the old fashioned Quaker scruples about running in debt, so his main house went up slowly and mainly by his own exertions. He died of consumption in 1872, greatly re- gretted by his neighbours ; his widow sold the property to J. B. Bloss, Esq., in December, 1872, who still owns it. It is now occupied by H. K. Redway, sargent of the County Police. Mr. Redway is a native of , and removed to the District of Columbia in 18 , ''Vf^'^a.Afi-. Fourth of july 1876. 17 Lot No. 6 fronting on Park street, was purchased iu July 1865, by W. C Lipscomb, Jr., who built thereon the second house of the village, and moved his family iuto it on the 25, of April, 1866. Mr. Lipscomb is a native of George- town, D. C. and at the time of removal to Mount Pleasant was a clerk in the Sixth Auditors' Oliice of the Treasury Department ; he is now and has been for several years, one of our eminent county school teachers. The third house was a small house built in 1866, by Ephriam Wheeler, on lot No. 14, and occupied for a while by Mr. Hendrik. Mr. Wheeler subsequently enlarged his home and occupied it several years with his family, and in 1873, sold the property to Dr. John H. Darrell, who further enlarged and improved the buildings. Dr. Darrell, the present owner is a native of Marylatid : was in his youth a page iuthe House of Representatives, and is now by profession a Doctor of Dentistry. " After the sale of lots on Park street, and the one pur- chase by Mr. Bond, on Sheridan avenue, no further sales were effected for about a year. In the Summer of 1866, a large number of gentlemen, mainly clerks in the Gov- ernment employ, held a series of consultations with the view of acting together in the purchase of property tor making themselves homes in the suburbs of Washington. At tirst the number was about thirty, and through their committee and agents they examined all the eligible po- sitions then in the market, and among others the property of Mr. Brown. They found Mr. Brown disposed to for- ward their object and they made proposals to him, which he accepted ; but from various causes only ten out of the thirty adhered to their purpose. ItVas to accommodate the views of their new purchasesr that Mr. Brown made his second sub-division, which added Howard avenue. Brown street. Center street, Merid- ian avenue, and Oak street to the original plat. By this action several important charges were made. Sheridan avenue which was originally 60 feet wide, was narrowed to 45 feet; and the acre lots on the north side were reduced to half acre lots, extending from Sheri- dan to Howard avenues. Acre lots with the same fron- tage 132 feet, were laid out on the north side of Howard avenue, and were to exteni through to Meridian avenue ; then the opening of Brown street brought into favorable 18 AXNALS OF MOUNT PLEASANT. notice a tier of lots rumiino; tbroiigb to Piney Braucli road, on which was a growth of oak trees, making tliem particularly desirable for building purposes. These ten uew purchasers were to have their lots at the rate of .$650. per acre; and they located their lots on the newly opened streets, as follows : James S. Delano,Lots ilTos. 19-20, one acre on the north west corner of Howard avenue and Brown street ; J. W. Buker, two acres. Lot No. 38 next to Mr. Delano's, north extendirg from Brown street to Piney Branch Road : S. n. Goodman, one acre Lot, Xo. 39 north of Mr. Burker, bet- ween the same street and road. E. S. Turner, Nos. 36-37, two acres, fronting 132 feet each on Howard avenue, and extending along Brown street to Meridian avenue; E. A. Pratt, No. 35, one acre, 132 feet on Howard avenue, next east to Mr. Turner; P. HL. Folsom, one Lot No. 34, next east of Mr. Pratt, but not quite so wide, a few feet having been taken off for the opening of Center street, along which it extended to ^leridian avenue. Mr. Folsom was not in fact one of the original purchasers, having made his contract at a later date and at an advan- ced price ; then going east and passing the lot now owned by Dr. Breed, one Lot No. 32, on the same side of Howard avenue, taken by B. P. Davis ; and one Lot No. 31, next east of Mr. Davis taken by A, L. Sturtevant ; then crossing to the other side of Howard avenue, one of the half acre Lots No. 2-1, extending through to Sheridan avenue taken by T. M. Exley, and another No. 27, next west of Mr. Bond, taken by H. Baldwin. The deeds to these parties were made on or about July 23, 1866, and Mr. Delano, Mr. Turner, Mr. Pratt, Mr. Davis, and Mr. Sturtevant proceeded at once to build, but owing to the failure and flight of Mr. Moran, the builder, there was some embarrassment and delay. A. L. Sturtevant was the first to complete and occupy his house ; moving into it with his family on the 28th of De- cember, 1866. Mr. Sturtevant is a native of New Hamp- shire, and removed from Mass., to Washington in 1861, and entered into the employ of the United States in the Treasury Department, where he yet lemains; having charge of the Stationery and Printing Division of the De- partment. James S. Delano, came next in order, having complet- FOURTH OF JULY 1876. 19 ed his house and taken possession of it with his family on the 9th of Januaiy, 1867. Mr. Delano is a native of Veimont, removed to Illinois in early life and came to the City of Washington in 1862 ; and entered the Treasury Department where he now remains, in charge of oi^e of the principal Divisions of the Second Comptrollers Office. B. P. Davis followed j\Ir. Delano, having completed and moved into his house on the 26th, of the same month. Mr. Davis subsequently sold the property to Wm, F. Pray, and purchased in May 1872, Lots Nos. 1 and 10 in Block No. 1, Ivinsi: on the west side of Pine street, and extending from Park street to Grant stieet, and built thereon in the Summer of 1874, where he still resides. Mr, Davis is a native of Massachusetts; was in the Union Army during the early part of the rebellion ; Removed to the City of Wash- ington in 1863, and entered tlie Fourth Auditor's Office of the Treasury Department, where he now remains in charge of one of the principal divisions of that office; and at dif- ferent times held the position of county school commis- sioner, trustee and superintendent of public schools. S. E. Turner and Captain Pratt, finished their houses and moved into them the Spring following ; the same year Mr. Turner, sold his house and two lots to John W. Green, who occupied them until 1871, when he sold to Messrs Welker & Hagerty, the present owners ; the property is now occupied by Thoma" J, Lasier, a clerk in the Navy Department. Mr. Lasier is a native of Illinois, and by profession a Civil Engineer, although for several years he edited the Lake Superior Miner in Michigan, and the Clare- mont Ea(/le in New Haven ; he removed to Mount Pleas- ant in 1875. In 1870 the house and lot of Captain Pratt, was sold to A. W. Eaton, the present owner and occupant. Mr. Eaton is a native of Herkimer county N. Y., and is by profession a Journalist ; for many years he was the proprietr-r and editor of the Mohawk Courier, afterwards merged in the Journal and Courier^ and now printed at Little Falls, N. Y., and since his removal to Washington, has been a contrib- utor to the Count 1/ Gentlemen. lie came to Washington at the request of Gen. Spinner in 1832, and removed to ^Mount Pleasant in April, 1870 ; he was for nearly fourteen years in the Office of the United States Treasurer ; and in charge of one of the Divisions of that Office. Prior tc* 20 ANXALS OF MOUNT PLEASANT. coming to Washington, he was also Treasurer of the County of Herkimer, iS\ Y. Thomas M. Exley appears to be the next builder, having built and moved his family to Mount Pleasant in June, 1867; his original lot has been enlarged by the purchase of one half of^Lot No. 25. Mr. Exley was formely a car- penter and house builder by trade, and built his own house at Mount Pleasant; he is a native of New Hampshire, entered the Union Army at the outbreak of the Rebellion from Mass., upon the close of the war entered the Paymaster General's OfKce, where he now remains, having charge of one of the principal Divisions of that Otfice Dr. Daniel Breed appears to have been the next pur- chaser and builder, having purchased lot Ko. 33 on the N. E. corner of Howaid avenue and Centre street, with three large additional lots in the rear, making in all about five acres, lie also bought the rear third ot lot 32 of Mr, Davis, and during the Summer of 1867 erected his build- ings and moved into his house on the 14th of September following. Dr. Jireed is a native of New Hampshire, and came to the District several years before the war. During the war he was connected, with the Medical Department of the Army in the District, and is now a practi'-ing Solicitor of Patents. The next purchase was made on the 6th of April, 1867, by S. G. Arnold and Harry C. Harmon, of lot Ko. 23 on the southside of Howard avenue, and extendmg through to Sheridan avenue. Mr. Arnold taking the Westerly and Mr. Harmon the Easterly half of the lot, each with a frontage of 66 feet and a depth of 180 feet. John B. Bloss was the next purchaser and builder, hav- ing bought lot No. 30, which he now occupies, on the 15th of^April, 1867. He built his house in the summer of 1867, and moved into it in the following September. Mr. Bloss has smce purchased the Bond lot and several other lots in the village. He is a native of New York, removed to the District "from Detroit, Michigan, in 1854, and for many years was employed in the General Land Office, and after- wards had charge of the Railroad Division in the Interior Department. He is now a practicing Land Agent and Attorney. During the same year General Eaton, Paymaster in the United States Army, purchased one of the lots, No. 11. FOURTH OF JULY 1876. 21 original] J purchased by Washington Tilley, and erected thereon the house now owned and occupied by Samuel S. bimmons. Mr. Simmons is a native of Alexandria, Vir- ginia, but for many years, and prior to the purchase of his suburban residence at Mount Pleasant, was in successful business operations in the City of Washington. The next purchaser and builder was Lyman S. Emory, who purchased lot No. 3 on Park street, September 17, 1867, built and moved into his house on the 25th of June, 1868. Mr. Emory is a native of New Hampshire, and at the outbreak of the rebellion entered the Union Army. In 1864 removed to Washington and entered the civil service of the Government in the Internal Revenue Bureau, where he now remains, and for some time having had charge of one of the sub-divisions of that office. S, G. Arnold followed next in order, having built his house in the Summer of 1868, and occupied it with his family in the earl}- part of September of that year. Mr. Arnold is a native of New York, and removed to the City of Washington in the Spring of 1863, when he was appointed a clerk in the Second Auditor's Office. He was subsequently transferred to the Internal Revenue Bureau, where he now remains. Mr. Arnold was, in early life, a school teacher and druggist, but afterwards became a journalist of large experience, having edited and founded several newspapers. He founded and edited the Brooklyn Daily News, the Newark Morning Post, and the Trenton Drdly News, and, at dilferent times, edited the Westchester Spy, the Brooklyn Advocate, the Highland Democrat, Brooklyn Eagle, Trenton Emjjoriimi and Syracuse Daily Chronicle, -^nd the Toledo Blade. Since 1865 has been the Washington correspond- ent of the last named paper, and contributor to various magazines. The next builder was H. C. Harmon, who completed and moved into his house on the 1st of May, 1869. Mr. Har- mon is a native of New Hampshire, and, by profession, a lawyer. He was one of the original Free-State party that went to Kansas, from Massachusetts, in ] 854, to redeem that Territory from the foils of the pro-slavery men — removed to Washington in 1862, and entered the Second Auditor's Office, where he has since been in charge of the Law and Prosecuting Branch of that office. The next house was built by S. H. Goodman, upon his 2 2 ANNALS OF MOUNT PLEASANT. original purchase on Brown street, who completed and oc- cupied the same on the 15th of December, 1870. Mr. Goo 1 man is a native of Massachusetts, and removed to Washington from Chicago in 1862 and to Mount Pleasant in 1867. In 1862 he entered the Treasury Department, where he now remains in charge of one of the Sub-Divisions of the Internal Revenue Bureau. Kext follows Edward S. Peck, who purchased the east half of Lot No. 25, on Howard avenue, in 1871, and built and moved into his house on the 26th of September, 1871. Mr. Peck is a native of New York, and served in the Union Army as Adjutant of the 100th Regiment, New York Volunteers. He removed to Washington m 1865 and entered the Office of Controller of the Currency of the Treasury, where he now remains. During the same year W R. Murphy purchased a por- tion of lot No. 32 of Mr. Davis end built thereon the house now owned and occupied by Jerome F. Johnson. Mr. Johnson is a native of Michigan, served three years in the 2d Wis. Vol.; wounded at Gettysburg, and on his dis- charge from the hospital settled in AVashington, and is the owner of the large temperance grocery store in Masonic Temple. Also, during this year, S. P. Brown erected three houses, one on Piney Branch road, immediately opposite his own residence, and the others on Oak street and Laurel avenue. The house on Piney Branch road is occupied by J. W. Buker, who removed from Illinois to Washington in 1863, and to Mount Pleasant in 1867. Mr. Buker is a native of Maine, and in 1870 was appointed trustee of the county schools, was afterwards appointed collector .of taxes, and in 1873 was appointed by President Grant as a member of the Legislative Council. The house on Laurel avenue was purchased in December, 187-4, by James Hudson, who now owns and occupies it. This property has been enlarged, improved and adorned, 80 that it is now one of the m-^st elegant places in the vil- lage. Mr. Hudson is an Englishman by birth, but came to New York State in early life, where he learned the trade of painter. He came to Washington in 1861, where he t^as since been in successful business as a house and fancy painter. The other is occupied by Charles Earle, also an English- FOURTH OF JULi: 1876. 23 man. Mr. Earle was formerly connected with the British Legations, with Sir Frederick Bruce — came to Washington in April, 1865, where he has since remained, and for several years has been engaged in the merchant-commis- sion trade. He removed to Mount Pleasant in June 1874. Later in the same year, 1871, B. D. Fabyau purchased 15,444 square feet on the northwest corner of Park and Fourteenth streets, and built thereon a store and dwelling house, since destroyed by fire. The store was rebuilt in 1875, and is now occupied by Richard Graham, formerly a merchant in Virginia. In the Spring of 1873, P. H. Folsom commenced build- ing on his lot, S^o. 34, and completed and moved into his house on the 1st of July following. Mr. Folsom is a native of Rhode Island, and removed to the City of Washington, during the early part of the war. He w^as afterwards ap- pointed to a position in the Treasury Department, where he now remains, in charge of the Book-keeper's Division of the Fourth Auditor's OlJice. ISext followed, in rapid succesdon, the houses of C. L. Clark, on a portion of Lot No. 34. George A. Bartlett and Clarence F. Cobb, on Lot No. 16, originally purchased in 1865 by Henry Nicliolson, and known as the Cherry Tree Lot, S. E. Thomasen and Gen. F. E. Foster. Mr. Clark is an Englishman by birth, but came to this country in early youth. He is a carpenter and house builder by trade, and has built several of the houses at Mount Pleasant. At the outbreak of the Rebellion Mr. Clark entered the Union Army, where he served until the expiration of his term of service and removed to Mount Pleasant in 1873. Mr. Bartlett is a iiative of New Hampshire and upon the outbreak of the Rebellion entered the Union Army. Upon the close of the war he entered the Paymaster General's Office, and subsequent!}' the Treasury Department, where he now is, in the Mail Division of the Secretary's Office. His house is built on the westerly half of lot 16. Mr. Cobb is a native of Maryland, and at the beginning of the rebellion entered the Union Army Upon leaving the army he entered the Paymaster General's Office, where he }et remains. His house is built on the easterly half of lot 16. ■The house built by Mr. Thomason, on the easterly half 24 ANNALS OF MOUNT PLEASANT. of lot 17 is uovv owned and occupied by William J. Ketchara. Mr. Ketcham is a native of Xew York and re- moved to the District of Columbia in 1857. He was ap- pointed in the Sixth Auditor's Office of the; Treasury De- partment in 1863, where he no\v remains. Gen. Foster, who was a journalist by profession, was an officer in the Union Army, and in later life was in charge of one of the Divisions of the Pension Office. The property is now owned by his widow, and occupied by Clinton Rice, a lawyer from New York. Subsequently, Edward jST. Houghton, purchased lots 73, 74, 75 and 76 on Laurel avenue, and, in the Winter and Spring of 1875, improved them by the erection of buildings, moving into his house on the Ist of July following. The cottage of Mr. Houghton is a very attractive one, and adds greatly to the beauty ' f the village. Mr. Houghton is a native of Vermont and removed to Washington from New York in 1861 and for a while was a clerk in the Interior Department. He is now a solicitor of claims. Later, in the same year, W. D. Wright purchased the easterly half of lot 40, on Brown street, upon which he has since built a house, which he now occupies ; Mr. Wright is a native of Georgia, came to the District in 1872, and has since been employed in the United States Signal Office. The school-house on Oak street, since converted into a dwelling, and owned by Dr. Breed, was built in 1869, and opened with about thirty -acholars in September of that year, with Miss Lizzie Arnold as teacher, and B. P. Davis as trustee. Our record, thus far, has been confined to the original purchase of land by S. P. Browrv, but in the mean time lots had been purchased and improved north of Howard avenue and west of Fourteenth street, formerly owneil and occupied by Thomas J. Quinter, who built his house in 1862. Mr. Quinter is a native of Philadelphia, Pa., and came to the District in 1839. He still occupies a portion of his property, which was formerly a part of the Holmead estate, and inherited by his wife one of the Holmead heirs. John Eggleston purchased two acres in 1861, and built and occupied in 1869. Mr. Eggleston is a native of Balti- more, but came to the District in 1843, and is well known as one of the principel butchers and market dealers of the city. FOURTH OF JULY 1876. 25 Abram Elkins, jr., then a clerk in the Treasury Depart- ment, bought one acre in 18G7, and built and occupied in 1868. He has since removed. Saniuel W. Estern, a native of Maryland, purchased an acre in 1872, and occupied the same in that 3'ear. He has since further improved the property by the erection of a floral or hot-house. In the year 1867 the tract of land, originally a part of the Holmead estate, lying between Fourteenth street and Pierce estate, on the east and west, and Park street and Columbian College property, on the north and south, was purchased by Senator John Sherman and his brother, Gen. William T. Sherman, and by them laid out in village lots. Maj. S. Willard Sa.xton soon after purchased lots'^17, 18 and 19, on Kenesaw avenue, improved and built upon the same, and moved into his house in November, 1869. Maj. Saxton is a native of Massachusetts, and, during the war, an officer in the Union Army. He removed to the "district in 1866, and has since been in the employ of the Treasury Department, having charge of one of the Sub-Division of the Office of the First Comptroller. In 1875, J. R. Hertford purchased' lots 30 and 31, front- ing on Park street, on this new acquisition, improved the same by the erection of handsome buildings, and moved into his house in April, 1876. Mr. Hertford is a native of England, and removed to the District in 1861, where he has since been in the Office of the United States Treasury, and as one 0+' the committee superintending the destruction of United States currency and bonds. Senator Sherman has also nearly completed two cottage houses on this property, lying immediately south of Maj. Saxton's property and fronting on Kenesaw avenue. During the year 1871 the tract of land belonging to the Joshua Pierce estate, and lying south of Park street and we^\t of the Sherman property, passed into the possession of S. P. Brown, who laid out the same in blocks and lots and offered them for sale in January 1872. This property is also a part of the origiiial Pleasant Plains or Holmeacf estate, and quite a large portion of it has since fallen into the hands of James Robbins and Moses Kelly, of the City of Wash- ington. The first lot sold was for the site of the buildings now occupied by the Mount Pleasant public schools. The school-house, built in 1869, had become too small for the 2-j ANNAL? OF MOr.\T I'LKASANT. wants of the villntrc mid, tlinni^li tlio exertions of B. P. Davis, a hinder one nas erected atid dedicated with puhlic reren»onies in the Sj-rintr of 1872, lion. Fenry 1). Cooke, (governor of the District, lion. John Eaton, Connnistiion«-'r of Edu<-ation and otlier distin*rnislied persons heinir prrsent and participating in the exercises. Mrs Jnlia K. 'i ork was appointed principal teacher in 1871, Miss Kate 8anforrown from JniK>. 187'J to June, 1875 and re-ai.[>oink'd in 187t'). Miss Klkn Kniory was aj.pointed in June, 1872, Miss Delia Tin le in 1H7;}, and Miss Carrie Sj-alding in 1875. Miss Brown, Miss Emory, Miss Tingle, with the piincipal. Mrs. York, con.nitute the ])resent corps of teachers, and the nnnil'cr of seholars ]n\A increased to over two huny K. S. Nichols, a native of Maine, hut who removed to the histriet in l.Si»4, anil to Mount Pleasant in 1874. Mr. Nichols Iuls heen for several years, ami is now, employetl in the Kegi.-ter'si Mliee of the Treasury Department. The same year li. C. Watson purchase*) lot 2, Mock 1, on Park street, ami huilt and moved into his house imme- diately tliereafter. Mr. Watson is an Englishman by l/irth, came to this country in 18GU and injmediately entered the regular army, where he served until wounded at- the second haUle of Bull linn, when he was hrought to Washington, where he resided until hi- remcn'al to Mount Plea.sant in 1873. In October of the ^.^i.M\viuiI. 11. l*armenter, purchased the easterly half of Lot No. 4, and Joseph C. Lewis the westerly half and a [tart of lot 7, fronting on Park street. Mr. Parmenter l>uilt and moved into his house in April, 1875. lie is a native of Massachusetts, and upon the out- break of the Kel)ellion entered the Union Army. Upon the close of the war and his discharge from service lie entered the Ofticc of the Quarter .Master General, where he now remains. -Mr. Lewis completed his house and occupied it in Octo- ber, 1875. lie is a native of Virginia, and, during the FOURTH OF JULY 187G. i:/ early part r.t the wnr served in the Union Army, and after- wards m tlie .Navy as assistant en-ineer. Since the war he Ijas heen, and now is, in tlie Office of the Third Auditor of the Ireasnry FalHno: witlnn the limits of Mount Pleasant, as it is now knmyn, anrl being a part of the orio-inal Holmead estate and J leasant IMains, with which we are now clealino;, comes also the estate of the oldest iidialntant, James EsTin, now 111 the eighty-fourth year of his age, who purchased 40 acres nearly half a century ago. Mr. Eslin is a native of Prince George County, Maryland, and, during olden times, kept a j»ublic house, cock-pit and sporting grounds, where he now lives, which, for many years, was the resort of sporting men, and, even, public functionaries. His son, Columbus Eslin,' now owns and occupies a i)ortion of the estate, immediately west of the Piney Branch road, and his son-in-law, Charles A. Stewart, owns and occupies a fine residence, just west of tlie Eslin Homestead. His daughter, Mary' Holmead and her son, William Holmead, own and occupy the old Holmea