Part 21 (1/2)

Some time previously, in 1793, H. Wilbur in the same publication announced that the ”Late Master of the Steine House Academy Brighthelm-stone, Begs leave Respectfully to inform the Public in General that his Academy will open on Monday next, the 27th, inst. for the reception of ten young Ladies at Two Dollars per month, pens and ink included.”

Was Spring Gardens a young ladies academy as well as oysterhouse, tavern and jockey club?

The tradition that Spring Gardens was the second Jockey Club seems to be borne out in the announcement of the spring races which appeared on Sat.u.r.day, May 20, 1797:

Red House Spring Races

To be run for on Thurs. 25th inst. over Jockey Club course. A subscription purse of 100 dollars, three mile heats, free for any horse, mare or gelding. Aged horses to carry 126 lbs; six year old 118; 5 years old 110; 4 years 98 and three years old feather.

On Friday, a Purse of $50.00, 2 mile heats, Sat.u.r.day a Purse of $50.00, mile heats. The Purses shall be at the Post.

The horses to be entered the day preceding each race with me or pay double on entrance; the winning horse on each preceding day only excepted. I have expended a great deal of money in altering and improving the course it is now approved by the best judges of racing. No exertion shall be wanting to give satisfaction by the publics devoted servent.

JAMES GARDINER

Last day a feather.

N.B. The Jockey Club Races will commense on Wed. 20th, Sept. next.

The Races were intended for the 18th, 19th, and 20th, but the commencement of the District Court being altered from the 12th to the 18th inst. was only known this day by the public's obedient servant.

JAMES GARDINER

N.B. On the 15th June following a colts purse or sweepstake will certainly be run for; each subscriber putting five guineas in the purse the day before starting. Several are already entered. The Colts that are admissable may be known by an application to J.G.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Rear of Spring Gardens or Yate's Tavern]

General Was.h.i.+ngton was a visitor many times and on July 4, 1798, he recorded in his diary: ”Went up to the Celebration of the Anniversary of Independance and dined in the Spring Gardens near Alexa. with a large Compa. of the Civil and Military of Fairfax County.”[159] His cash accounts for the day set his expenses in Alexandria ”at the Anniversary of Independance” as 1 4_s._[160] A Philadelphia newspaper gave a full account of the festivities:

_Alexandria_, July 7--The 23rd [_sic_] Anniversary of American Independence was celebrated by the inhabitants of this town, on Wednesday last, with the greatest harmony and conviviality.--Every thing conspired to render the business of the day a varied scene of patriotism and social joy; and the dignified presence of the beloved WAs.h.i.+NGTON, our ill.u.s.trious neighbor, gave such a high colouring to the tout ensemble, that nothing was wanting to complete the picture.

The auspicious morning was ushered in by a discharge of sixteen guns.

At 10 o'clock the uniform companies paraded; and, it must be acknowledged, their appearance was such as ent.i.tled them to the greatest credit, while it reflects honor on their officers and the town--it was perfectly military: ... The different corps were reviewed in King street by General Was.h.i.+ngton, and Col. Little, who expressed the highest satisfaction at their appearance and manoeuvring; after which they proceeded to the Episcopal Church, where a suitable discourse was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Davis. Of this discourse I may say, with the expressive Collins, it was

”Warm, energetic, chaste, sublime.”

A dinner was prepared at Spring Gardens by Mr. John Stavely; which, considering the number of citizens and military that partook of it (between 4 and 500) was conducted with the greatest propriety and decorum.--Ludwell Lee, esq. presided at the head of the table--the foot was honored by Col. Charles Little.... GEN. WAs.h.i.+NGTON was escorted into town by a detachment from the troop of Dragoons. He was dressed in full uniform, and appeared in good health and spirits. The troops went through a number of military evolutions during the day, with all of which the General was particularly pleased, and bestowed many encomiums on their martial appearance.--_Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser_, July 19.[161]

In the last years of his life, the General again ”Went up to Alexa. and dined with a number of the Citizens there in celebration of the Anniversary of the declaration of American Independence.”[162] And again the Philadelphia newspaper reported:

_Alexandria_, July 6.--The 23rd anniversary of the American Independence was celebrated in this town with the greatest harmony and decorum. The military commands agreeably to orders previously given, mustered in the court house square, and the line was formed in Fairfax street. After going through the manual, which was performed with the strictest exact.i.tude, Col. John Fitzgerald, accompanied by John Potts, Esq., pa.s.sed the line in review, and expressed his satisfaction at their military and elegant appearance. The battalion then marched, by sections, up King street, and formed the line there to receive their beloved chief General GEORGE WAs.h.i.+NGTON. On his pa.s.sing the line the usual military honors were paid; and it is with pleasure I remark, that the Cincinnatus of America appeared in excellent health and good spirits.

Lieutenant General Was.h.i.+ngton dined at Col. Kemp's tavern, with a select party of friends.--_Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser_, July 11.[163]

Whether Colonel Kemp at this time kept the Spring Gardens Tavern, the deponent sayeth not!

Thrilling tales of long departed patrons who haunt the old red house are told by the Misses Lewis and Evans, who lived in this house for several years. When the family of three sat down for their evening meal, they were disturbed by the consciousness of the presence of unseen persons.

Often they raised their wine gla.s.ses in a silent toast to the invisible guests and empty chairs. On several occasions a brave spirit clad in buff and blue was clearly seen, only to vanish into the heavy six-panel door--to the utter astonishment of three pairs of eyes. Once on a clear moonlight night, a great brick barn appeared in the place of a modest wooden structure which stands today. The lady who first saw it called her companion and asked her what she saw. The immediate reply was ”An enormous brick barn.” For a while they thought it an optical illusion produced by moonlight and clouds and waited at the window to see the bricks disintegrate into the factual wooden structure. But the ladies retired leaving the great brick apparition still standing. Colonel W.H.

Peake, the recent owner, when told this story, confirmed it to the extent of admitting that there was a large brick foundation under the present frame building.