===================================================================== Match: Bowles Source: DC-OLD-NEWS-L@rootsweb.com From: Jamie Perez <jamiemac@flash.net> Subject: The Washington Post, February 2, 1896 - CARROLL MANSION The Washington Post, Sunday, February 2, 1896, pg. 7 FAMOUS MEN VISITED THERE. Chief Justice Fullerís New Home Has an Interesting History. The fact that Chief Justice Fuller has bought for a residence the large house that stands on the corner of Eighteenth and F streets attracts attention to that section of the city, which is composed of those who are known as the old residents of the Capital. In the neighborhood of the mansion are the homes of Gen. Miles, Secretary Herbert, and only a block off is the famous old ìOctagonî house, which was once inhabited by the Tayloes. On the corner of G and Eighteenth is the dingy old building now used as a place for the War Records Office, but which was in days gone by the home of Jefferson Davis, when he held a position as a member of the Presidentís Cabinet. The Carroll mansion was built about sixty-four years ago by a gentleman named Ringgold ñ that is, it was commenced but not finished by him, for the work of completion was done by the Carrolls. It was purchased and finished by Mr. William Thomas Carroll, at that time clerk of the Supreme Court. This gentleman was a nephew of old Daniel Carrollton, of Duddington. Mrs. Carroll, widow of William Thomas Carroll, lived in this house for many years and did not die till a few months ago. Belonging to the Carroll family of Maryland, a family which is one of the most prominent in America, the Carrolls were leaders in the society of that day and during all of the administrations prior to the late war it was at this house that the finest entertainments were given. Old Daniel Carroll owned the greater part of Washington, but his lands lay in the east, and he held them so high that he drove buyers to the west, where now the fashionable section is situated. When the house was built t! he grounds about were extensive, and there were but few houses near. Large gardens and dirt drives then filled what is now asphaltum streets and row on row of brick houses. In the Carroll mansion such men as Clay and Webster were frequent visitors and old Justice Taney used to come every Sunday to dine with the family. The father of Mr. William Thomas Carroll was Charles Carroll, of Belleview, the grandfather was Charles Carroll, of Carrollsburg, who was a first cousin to Charles Carroll, of Carrollton. The family of Carrolls are descendant from one of the early Kings of Ireland. William Carroll had eight children, the only surviving girls being Mrs. Bowles, Mrs. Brown, and Countess Esterhazy, who now resides in this city. While originally on a level with the street, the mansion is now on a terrace formed by the cutting down of the streets during the time that the city was beautified by the direction of Shepherd. The house is a large, square, red brick, with a high wall, which incloses [sic] an old-fashioned garden on the right side. In the front hall one finds the stairway leads down to the front gate, and all of the numerous rooms are grouped about this central stairs which form a sort of an open court in the center of the house from top to bottom. The mansion was furnished in things which have been in the family for years, but most of them have been disposed of at private sale to the members of the immediate family. Just why Chief Justice Fuller wished to desert the lovely part of the city in which he now resides for the sober and more somber quarter in which the old Carroll mansion now stands is not understood. His present home is a fine one, on the corner of Massachusetts avenue and Eighteenth street, right in the heart of the fashionable section of town and surrounded by many magnificent homes of diplomats and wealthy private citizens. The present home is prettily furnished, and one would have thought that the Justice would have selected a home in that neighborhood, but it may be that he wishes more quiet than his situation now affords. Before it is ready for occupancy there will have to be a great many changes made in the old house to bring it up to the modern idea of necessary comfort, but with the expenditure of a small sum, the house could be made into a strikingly handsome one. Transcribed by: Jamie M. Perez jamiemac@flash.net ìTrying to confirm or refute that CORNELIUS McLEAN SR. (circa 1774-Sep. 12, 1836) of Washington, D.C., was the uncle of WILLIAM McLEAN CRIPPS (1799-1876) of Washington, D.C, and, furthermore, that Cornelius was born in Staten Island, NY.î ================