Chapter 4: Notes

[Footnote 58: Paul F. Norton, "Decatur House: Design and Designer," =Historic Preservation=, Volume 19, Numbers 3-4 (July-December 1967), pp. 9-24.]

[Footnote 59: Fiske Kimball, =Domestic Architecture of the American Colonies and of the Early Republic=, (New York: Dover, 1966 Reprint), p. 27.]

[Footnote 60: Rowland, =George Mason=, Volume II, p. 369.]

[Footnote 61: H. M. Pierce Gallagher, =Robert Mills= (New York: Columbia University Press, 1935), p. 170.]

[Footnote 62: Deering Davis, Stephen P. Dorsey, Ralph Cole Hall, =Georgetown Houses of the Federal Period=. (New York: Bonanza Books, 1944), pp. 21-23.]

[Footnote 63: Lonnelle Aikman, =We the People= (Washington: U.S. Capitol Historical Society, 1965), p. 33.]

[Footnote 64: H.M. Gallagher, =Robert Mills=, p. 169.]

[Footnote 65: George S. Hunsberger, "The Architectural Career of George Hadfield," =Records of the Columbia Historical Society=, Volume 51-52 (1955), pp. 46-65.]

[Footnote 66: =Ibid.=]

[Footnote 67: =Ibid.= p. 51. See also: Allen Johnson and Dumas Malone, =Dictionary of American Biography= (New York: Charles Scribner, 1932 (1931)), Vol. IV, p. 76.]

[Footnote 68: Letter, George Hadfield to Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson papers. Volume 222, op. 39775, Library of Congress.]

[Footnote 69: =Daily National Intelligencer=, February 13, 1826.]

[Footnote 70: Karl Schuon, =Home of the Commandants= (Washington: Leatherneck Association, 1966), pp. 61-64.]

[Footnote 71: Harry F. Cunningham, Joseph A. Younger, Wilmer Smith, =Measured Drawings of Georgian Architecture in the District of Columbia, 1750-1820= (New York: Architectural Book Co., 1914), Sheets 58-61.]

[Footnote 72: Original watercolor signed "Geo. Hadfield, Sept. 1798," Avery Library, Columbia University.]

[Footnote 73: Murray H. Nelligan, =Custis-Lee Mansion= (Washington: National Park Service, 1950), pp. 2-4, 6, 15, 24. The staff at Arlington House was also kind enough to allow the author the use of Mr. Nellingan's unpublished manuscript on Arlington House.]

[Footnote 74: H. Paul Caemmerer, =Historic Washington= (Washington: Columbia Historical Society, 1960), pp. 34, 39.]

[Footnote 75: Edith Moore Sprouse, "Died in a Kind of Fit Like....", Hollin Hills Bulletin, May and June-July, 1969.]

SUMMARY

It should be clear from the picture of Mason which emerges from an earlier part of this report that his tastes and his capabilities could have included a house designed by a known architect. His family ties, educational background, travels, position and social standing evidence the highest standards of his day. His acquisition of Colross, his sensitive repairs of that structure and the manner in which he seems to have furnished the house again indicate taste and awareness of current architectural trends.

The design evidence indicates that Mason did build well at Huntley, and that he sought assistance in doing so. Huntley's similarities to other area structures designed by the architect George Hadfield are striking. In addition, of all the architects in the area at the time Hadfield was most available and is believed to have already designed one house for the Mason family, Analostan. There is also good reason to believe that Thomson Francis Mason and Hadfield knew each other.

Whatever the derivation of the mansion house at Huntley, it survives as a notable example of early nineteenth century architecture; as an example of a farm or country house of an early nineteenth century city dweller; as a Mason family house and as a part of a well sited and relatively complete complex. When considered together, these factors make Huntley an important architectural landmark.

Figure 28. Huntley, front elevation, 1946. Edward M. Pitt,
Architect. Blueprints courtesy Col. and Mrs. Ransom Amlong. Photo
copies by Wm. Edmund Barrett.]