Clarens (Alexandria, Virginia)

Clarens is a 19th-century Federal-style mansion in Alexandria, Virginia.[1] Clarens is best known as the residence of James Murray Mason (3 November 1798–28 April 1871),[2][3] a United States Representative and United States Senator from Virginia and grandson of George Mason, a Founding Father of the United States.

While it was formerly located within Fairfax County, Virginia, Clarens is presently located inside the boundaries of the independent city of Alexandria at 318 North Quaker Lane.[4][5]

History

Clarens was constructed between 1814 and 1816.[5] Reverend George Smith operated his prominent "Fairfax School" at Clarens.[5][6] Notable Fairfax School attendees included George Washington Custis Lee and George M. Dallas.[6] During the American Civil War, Clarens was used as a hospital for Union Army soldiers.[4]

After the war, James Murray Mason selected Clarens as the estate at which he planned to retire.[1] At that time, Clarens was located in a neighborhood known as Seminary Hill in Fairfax County, Virginia, three miles (5 km) to the west of Alexandria.[1] On 24 September 1869, Mason officially took possession of Clarens.[1] While residing at Clarens, one of Mason's chief occupations was his correspondences.[1] Former Confederate President Jefferson Davis visited Clarens in 1870 for his final meeting with Mason and Confederate Army General Samuel Cooper.[5] Confederate Army General Robert E. Lee also visited Mason at Clarens after the war.[5] Mason died at Clarens on 28 April 1871.[1]

After Mason's death, Clarens subsequently became a girls school.[5] It was later owned by William G. Thomas.[5] Upon his sale of the property in the late 1980s, Clarens was subdivided.[5] The mansion is currently located on approximately 3.5 acres (1.4 ha).[5]

Before Thomas bought Clarens it was owned by Conrad M Strong, [after his death it passed to his second wife Edna Johnson Strong.] Mr Strong bought it from his cousin Colonel Byrd Willis, with a contingency that his wife Ann Crenshaw Willis live in the wing until she died. This she did. Mr Strong was the great great nephew of George Washington. His mother, Mary Byrd Dallas, was the daughter of Commandore Alexander James Dallas, [brother to the vice-president ] and Mary Byrd Willis. His first wife, Frances T. Perry was the daughter of General Edward A. Perry [of civil war fame] Mr Strong built the guest house, the well house with bridge over a stream, bell tower, colonnade, potting house and log cabin on the crest of the hill overlooking the valley. He designed the circular drive, low walls, and laid out the extensive gardens, field of daffodils, large rose garden etc.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Mason, Virginia (1906). The Public Life and Diplomatic Correspondence of James M. Mason: With Some Personal History by Virginia Mason (his Daughter).. The Neale Publishing Company. http://books.google.com/books?id=at3sbO4U1ZoC. 
  2. ^ Gunston Hall. "James Murray Mason". Gunston Hall. http://gunstonhall.com/masonweb/p6.htm#i256. Retrieved 2009-03-07. 
  3. ^ The Political Graveyard (June 16, 2008). "Mason family of Virginia". The Political Graveyard. http://politicalgraveyard.com/families/10855.html. Retrieved 2009-03-07. 
  4. ^ a b William G. Thomas, III (May 7, 2008). "The Roots of Modern America Blog: History and How We Became Who We Are". William G. Thomas, III. http://railroads.unl.edu/blog/?page_id=12. Retrieved 2009-03-29. 
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i City of Alexandria, VA. "Alexandria Open Space Steering Committee". City of Alexandria, VA . http://alexandriava.gov/uploadedfiles/recreation/info/OpenSpacePrioritiesOpportunities.pdf. Retrieved 2009-03-29. 
  6. ^ a b City of Alexandria, VA (September 7, 2005). "Report on the Open Space Steering Committee Pocket Park nominations". City of Alexandria, VA . http://dockets.alexandriava.gov/fy06/091305rm/di25.pdf. Retrieved 2009-03-29.