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Davidson Family Collection

 Collection
Identifier: PBY011

Scope and Contents

Original and reproduction manuscript/transcript materials document periods in the lives of three Georgetown residents who were owners and residents of one of Georgetown’s storied landmarks, Evermay :

Samuel Davidson (c 1747 – 1810), a real estate speculator and part-owner of the land where the White House stands, began construction of Evermay in 1792. Lewis Grant Davidson (1779 - 1832), second owner of Evermay, inherited the Georgetown property at 1623 28th Street, NW from his uncle Samuel Davidson upon condition that he add “Davidson” to his name. Lewis’ name change made him the first resident of the nation’s capital to take another name legally and required a special act of Congress, signed into law by President James Madison. Samuel Grant Davidson (1822 – 1893), never married son of Lewis Grant Davidson and his wife Eliza (Crawford) Davidson.

See also Peabody Room’s “Davidson” vertical file for extensive genealogical information.

Dates

  • Creation: 1800 - 1900

Creator

Conditions Governing Use

No known reproduction restrictions are on this collection.

Extent

3 Linear feet

Language of Materials

English

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Materials contained in Box 3 were donated circa 1986 to 1988 by Robert Webster Stone, Jr., whose great-great-granduncle was Samuel Grant Davidson. The provenance of the other materials in this collection is unknown.

Processing Information

This collection is unprocessed. It was accessioned by the Library, and was placed in archival containers upon its receipt. A descriptive container listing was created to facilitate access.

Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the The Peabody Room at Georgetown Neighborhood Library Repository

Contact:
3620 R Street NW
3rd Floor
Washington DC 20007
202-727-0233