Clarens (Alexandria, Virginia)
Encyclopedia
Clarens is a 19th-century Federal-style
mansion in Alexandria
, Virginia
. Clarens is best known as the residence of James Murray Mason (3 November 1798–28 April 1871), 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.
and George M. Dallas
. During the American Civil War
, Clarens was used as a hospital for Union Army
soldiers.
After the war, James Murray Mason selected Clarens as the estate at which he planned to retire. 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
. On 24 September 1869, Mason officially took possession of Clarens. While residing at Clarens, one of Mason's chief occupations was his correspondences. Former Confederate
President Jefferson Davis
visited Clarens in 1870 for his final meeting with Mason and Confederate Army General Samuel Cooper
. Confederate Army General Robert E. Lee
also visited Mason at Clarens after the war. Mason died at Clarens on 28 April 1871.
After Mason's death, Clarens subsequently became a girls school. It was later owned by William G. Thomas. Upon his sale of the property in the late 1980s, Clarens was subdivided. The mansion is currently located on approximately 3.5 acres (1.4 ha).
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.
Federal architecture
Federal-style architecture is the name for the classicizing architecture built in the United States between c. 1780 and 1830, and particularly from 1785 to 1815. This style shares its name with its era, the Federal Period. The name Federal style is also used in association with furniture design...
mansion in Alexandria
Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2009, the city had a total population of 139,966. Located along the Western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is approximately six miles south of downtown Washington, D.C.Like the rest of northern Virginia, as well as...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. Clarens is best known as the residence of James Murray Mason (3 November 1798–28 April 1871), a United States Representative and United States Senator from Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
and grandson of George Mason
George Mason
George Mason IV was an American Patriot, statesman and a delegate from Virginia to the U.S. Constitutional Convention...
, a Founding Father of the United States
Founding Fathers of the United States
The Founding Fathers of the United States of America were political leaders and statesmen who participated in the American Revolution by signing the United States Declaration of Independence, taking part in the American Revolutionary War, establishing the United States Constitution, or by some...
.
While it was formerly located within Fairfax County
Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County is a county in Virginia, in the United States. Per the 2010 Census, the population of the county is 1,081,726, making it the most populous jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Virginia, with 13.5% of Virginia's population...
, Virginia, Clarens is presently located inside the boundaries of the independent city
Independent city
An independent city is a city that does not form part of another general-purpose local government entity. These type of cities should not be confused with city-states , which are fully sovereign cities that are not part of any other sovereign state.-Historical precursors:In the Holy Roman Empire,...
of Alexandria at 318 North Quaker Lane.
History
Clarens was constructed between 1814 and 1816. Reverend George Smith operated his prominent "Fairfax School" at Clarens. Notable Fairfax School attendees included George Washington Custis LeeGeorge Washington Custis Lee
George Washington Custis Lee , also known as Custis Lee, was the eldest son of Robert E. Lee and Mary Anna Custis Lee...
and George M. Dallas
George M. Dallas
George Mifflin Dallas was a U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania and the 11th Vice President of the United States , serving under James K. Polk.-Family and early life:...
. During the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Clarens was used as a hospital for Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
soldiers.
After the war, James Murray Mason selected Clarens as the estate at which he planned to retire. At that time, Clarens was located in a neighborhood known as Seminary Hill in Fairfax County
Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County is a county in Virginia, in the United States. Per the 2010 Census, the population of the county is 1,081,726, making it the most populous jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Virginia, with 13.5% of Virginia's population...
, Virginia, three miles (5 km) to the west of Alexandria
Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2009, the city had a total population of 139,966. Located along the Western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is approximately six miles south of downtown Washington, D.C.Like the rest of northern Virginia, as well as...
. On 24 September 1869, Mason officially took possession of Clarens. While residing at Clarens, one of Mason's chief occupations was his correspondences. Former Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
President Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Finis Davis , also known as Jeff Davis, was an American statesman and leader of the Confederacy during the American Civil War, serving as President for its entire history. He was born in Kentucky to Samuel and Jane Davis...
visited Clarens in 1870 for his final meeting with Mason and Confederate Army General Samuel Cooper
Samuel Cooper (general)
Samuel Cooper was a career United States Army officer, serving during the Second Seminole War and the Mexican-American War. Although little-known today, Cooper was also the highest ranking Confederate general during the American Civil War...
. Confederate Army General Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
Robert Edward Lee was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War....
also visited Mason at Clarens after the war. Mason died at Clarens on 28 April 1871.
After Mason's death, Clarens subsequently became a girls school. It was later owned by William G. Thomas. Upon his sale of the property in the late 1980s, Clarens was subdivided. The mansion is currently located on approximately 3.5 acres (1.4 ha).
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.