History of Waynewood

WAYNEWOOD - A Brief History

2007 marks Waynewood’s 50 year Anniversary.

Did you know that you reside on historic property, property that was once part of
the Mount Vernon plantation?

Waynewood is situated on what was River Farm, one of five farms comprising
the Mount Vernon plantation.

In 1754, when George Washington became the sole owner of Mount Vernon, he
began acquiring additional tracts until the plantation grew in size from the
original 2,126 acres to more than 8,000 acres.

The five farms, all highly developed and well-cultivated, were known as Mansion House Farm, Union Farm, Muddy Hole Farm, Dogue Run Farm, and River Farm. River Farm consisted of 1,806 acres and was purchased in 1769.

Using present day landmarks, the original farm was roughly bounded on the north by what is now "Wellington," to the east by the Potomac River, and running diagonally south and west, Little Hunting Creek.

George Washington granted a life interest in the northern section of River Farm (marked on his map as "Wellington Farm") to Tobias Lear, who was his private secretary and tutor to the Washington grandchildren. Lear married Mrs. Washington's niece, Fannie Bassett, and was considered a relative.

After Lear's death in 1816, ownership of the farm reverted to two of Washington's great-nephews, who, in 1859, sold 652 acres of the northern boundary of River Farm to Stacy H. Snowden, a Quaker from New Jersey. The Stacy Snowden property, known as "Collingwood," extended south from Wellington and included a large tract stretching west from the Potomac River to Fort Hunt Road. Joining the Charles Wilkins' farm to the south ("Grassymeade"), this is approximately the site of the present Waynewood subdivision.

An electric car line, established in 1892, ran from Washington, DC to Mount Vernon until the George Washington Memorial Parkway opened in 1932. In 1906, the railway hauled 1,732,734 passengers; and averaged about 26 passenger trains and four freight trains daily between Washington and Mount Vernon.

In addition to the Waynewood subdivision, two stately and historic old mansions, now restored and modernized, stand on the original River Farm property. The Tobias Lear home, "Wellington," at 7931 East Boulevard Drive, was built in 1740, and is now the headquarters for the American Horticultural Society.

The earliest part of "Collingwood," located at 8301 East Boulevard Drive, was built in 1785. Today it is headquarters for National Sojourners, Inc., an organization of active and retired military officers who are Master Masons. It also houses the Collingwood Library and Museum on Americanism. Both properties are open to the public.

Our subdivision was developed by Clarence W. Gosnell, Inc., and consists of approximately 301 acres, which had been acquired from five separate owners. The community was formally opened in 1957. Please enjoy the following pages taken from the original sales brochure for Waynewood.


CONTROVERSY OVER THE ORIGIN OF
WAYNEWOOD’S NAME

As published in the 1999 Waynewood Directory, it was reported that Mrs.
Gosnell, widow of the late Clarence Gosnell, once told residents of our
community that Waynewood was named for General ‘Mad Anthony’ Wayne.
This prompted a lively debate and discussion among Waynewood citizens
regarding the naming, and the fact that Gen. Anthony served the majority of
his career active in the mid-West. Further research found an edition of a
Bicentennial Newspaper from the Alexandria Gazette of 1931 (summarized
below), which emphasized the close friendship between General Anthony
Wayne and President George Washington.

Anthony Wayne was born on January 1, 1745 in Easttown, Pa. During the winter at Valley Forge, Wayne was given the responsibility of securing supplies for the Continental Army. Much of this was obtained from raids into the British line. When Clinton led his army from Philadelphia, Wayne hung on the rear of the English and wherever he went there was always a fight. This young officer was indeed a dangerous foe. In the heated engagement at Monmouth, Wayne’s efforts, perhaps more than those of any other man except Washington, saved the Americans from disaster.

Wayne is often referred to as the hero of Stony Point due to spectacular exploits on July 18, 1776, when he stormed the British garrison at Stony Point and at bayonet point, forced the surrender of a fort which had been considered impregnable.

Early in 1761, Wayne was ordered by Washington to join Lafayette in Virginia where he refused to be
intimidated by Lord Cornwallis. Wayne seriously hampered the British movements and in the engagement at Green Springs, he was opposed by the entire British force. It was here that he demonstrated his great ability as a general.

Following Yorktown, Wayne was sent to the South where he continued active until the British had been driven out. After the war, he returned to Pennsylvania and resumed his civil life. He was a member of the Convention which ratified the Constitution.

In 1782, President Washington commissioned Wayne General-in-Chief of the American Army with the rank of Major-General. He was sent to the Northwest to subjugate the Indians. He marched into a hostile territory, built three forts and offered the Indians peace. The Indians refused, and on August 20, 1794, the two forces met at the Battle of Fallen Timbers. Wayne defeated the Indians, and destroyed their villages
for miles around.

Wayne returned to Pennsylvania from his last battle but was soon appointed by Washington as commissioner to treaty with the Indians. While on this mission, he became ill and died at Presque Lake, now Erie, PA on December 15, 1796.

Loved and esteemed by all his countrymen, a life-long friend of George Washington, no man rendered more than this dashing, fearless Pennsylvanian. Many times the Commander-in-Chief commended him for his bravery and ability. “Mad Anthony” is said to have remarked that he would storm the gates of hell if
Washington would plan the assault.