This is an article excerpt from the book “Georgetown Architecture – Northwest, Historic American Buildings Survey Selections Number 6” published 1970 and issued by the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, Washington, D.C.
This particular excerpted article is listed in the book as “Daniel Kane House, 1419 36th Street, N.W.” in pages 518-536 and describes the home of our Daniel and Catherine Hegarty Kane who immigrated from Ireland and settled in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. It provides a brief history of the property from 1816-1969 that is quite interesting.
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HISTORIC AMERICAN BUILDINGS SURVEY HABS No. DC-197
DANIEL KANE HOUSE
Address in 1969: 1419 36th Street, N.W., Washington, D. C. (Formerly this address was 58 Lingan Street.)
Location: The house is located on part of Lot 103 in Square 77 in Threlkeld’s Addition to Georgetown, now taxed as Lot 811 in Square 1247 in the City of Washington.
Date of Erection: 1866
Owner in 1969: Dr. Marie Wanek
Occupant in 1969: Dr. Marie Wanek
Use in 1969: Private residence
Significance: Built just after the Civil War, this modest brick house was the home of its first owner for almost a half century. Like other houses in this row the floor levels were altered by the raising of the street level in the mid 1890’s. The entrance, descending from the street, today presents a charming approach to the century-old dwelling.
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HISTORICAL INFORMATION
1816-1853
John Threlkeld first sold the land to John W. Bronaugh, a Virginia planter who had had a six hundred acre estate on Post Road about nine miles below Alexandria, Virginia, which he had advertised for sale in 1810. (1)
In 1816 Bronaugh moved to Georgetown purchasing the south half of Square 77 in Threlkeld’ s Addition, a large purchase for the time in Georgetown land history. (2) Evidently he invested heavily and partly upon borrowed funds for Lots 101, 102, and 103, as well as his large brick house on Fayette (now 35th) Street, were sold in 1820 by the United States Marshal to pay Bronaugh’s many creditors.
Joseph Brookes purchased these three lots as an investment. Seventeen years later, in 1837, Clement Smith bought the property from Brookes. Clement Smith died soon after the purchase, and his brother and trustee under his Will, Walter Smith, settled his debts by selling these lots to the Farmers and Mechanics Bank of Georgetown of which Clement had been president.
1853-1866
This bank held the ground for ten years. Then Lewis Carberry, a civil engineer who was surveyor of the County of Washington and president of the Levy Court of the District of Columbia, purchased it in 1853.(3) When he died in the late 1850’s, these three lots were divided among his four children–James L. Carberry, Joseph F. Carberry, Mary S. Ritchie (Mrs. Joshua A.), and Martha R. Shoemaker (Mrs. Pierce). Joshua Ritchie bought James’ 1/4 share in 1861 and the Shoemakers’ 1/4 share in 1864; and in 1866 he and his wife, Mary, sold Lot 103 to Catherine Kane.
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DANIEL KANE HOUSE
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1866-1914
Soon after purchasing the property the Kanes built a modest brick house, for Daniel, Catherine’s husband, is listed at this address in the 1866 City Directory. (4) In 1865 Lot 103 was assessed to Joshua Ritchie for $500, and listed as vacant. Successive tax records disclose assessment to Daniel Kane for the land valued at $300 and improvements valued at $400. (5)
Daniel lived in this brick house with members of his family for forty-two years. A laborer, he was also occasionally a carter or driver. (6) When his wife, Catherine, died in 1898, Daniel was deeded the inherited shares of this property by his son, Dennis, and his daughter, Mary E. Thorn.
Dennis and his family of nine children lived with his father at 1419 36th Street until 1909 when they all moved to 3308 0 Street. (7) Dennis must have died soon after moving to the new address, for the next year Daniel is living with his widowed daughter-in-law at 3535 0 Street. (8)
By January 1911 when Daniel made out his last Will he had acquired a considerable amount of property–six houses in western Georgetown, three houses in the thirty-two-hundred block of Q Street in Georgetown, and two houses on Myrtle Street, N.W. He died a year and a half later, outliving both his children. By his Will, however, he carefully directed that the income from his real estate be used for the support, maintenance, and education of his fifteen grandchildren with the exception of one: “I direct my executors hereinafter named to pay to my grand-daughter …the sum of Five Dollars and expressedly prohibit them or either of them from giving her under any pretence any other or further sum, her conduct entitling her to no further consideration.” (9)
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Daniel, having advanced from a laborer to an owner of extensive real estate, died in May 1912. Two years later his house on 36th Street was sold to James Woodward, who kept it only a year before selling it to John O’Kane.
1915-1946
John O’Kane held the property for twenty-one years, using it for rental purposes. During his ownership the house was occupied by the Cumberland family, who were laborers and clerks, followed by Harrison Mason, and then Lillian Baker, a charwoman. (10)
Ethel S. Russell bought the Daniel Kane house in 1936. The next year it was vacant, so presumably alterations were made before it was rented to George E. Chamberlain, an engineer, and his family. (11) Before the house was sold in 1945, it was rented to the family of Jacques J. Reinstein, an assistant division chief at the Depart- ment of State. (12)
1946-1961
Having purchased 1419 36th Street in 1946 from William and Jacqueline Morrison who kept it less than a year, William Koren, Jr., a State Department researcher, and his wife, Isabelle, were the first owners since Daniel Kane to live in the brick house. (13) Fifteen years later Mrs. Koren, who had outlived her husband but had continued to live in the house, sold it to Janet Felton.(14) Janet married Richard Cooper soon after acquiring the house; they sold it a year and four months later.
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DANIEL KANE HOUSE
HABS No. DC- 197 (Page 5)
1962-1969
Dr. Marie G. Wanek, Professor of History at Hood College, purchased the century-old house in 1962 and is the present owner.
Original and Subsequent Owners
1816
John Threlkeld et ux Elizabeth to John W. Bronaugh
Deed September 19, 1816 Recorded October 18, 1816 Liber AG- 32, folio 20
1819
Property seized for non-payment of debts.
1820
Tench Ringold, Marshal of the D.C. to Joseph Brookes
Deed July 29, 1820 Recorded August 16, 1820 Liber AZ-50, folio 65
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HABS No. DC- 197 (Page 6)
1837
Joseph Brookes to Clement Smith
Deed November 15, 1837 Recorded November 20, 1837 Liber W.B. 64, folio 409
1839
Clement Smith died in 1839.
Will May 30, 1823 Probated March 29, 1839 Will Book 5, page 108
1843
Walter Smith trustee under the Will of Clement Smith to Farmers and Mechanics Bank, Georgetown
Deed July 27, 1843 Recorded August 10, 1843 Liber W.B. 103, folio 90
1853
Farmers and Mechanics Bank, Georgetown to Lewis Carberry
Deed January 20, 1853 Recorded January 21, 1853 Liber J AS 50, folio 396
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HABS No. DC- 197 (Page 7)
1860
Lewis Carberry died intestate. Estate is divided among his four heirs: James L., Joseph F., Mary S. Ritchie (Mrs. Joshua A.), and Martha R. Shoemaker (Mrs. Pierce).
Administrative Docket 4, page 914
1861
James L. Carberry to Joshua A. Ritchie
Deed April 22, 1861 Recorded December 28, 1861 Liber J AS 214, folio 21
Deeds his 1/4 share
1864
Pierce Shoemaker et ux Martha R. to Joshua A. Ritchie
Deed June 30, 1864 Recorded October 31, 1864 Liber NCT 48, folio 296
Deed their 1/4 share of Lots 101, 102, 103
1865
Joshua A. Ritchie et ux Mary S. to Nicholas Crowley
Deed November 28, 1865 Recorded January 22, 1866 Liber RMH 4, folio 346
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1866
Nicholas Crowley et ux Joanna to Joshua A. Ritchie
Deed July F,, 1866 Recorded November 6 , 1866 Liber RMH 24, folio 100
Joshua A. Ritchie et ux Mary S. to Catherine Kane
Deed August 17, 1866 Recorded December 28, 1866 Liber RMH 26, folio 171
1898
Catherine Kane died July 14, 1898, intestate.
Administration 8519
Dennis Kane Mary E. Thorn children and heirs of Catherine Kane to
Daniel Kane
Deed August 20, 1898 Recorded August 22, 1898 Liber 2312, folio 494
1912
Daniel Kane died May 3, 1912.
Will January 20, 1911 Probated June 17, 1912 Will Book 79, page 218
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1914
Harry A. Hegarty Thomas Splaun trustees under Will of Daniel Kane to James M. Woodward
Deed July 21, 1914 Recorded July 21, 19 14 Liber 3716, folio 495
1915
James M. Woodward & wife, Lillie A. to John O’Kane
Deed October 7, 1915 Recorded October 8, 1915 Liber 3829, folio 278
1936
John O’Kane to Ethel S. Russell
Deed September 14, 1936 Recorded September 15, 1936 Liber 7030, folio 376
1945
Ethel S. Russell to William D. F. Morrison Jacqueline B. Morrison, his wife
Deed September 6, 1945 Recorded October 6, 1945 Liber 8165, folio 381
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DANIEL KANE HOUSE
HABS No. DC-197 (Page 10)
1946
William D. F. Morrison 6 Jacqueline Morrison to William Koren, Jr. Isabelle J., his wife
Deed August 26, 19H6 Recorded August 26, 1946 Lib«r 8331, folio 304
1961
Isabelle J. Koren, surviving co-tenant of deceased husband, William Koren, Jr. to Janet G. Felton
Deed June 14, 1961 Recorded June 29, 1961 Liber 11625, folio 130
1962
Janet G. Felton Cooper & Richard J. Cooper, her husband to
Marie G. Wanek
Deed October 12, 1962 Recorded November 27, 1962 Liber 11908, folio 1149
References
1. Alexandria Gazette (Alexandria, Virginia). February 26, 1810.
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2. Deed, William Grayson to John W. Bronaugh, September 18, 1816, recorded October 18, 1816, Liber AM-37, folio 17- 19, Recorder of Deeds, Washington, D.C.
3. Records of the Columbia Historical Society, Washington, D.C.: The Society, Vol. 19, 1916, p. 90.
4. City Directory. 1866, p. 415,
5. Records of the City of Georgetown (D.C), 1800-79, Assessment of Real and Personal Property, Microcopy 605, National Archives Record Group 351, Roll 12, (1865-70); Roll 13 (1871).
6. Same reference as #4. 1867, p. 344; 1871, p. xvi; 1873, p. 602; 1876, p. 315; 1880, p. 401; 1904, p. 581.
7. Same reference as #4. 1908, p. 730; 1909, p. 760.
8. Same reference as #4. 1910, p. 789.
9. Will of Daniel Kane, January 20, 1911, probated June 17, 1912, Will Book 79, page 218, Register of Wills, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
10. Same reference as #4. 1916, p. 1665, p. 356; 1918, p. 1815, p. 372; 1920, p. 1906; 1930, p. 2111, p. 193.
11. Same reference as #4. 1937, p. 1702; 1939, p. 1861, p. 236.
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DANIEL KANE HOUSE
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12. Same reference as #4. 19«+3, p. 383, p. 1239.
13. Same reference as #4. 1948, p. 652.
14. Same reference as #4. 1960, p. 987.
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ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION
General Statement
Architectural Character: The Kane House is a good example of a brick row house of the post-Civil War era.
Condition of Fabric: The house is in good general condition
on both the interior and the exterior, having been well maintained,
Description of Exterior
Overall Dimensions: The house faces west on 36th Street between 0 and P Streets and the south wall is approximately 195′ along 36th Street from the centerline of 0 Street. The two-story structure completely fills a row house lot approximately 18′ wide and is approximately 32′ deep.
Foundations: The basic foundation is rough laid stone. At approximately 4′ to 5′ above the basement floor the brick wall begins.
Wall Construction: The brick bearing wall of the house which is now painted white is of common bond with bond courses every eight courses. The flush mortar joints are rather roughly made. The house connects to party walls on both the north and south.
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Framing: Not visible.
Porches, Stoops, Bulkheads, etc: In part due to the raising of the grade of 36th Street, the house is entered by a stairwell. There is a 4’3″ drop from the public sidewalk to the first floor level and a 6’8″ drop from the first floor to the basement floor. The stairway construction itself is concrete with brick faced treads. The opening is surrounded by a black painted iron railing.
Chimneys: There are two brick chimneys 5′ by 2′ with simple brick caps at the third points of the south party wall.
Openings:
Doorways and Doors; The wood six panel 2’8″ entry door at the north end of the west elevation is in a simply trimmed masonry opening with a four light wood trimmed transom. An aluminum storm door has been added and the whole ensemble is mid-twentieth century in date. The other two doorways to the house are at the basement level at the north end of the west elevation and at the east elevation from the dining room to the rear yard .
Windows and Shutters: Windows at the 36th Street (west) elevation all appear to be mid-twentieth century additions and are six-over-six double-hung wood sash in 3′ 10″ by 5′ 4″ masonry openings. Lintels are flat arched with single sawn- brick voussoirs and sills are wood.
Two panel fixed louvre shutters at each window have been nailed to the 36th Street elevation.
The rear (east) elevation has six-over-six double-hung wood sash of mid-twentieth century. The two second floor windows have steel lintels rather than flat brick arches.
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Roof:
Shape, Covering: The simple low pitched shed roof runs down from west to east and is covered by standing seam metal.
Cornice, Eaves: At the west elevation a simple wood eave is supported visually by a wide hori- zontal board, a large bracket at each end of the elevation, and a series of much smaller scrolling brackets between. There are no gutters or down spouts visible.
The east elevation has a simple three course corbelled brick cornice and an aluminum gutter and downspout.
Cupolas, Dormers, Towers: None.
Description of Interior
Floor Plans: At present the house is entered at the first floor which contains both a front and a rear living room. Descent to the basement is via a central stair leading out to a front kitchen and a rear dining room. A special feature (certainly not original) is a three foot corridor at the north party wall and running the full depth and ending in a water closet.
Ascent to the second floor is by a stair opposite the front entry against the north wall. This floor contains a front and a rear bedroom plus a rear bath. Reflecting the shed roof system, each floor has two levels. The rear (east) half of the house is one riser lower than the west half on all three floors. In addition, the corridor in the basement is one riser higher than the west floor level.
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Stairways: At present the main stair is at the center of the north party wall and is a straight run of 12 risers up from west to east. A second stairway between the two living rooms descends in a straight run ten risers from south to north to the level of the basement corridor.
There is a strong probability that this was not always the stair arrangement. Marks in the plaster of the living room (rear) and the floor board replacement at the second floor suggest that at one time the main stair may have been over the existing stair to the basement.
Present stair trim includes a twentieth-century railing around the opening for the stair to the basement. The stair to the second floor is supported by full height wall at its south side as well as by the north party wall. The railing for this stair is simple wood profile and has simple wood balusters.
Flooring: The first and second floor have random width approximately 5″ to 8″ wood flooring while the basement has vinyl tile flooring.
Wall and Ceiling Finish: Both walls and ceilings are of plaster
Doorways and Doors: Simple twentieth-century four panel wood doors are used throughout the house* Doorway trim is of simple wood profile.
Decorative Features and Trim: The walls are without trim with the exception of a simple wood baseboard. There is no chair rail or wainscot.
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Hardware: There is a variety of twentieth- century hardware.
Lighting: There are a variety of mid-twentieth century fixtures .
Heating: There are two fireplaces still open; one in the kitchen on the front chimney and one in the living room at the rear chimney. The one in the living room has a marble surround and a brick hearth added in the twentieth century,
The present central heating system has radiator units in each room.
Site
General Setting and Orientation: It is one of the many brick row houses on this quiet tree-shaded residential street near Georgetown University.
Enclosures: A wooden stockade fence approximately 5′ high surrounds the rear yard.
Outbuildings: None.
Walks: The stairwell at the west elevation abuts a concrete public sidewalk.
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Landscaping: The rear yard has a brick patio extending approximately 15′ from the east facade. The remainder of the yard is lawn and rises approximately 2′ to 3′ to the east. There are remains of a large tree at the northeast corner of the property.
Prepared by: William P. Thompson Architect
Historic American Building Survey
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