William Thornton Re-examined by Bob Arnebeck

  Chapter 10: The General’s Houses    Plaque in Upper Senate Park A plaque in Upper Senate Park just north of the Capitol credits Dr. William Thornton for designing George Washington’s “two brick dwellings.” Glenn Brown based that claim and that Thornton superintended their construction on "the letters of Washington." Brown didn't quote or cite any letters. A hundred years late, C. M. Harris did. In August 1798, Thornton gave a "plan" to Thomas Peter who, on August 26, then passed it on to the General.  Harris and the editors of Washington's Papers have deduced that the plan in question had to be a design for the General’s houses. If it was, the General made a quick study of it. He s ent it back to Peter the next day with only this comment: "Doctr Thorntons plan is returned with thanks; our love to Patsy." She was the Custis sister who married Peter who was the son of Robert Peter who had owned Peter’s Hill when the General had bought lo...

Table of Contents  being rewritten    Epilogue: John Quincy Adams' Diary After returning from diplomatic missions in 1801, John Quincy Adams called on President Jefferson. A t a social gathering, he met Thornton and briefly noted in his diary that Thornton “was by turns ingenious and humorous, but all the time very talkative.” In 1803, he  was elected to the US Senate by the Massachusetts legislature. In the federal city, he called on the Thorntons socially, as well as to get a document notarized by the doctor cum justice of the peace. There was an annual dinner party and a ball at the Thorntons.  On March 5, 1804, at a dinner party given by Justice Bushrod Washington,  Thornton explained “his plan for a new confederate system of Government for the United States.” In December, back in the city for the 8th congress's second session, Adams checked on a patent. That brought him to “Dr: Thornton’s Office; acting under the Secretary of State as Commissioner o...