Pedro Casanave
Pedro Casanave | |
---|---|
Born | Pedro Pablo Casanave c. 1766 |
Died | 1796 (aged 29–30) |
Occupation(s) | merchant and politician (mayor of Georgetown) |
Spouse | Ann Nancy Young |
Pedro Pablo Casanave (c. 1766 – 1796), also known as Peter Casanave, was a prominent Spanish American merchant and politician who served as the fifth mayor of
Biography
Casanave was born at Navarre, Spain in about 1766. He was the thirteenth son of a lawyer and trader in Navarre.[1]
Casanave emigrated to Georgetown in 1785. Although he brought only 200 pounds sterling with him and spoke English poorly, he soon opened a warehouse from which he sold salt at low prices, rum and sugar, as well as oil, pork meat, pomade, and hair powder.[2] He opened the warehouse with the help of his friend George Washington, whom he knew through his uncle, Juan de Miralles, agent to the Continental Congress.[3] Casanave had little capital and the shop was financed mainly by Washington.
In 1790, Casanave founded a nail factory, the first in Georgetown, and a night dancing-school for men, then set himself up as a real state agent selling local properties. Between late 1790 and 1793 he served as the sponsor, agent, and banker for many of
In late 1792, Casanave, Master of Maryland Lodge No.9, presided over the traditional Masonic ceremonial laying of the cornerstone of the President's House (later known as the White House) on 13 October, 485 years to the day after King Philip IV of France had all the Knights Templar of that country arrested.[4]
According to historian Robert Cooper, a procession of Masons formed in Georgetown at the Fountain Inn, and marched to the site of the excavated foundation of the new President's House.[1][5] A brass plate placed under the stone read:
This first stone of the President's House was laid the 12th day of October 1792, and in the 17th Year of the Independence of the United States of America[5]
In 1793 Casanave joined the Georgetown Corporation's Common Council. In the following year he was elected mayor of Georgetown, the fifth person to hold that position.[2]
Casanave died in 1796.[2] Although it is not known exactly how old he was at the time, based on some testimonials by participants in the ceremonial laying of the cornerstone of the President's House, he must have been about thirty years old.[1]
Personal life
In September 1791, after becoming a real state agent, Peter Casanave married Ann Nancy Young, from Georgetown.[2][1] Young's father, Notley Young, belonged to one of the oldest Catholic families in Maryland,[2] and was a prominent businessman and merchant in the city; he was also engaged in the sale of real estate.[1] Casanave and Ann Young lived in a mansion on Notley Young's property, then known as "Casanovia", located along what would become Delaware Avenue.[6] Casanave and Young had two children: Peter[2][7] and Joane Casanave.[7]
It is possible that Peter Casanave's actual surname was not Casanave, since the few surviving sources indicate it as Casaneva, Cazenave or Casanova.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Oliver W. Holmes (1973). Suter's Tavern: Birthplace of the Federal City. Historical Society of Washington, D.C.
- ^ ISBN 9780878405572.
- ^ William W. Warner (1994), page 250.
- ^ ISBN 9781569754085.
- ^ ISBN 9781446445792.
- ^ Department of Transportation Headquarters: Environmental Impact Statement. General Services Administration, National Capital Region. June 2000. p. 70.
- ^ a b The Society (1965). National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Volumen 53. University of Wisconsin, Madison. p. 202.
- ISBN 9781594772665.
- ^ Supreme Council, 33,̊ Southern Jurisdiction (1948). Scottish Rite News Bulletin. University of Michigan.
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