letter excerpt The Dix Family Archive
ClemensDixsullivan
The Clemens


Augustus D. Clemens, Jr.
1) Genealogy and Biography...
2) Mr. A. D. Clemens Dead

Mary Bordley Clemens
Obituary: Mrs. Mary B. Clemens

Augustus Ducas Clemens

Eleanor Collins Clemens
1) San Antonio Debutante Becomes Maryland Bride
2) Debutante Announcement
3) Engagement Announcement
4) Brides Are Busy
5) Wedding Announcement
6) from Eleanor in Italy 1950s(?)
6) to Eleanor, a Colonial Dame
7) to Eleanor, from a Joy descendant

Elizabeth 'Becky' Rogers
1) A Bird in Hospital Cage
2) Death Claims ‘Becky’ Rogers
3) Miss Elizabeth Rogers – ‘Becky’ Rogers Service Friday

The Family Home
Living room

 

[from printed document titled "Genealogy and Biography of the Leading Families of Baltimore City and Baltimore County, Md.", Chapman Publishing Co., N.Y.C. 1897, with heading "Genealogical and Biographical Record", pp. 939-940:]

AUGUSTUS D. CLEMENS, JR. There are few homes in the city and county of Baltimore more beautiful than Evesham, the residence of Mr. Clemens. The estate, which he purchased from Reverdy Johnson, Jr., contains fifty acres of land as fine as may be found in the county and is situated about one thousand feet from the York road, the latter with its excellent electric car service furnishing easy transportation to the city. To imagine a home more ideal in design and surroundings would be difficult. The magnificent mansion, which was erected by an Englishman many years ago at great cost, stands on a slight eminence in the center of the estate and is flanked by substantial barn and other buildings, while on every side stretches a beautiful forest containing many choice varieties of trees. There are also shrubbery and plants with bright-blooming flowers. Many of the improvements have been made by the present owner since the place came into his possession, and the elegance of the interior furnishings reflect the cultured taste of the family.

The Clemens family originated in France, which was the birthplace of our subject's great-grandfather, Augustus Ducas Clemens. The father of our subject, whose name was also Augustus D., was born in Baltimore in 1818 and followed the real-estate business throughout his active life, but withdrew from active affairs some years ago and is now living retired, at the age of seventy-nine years. In the early part of his life he was connected with the city government in the tax department, but aside from that he has never sought public office. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party. His entire life has been spent in this city and county, with the exception of two years (1857-59) when he resided in Leavenworth, Kas. His father was on the French fleet during the Revolution and most of his life was spent as a sea captain.

The mother of our subject, Henrietta M., who is still living and eighty-four years of age, was a daughter of Capt. William and Elizabeth Bryden. Her father followed the sea as captain until 1810, when he retired and built a comfortable home near the Philadelphia road. There he and his wife happily spent their last days and from that place their bodies were borne to their last resting place in the Westminster churchyard. James Bryden, brother of the captain, carried on the Fountain Hotel, located where the Carrolton Hotel now stands; he was one of the founders of St. Andrew's Society, which was organized in 1806, and his brother, Capt. William Bryden, was a member of this society also. The subject of this sketch was born in the city of Baltimore in 1845 and was the second among three children. William Bryden, the eldest, died in Leavenworth, Kas., in 1859, after he had been there for two years. Mary J., the youngest of the family, is the wife of Jacob H. Aull, of Baltimore.

In the public and private schools of Baltimore and in Newton Academy, our subject acquired what was in those days considered a liberal education. He was but a small child when the family removed to Kansas and there he assisted his brother in the book and stationery business until the latter's death in 1859. While in Leavenworth he saw some of the first gold that was taken from Pike's Peak, it being brought there in a small sack by a miner; this was the inauguration of the great gold fever that followed. After spending two years in Leavenworth he returned with his parents to Baltimore, and for ten years was connected with a photographic business here. Afterward he embarked in the real-estate business and in this he has since continued. That he has met with success it is scarcely necessary to mention, for his beautiful home and valuable possessions attest this fact. For over fifteen years he resided on the old homestead at Chestnut Hill, which he is now platting in lots and selling for residence purposes. In 1895 he bought the place where he has since made his home. He has been instrumental in platting several additions to the city, among them Woodburn Heights. Politically he is independent, with Democratic tendencies. For twenty years he has been a director in the Waverly Building and Loan Association. He is identified with the Maryland Historical Society and fraternally belongs to St. Andrew's Society and Concordia Lodge No. 13, A. F. & A. M., which was organized in 1793. His wife holds membership in St. John's Episcopal Church.

In 1881 Mr. Clemens married Mary, daughter of William C. and Amelia Bordley, whose family was from the eastern shore of Maryland. By their marriage they are the parents of three children, all of whom are bright and intelligent, their presence brightening the home circle. They are Lennox Birkhead, Henrietta Amelia and Augustus Ducas, the latter being the third of that name now living.

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Copyright 2002 Gabriel Brooke, (website). Transcription and editing: John Thomas, (website). Design and production: Marc Kundmann, (website).