Benjamin MACKALL of Mackall Square

Benjamin Mackall the second owned large estates in Calvert and Prince George's Counties, Maryland; his products being shipped to Georgetown market. Thus it happened that two of his sons, Benjamin and Leonard, met, fell in love with, and wedded two of Brooke Beall's daughters. Their father was an important shipping merchant of Georgetown, sending great quantities of grain and tobacco to England.

Leonard chose Catherine, and Benjamin the third, Christiana Beall. To each of his daughters Mr. Beall gave a double square on Georgetown Heights; to Benjamin Mackall's wife, part of the Rock of Dumbarton, known as Mackall Square, where quite a large frame house was built, where the family resided in winter. One hundred years ago this building was removed to another portion of the Beall estate on Congress Street, where it still stands in better condition than most modern houses. In its place on Mackall Square was built a handsome brick house of Colonial architecture, with large halls, and great square rooms on either side, lighted by four windows, situated on a high eminence overlooking the city of Washington, which spreads like a broad panorama to view. The Potomac flows just below and in the sunlight appears like a great silver sheet, bordered on either side by the blue hills. In the distance the evening sun rests upon the dome of the new Congressional Library, and the many windows reflecting their golden light give the appearance of a city enveloped in flame. To the west the tall gray spires of the College stand out in hold relief against the clear sweep of the many-hued sky.

This lovely old place is still in possession of the family, and among the many pieces of old historic furniture is a handsome Chippendale desk that belonged to the renowned Major General and Polish statesman, Kosciusko. Mr. Mackall never gave up "Mattaponi," the country seat of his forefathers in Prince George's, Maryland, and the family still own this old place, on which tremendous crops were raised. Many recollect the great droves of turkeys, three or four hundred in number,which passed through Georgetown, driven all the way from the plantation, a distance of twenty miles or more; one of these droves made a great impression upon the writer; it had been raining, and their plumage was hanging in wet strings.

The MackaIls were of a very retiring disposition, loving their homes and satisfied to stay quietly there. They were noted for their delightfull entertainments, and there still live those who delight to tell of the good old-fashioned times, delicious suppers, and the famous Maryland biscuits. The guests gathered from miles around, and after being refreshed, the belles and beaux would dance the stately minuet for the German was unheard of in those days and Uncle Sam would fiddle on till morn.

Louis Mackall the first, son of Christiana Beall and Benjamin Mackall, was born at Mackall Square, Georgetown Heights, in 1802, and became a physican of high standing. His preparatory education was gained in Georgetown at the well-known school of Dr. Carnahan, who afterwards became President of Princeton College. In 1824 he graduated in medicine fron the University of Maryland, and at one began practice in Prince George's County, and until about1840 was actively engaged in practice, when he retired to private life, having written extensively on numerous professional subjects and kindred themes. Prof. Joseph Henry (who was Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution for many years and a personal friend of the Doctor's), said his theories were a hundred years in advance of that day. Some of his works are illustrated by steel engravings executed by William H. Dugal, of Georgetown Heights. His first marriage took place in 1828 to Sarah Somervell Mackall, a daughter of Captain John Grahame Mackall, an officer of the war of 1812, and granddaughter of Captain James Somervell, a descendent of Lord Somervell...Mrs. Louis Mackall died in 1831, leaving one child, a son. Louis Mackall the first married in 1851, as his second wife, Mary Bruce, daughter of Major Thomas Bruce of Prince George's County, Maryland. Her grandfather was William Bruce, a Revolutionary officer, and a member of the Order of Cincinnati.

Louis Mackall the second was born at "Mattaponi," the old country seat in Prince George's County, Maryland, April 10, 1831. In 1839 he was brought to Georgetown by his father and entered at Mr. Ahhott's Academy. Afterwards he went to Georgetown College, and in 1851 graduated at the Maryland Medical University. He returned immediately to Georgetown, where he obtained a large practice, in which he is still actively engaged. He married in 1851 Margaret McVean, daughter of Rev. James McVean. He was chosen as councilman and member of the board of health, and made a director of the Potomac Insurance Company of Georgetown. He was surgeon of a cavalry troop organized before the Civil War, and was selected from the battalion to guard Mr.Lincoln in safety to the Presidential Mansion on the occasion of his first inauguration. He was professor of clinics in the medical department of Georgetown College, and united with his fellow-practitioners in membership of several societies organized for the advancement of medical science, among them the Medical Society of the District of Columbia, the American Medical Association, the Medical Association ot the District of Columbia, and has held the office of president of the two latter. He has been a frequent contributor to the medical magazines designed to promote a knowledge of therapeutics and the practice of medicine. Among these articles are his treatise on the use of permanganate of potash in diphtheria, published in Hayes' Medical Journal and many other articles in various medical journals.