Owners and Tenants, 1819-1956

• Decatur
• Hyde de Neuville
• de Tuyll
• Clay
• Van Buren
• Livingston
• Vaughn
• Gadsby
• Dallas
• Gales
• John & James King
• Appleton
• Orr
• Benjamin
• McBlair
• United States Army
• Edward Beale &
  Mary Beale
• Truxtun Beale
• Marie Beale

TIMELINE OF OWNERS AND TENANTS
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Baron and Baroness Hyde de Neuville (tenants, 1821-1822)

The first tenants of the Susan Decatur era were Jean Guillaume, the Baron Hyde de Neuville, French, minister to the United States from 1818 to 1822, and his wife, the Baroness Anne de Neuville. A member of the lower French aristocracy, de Neuville was 23 when the French Revolution broke out, and he supported the royal family and remained loyal to the ancient regime system throughout the Revolutionary and Napoleanic periods. This loyalty forced the Baron and Baroness into exile for a number of years, a large portion during when they lived and traveled throughout the United States. The couple returned to France in 1814, coinciding with the restoration of the Bourbon Monarchy. The newly restored monarch, Louis XVIII, appreciated the Baron’s support over the years, and rewarded him with the post of Minister to the United States.

At first, many in the capital expressed concern as to how well a monarchist like de Neuville would function politically in the republican Washington. The National Intelligencer, for example, criticized the appointment, arguing that de Neuville’s conservative monarchist background could prejudice his dealings with the American government. Despite his political convictions and his aristocratic manner, however, the Baron and his wife were impressed with both the government and society of the young American republic - an enthusiasm that soon helped warm the
residents of Washington.

The de Neuvilles occupied Decatur House during the second half of his ministry, from 1820 through 1822. The warmth and charm of the couple,
along with their frequently-held social functions, made them a favorite of Washington society. Madame de Neuville was particularly well-regarded and admired. Her oft-used phrase of broken English, “I am charming to see you,” was later fondly remembered. Among her many recognized talents was her
skill as an artist. During her stay in America as an exile from 1807 to 1814,
she sketched and painted the people and places she came into contact with,
a practice she continued upon her return to America in 1818 - the Baroness in fact composed many watercolors of scenes she observed on Lafayette Square. The quality of her work was recognized by many, including John
Quincy Adams.

The Baron and Baroness Hyde de Neuville’s celebrated occupancy of
Decatur House ended with his election to the French National Assembly,
which obliged him to return to his native country.

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