New Annandale: A story of Love and War

By Victor McIntyre

New Annandale, A Story of Love and War.
MAGNOLIA AVENUE
Being the original lane leading to the former home of Lieut. Andrew Weir and his wife, Mary Allen. Who in 1848 while on their wedding trip to his native state Mississippi, shipped these Magnolia seedlings and had them planted on both sides of this lane.
This plaque was placed here June 6, 1956 by the Larchmont Garden Club.

Mary Allen was the daughter of Ethan Alphonso Allen and Martha Washington Johnston. Ethan was the youngest son of the Vermont patriot of the same name. He and his brother Hannibal were both West Point graduates and were stationed here during the War of 1812. Hannibal died of illness in 1813 and is buried at the Portsmouth Naval Hospital.
Ethan served with distinction in the Battle of Craney Island. He then was promoted to captain and made commandant of the blockhouse at Craney. Then he met and married first Mary and then Martha Johnston. Mary died shortly after giving birth to Ethan Alphonso Allen Jr.
The Johnston farm had been in that location since 1795. Magnolia Avenue was just a farm lane leading to their house. Monroe Place was called Bowden's Ferry Road then and pieces of it still exist in Lamberts Point. John Johnston himself served under George Washington and may have been given that land for his service. But Monroe from Bolling to Larchmont Crescent sits in the exact footprint of Bowden's Ferry Road.
Andrew Weir, who married Mary Allen, served in the US Navy from 1836 until 1853. He was in California during the Mexican War in 46/48. He and his wife planted the magnolia trees and he may also have planted the California Redwood that also resides on that street.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0GKVNY1TB
• ISBN13: 9798246312285
• Release Date: January 2026
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 596 Pages
• Weight: 1.27 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.1" x 7.8"