»4 . 
"Cliveden" as I first remember it appeared quite differ- 
ent from what it does now. Thirty-five years ago I imagine 
its grounds were much as they were at the close of the 
Revolutionary War, for the wall in front, with the lawns 
behind did not show their present finish, and the grades were 
altogether different. About the year 1874, Miller & Hayes 
were engaged to improve the place, and under the direction 
of Anthony Virtue, its "rough places were made smooth," 
shrubs and trees were planted, and in many respects its 
familiar picture was changed. "Cliveden," like nearly every 
old Germantown Home, had a hardy flower garden of the 
standard type, but it was better known by its spring, by its 
great trees, and by the "Ghost" which walked its walls at the 
"Curfew Hour." What was long known as "Chew's 
Woods," now in part "Cliveden Park," was, and is, a 
survivor of the primeval forest, its grounds not having been 
disturbed from the time the Creator made them, until our 
"Bureau of City Property," under the direction of the Site 
and Relic Society, prepared desirable walks, and cleared away 
its underbrush. 
Several years ago in this wood near to Chew Street, 
stood a grove of "Jersey Pines," — Pinus inops. This group 
of trees has disappeared, but two specimens rescued by 
George Paramore were planted near the farm house at "Aw- 
bury." The house is now occupied by John Paramore, and 
the trees may yet be seen in a flourishing condition. A Jersey 
pine near the Johnson Street entrance to Cliveden, doubtless 
was transplanted from the grove to its present position. 
Mrs. Chew, February 27, 1904, wrote me, "I can only 
tell you of the plants of Cliveden that they were of the 
old-fashioned flowers of the time of 70, 80, and 100 years 
ago." 
"The flowers in the garden were old-fashioned monthly 
roses, phlox, sweet williams, orange, mignonette, heliotrope, 
lemon-verbena, jasmine, and fruit trees, apples, pears, cher- 
ries and apricot, also box." 
We need not further enlarge for the place stands to 
