Note 63 — Chapter III
Reading edition
Dr. William Thornton, the architect of the Octagon House, was born of Quaker parents in the West Indies, May 27th, 1761. He came to Washington in 1793, and was the right-hand man of the commissioners in the early history of Washington. He died there in 1828. He was also the architect of Tudor Place and of the United States Capitol. His works give him sufficient praise.
"The Capitol in the federal city, though faulty in detail, is one of the finest designs of modern times."—B. H. Latrobe's Journal.
After leaving the Octagon House, the Madisons moved to the corner of H Street, Pennsylvania Avenue and Nineteenth Street, N. W., where they lived during the remainder of Madison's term in office. The White House was not again ready for occupancy until Monroe became President.