Background
Casanave was born in Navarra, Spain in about 1766. He was the thirteenth son of a lawyer and trader of Navarra.
administrator merchant mayor of Georgetown
Casanave was born in Navarra, Spain in about 1766. He was the thirteenth son of a lawyer and trader of Navarra.
Casanave is particularly remembered for direct the construction and having buried the first stone in what later became in the White House on October 12, 1792. Although we have little data about him. He emigrated to the United States in 1785, having only 200 pounds and almost unable to speak English.
However, before long, Casanave established his first business, a shop dedicated to the sale of oil, Spanish pork and "dust" for the hair.
In this first business, they followed companies such as "night dance hall" for mentor In 1790, Casanave became property agent, selling areas of modern Washington District of Columbia. Between late 1790 and 1793 he became an "agent" and sponsor students who studied at Georgetown College.
There, he was administrator of the funds of the students, covering their expenses. When students were foreign or did not have sufficient resources to pay for their studies, Casanave paid them with their own money.
In late of 1792, he directed the construction of what later became the White House.
Thus, on 12 October this year, Pedro Casanave buried the first stone in the building (date that coincides with the 300th anniversary of the Discovery of Americas by Christopher Columbus). This took place when, one day, after a big party at the tavern "The Fountain Inn" (where the upper class normally met), the inaugural procession came to a solar (where would be built the Presidential Palace) and some workmen (after open a small hole in the ground), gave him the stone to Casanave and he buried it, covering it with sand (using a shovel for it). lieutenant is known that, before placing it, he had placed, under, a bronze plaque in which can read:
The first stone of the Presidential House was laid on October 12, 1792, and the 17th year of the Independence of the United States of America.
In 1793 he joined the Common Council of the Corporation of the city and, the following year, he was elected mayor of Georgetown, thus being the fifth person to hold the position.
He died in 1796, probably a few years after joining the Brotherhood. Although we do not know exactly how old he was at this time, based on some testimonials about their participation in the inauguration of the President"s House, he must have been about thirty years.
