David Burnes II (1739-1800)

Davy Burnes was a third generation landowner in Washington D.C. who inherited 700-acres from his father that is today downtown Washington, extending from the White House to the Patent Office. He was often referred to as "the obstinate" Mr Burnes and had a reputation for being a bigoted angry man. He left his entire estate to his only child who built Van Ness House near to his own cottage.