Marcia Van Ness.

About Marcia Van Ness

Marcia Burnes Van Ness was an American socialite in Washington City, who some called "the heiress of Washington City" after her father's death. She helped found and was the first directress of the Washington City Orphan Asylum as the result of many children become homeless after the death of their parents during the War of 1812. She and her husband John Peter Van Ness entertained Washington dignitaries at their residence, Van Ness Mansion.