USA > Maryland > Some old historic landmarks of Virginia and Maryland : described in a hand-book for the tourist over the Washington-Virginia railway > Part 8
USA > Virginia > Some old historic landmarks of Virginia and Maryland : described in a hand-book for the tourist over the Washington-Virginia railway > Part 8
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As time passed, her children and grand children made her frequent visits and had care that she wanted for nothing to add to her comfort. The General had repeatedly urged her to make Mount Vernon her home but she always declined his requests.
She passed away Aug. 25, 1789. A granite obelisk 50 feet high with the simple in- scription "Mary, the Mother of Washington" was furnished and dedicated to her mem- ory, near her home in 1894. At the dedication of the monument it was said:
"You have reared this beautiful obelisk to one who was 'the light of the dwelling' in a plain rural colonial home. Her history hovers around it. She was wife, mother, and widow. She nursed a hero at her breast. At her knee she trained to the love and fear of God and to the kindly virtues,-honor, truth, and valor, the lion of the tribe that gave to America liberty and independence. This is her title to renown. It is enough.
"Eternal dignity and heavenly grace dwell upon the brow of this blessed mother; nor burnished gold, nor sculptured stone, nor rhythmie praise could add one jot or tittle to her chaste glory. She was simply a private citizen. No sovereign's crown rested on her brow. She did not lead an army, like Joan of Arc, nor slay a tyrant, like Charlotte Corday. She was not versed in letters nor in arts. She was not an angel of mercy, like Florence Nightingale, nor the consort of a hero, like the mother of Napoleon. But for the light that streamed from the deeds of him she bore, we would doubtless have never heard the name of Mary Washington, and the grass upon this grave had not been dis- turbed by curious footsteps nor reverential hands."-Daniel's Oration.
MARY WASHINGTON.
The Rappahannock ran in the reign of good Queen Anne, All townless from the mountains to the sea, Old Jamestown was forlorn and King Williamsburg scarce born- 'Twas the year of Blenheim's victory, Whose trumpets dicd away in far Virginia. In the cabin of an old tobacco farm,
Where a planter's little wife to a little girl gave life, And the fire in the chimney made it warm.
It was little Mary Ball, and she had no fame at all, But the world was all the same as if she had;
For she had the right to breathe and to tottle and to teethe, And to love some other cunning little lad;
Though he proved a widower, it was all the same to her, For he gave her many a daughter and a son,
And the family was large and the oldest, little George, Was the hope of little Widow Washington.
The name resounded not in time we have forgot, It was nothing more than Smith or Jones or Ball;
And George's big half brothers had the call on their stepmother's Affection, like the babes of her own stall; They paid the larger taxes, and the Ayletts and Fairfaxes Received them in their families and lands,
While the widow thought upon it, she rode in her sunbonnet, Midst her slaves who tilled her gulleys and her sands.
Till they sought to take her George upon the royal barge, And give him a commission and a crest,
When her heart cried out, "O ro! something says lic must not go: My first-born is a father to the rest."
She could find him little schooling, but he did not learn much fooling,
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And he dragged the mountain o'er with chain and rod, 'The Blue Ridge was his cover and the Indian his lover And his duty was his Sovereign and God.
Still her rival in his heart was the military art, And the epaulettes she dreaded still were there,
There are households still where glory is a broken-hearted story, And the drum is a mockery and snare. From the far off Barbadoes, from the yell of Frenchmen foes, From the ghost of Braddock's unavailing strife, She beheld her boy return and his bridal candles burn, And a widow like herself became his wife.
By Potomac's pleasant tide he was settled with his bride, Overseeing horses, hounds and cocks and wards,
And it scemed but second nature to go to the legislature And play his hand at politics and cards, Threescore and ten had come when the widow heard the drum. "My God!" she cried, "what demon is at large?"
'Tis the conflict with the king, 'tis two world's mustering, And the call of duty comes to mother's George.
"O war! To plague me so! Must my first-born ever go!" Her answer is the bugle and the gun.
The town fills up again with the horse of Mercer's men, And the name they call aloud is Washington.
In the long, distracting years none may count the widow's tears; She is banished o'er the mountains from her farm; She is old and lives with strangers, while ride wide the king's red rangers And the only word is "Arm!" and "Arm!" and "Arm!"
"Come home and see your son, the immortal Washington, He has beat the king and mighty Cornwallis!"
They crowd her little door and she sees her boy once more; But there is no glory in him like his kiss.
The marquises and dukes, in their orders and perukes, The aides-de-camp, the generals and all,
Stand by to see and listen how her aged eyes will glisten To hear from him the tale of Yorktown's fall.
Upon that, her lips are dumb to the trumpet and the drum; All their pageantry is vanity and stuff.
So he leans upon her breast, she cares nothing for the rest- It is he and that is victory enough! In the life that mothers give, is their thirst that man shall live And the species never lose the legacy.
To live again on earth and repeat the wondrous birth- That is glory-that is immortality.
Unto Fredericksburg at last, when her fourscore years are past, Now gray himself, he rides all night to say: "Madame-mother-ere I go to become the President I have come to kiss you till another day." "No, George; the sight of thee, which I can hardly see, Is all for all-good-by; I can be brave. Fulfill your great career as I have fulfilled my sphere; My station can be nothing but the grave."
The mother's love sank down, and its sunset on his crown Shone like the dying bcams of perfect day; He has none like her to mix in the draught of politics The balm that softens injury away. But he was his mother's son till his weary race was done; Her gravity, her peace, her golden mien Shed on the state the good of her sterling womanhood, And like her own, was George's closing scene. George Alfred Townsend.
When Mary Washington died, August 25, 1789, aged eighty-three years, her body was buried on the spot chosen by herself on the home plantation, Kenmore, on the Rap- pahannock. It was a favorite place of resort during the last years of her life, on a beau- tiful eminence overlooking the town in which so much of her life was passed, and
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within sight of her own house and that of her daughter, Betty Lewis. It is a lovely spot, in a large field, not far from the peaceful Rappahannock, with the famous Marye IIeights as a background, a pretty clump of cottonwood trees surrounding the lonely grave. The view in every direction from this spot is at once beautiful and inspiring. Small wonder it is that the woman, who appreciated everything in nature that led the soul to nobler and better thoughts should have loved this spot in life and preferred it as a final resting place to the darkness of the family vault in Westmoreland county where the body of her husband was laid.
WASHINGTON'S HABITS, MANNERS AND APPEARANCE.
The work which Washington accomplished in the course of his public and private du- ties was simply immense. And when we estimate the volume of his official papers-his vast foreign, public and private correspondence-we can scarcely believe that the space of one man's life could have comprehended the performance of so many varied things. But he brought order, method and rigid system to help him. These accessories he re- lied on, and they led him successfully through. He rose early. His toilet was soon made. A single servant prepared his clothes and laid them in readiness. He shaved and dressed himself, but gave very little of his precious time to matters of that sort, . though remarkable for the neatness and propriety of his apparel. His clothes were made after the old fashioned cut, of the best, though of the plainest materials. The style of his household and equipage when President, corresponded with the dignity of his exalted station. About sunrise he invariably visited and inspected the stables. Then he betook himself to his library till the hour of breakfast. This meal was plain and simple, and with but little change from time to time. Indian cakes, honey, and tea formed this temperate repast. On rising from the table, if there were guests, and it was seldom otherwise, books and papers were offered for their amusement, and re- questing them to take care of themselves, the illustrious farmer proceeded to his daily tour over his farms which sometimes extended a score of miles. He rode unattended by servants, opening the gates, letting down and putting up bars as he visited his la- borers and inspected their work. Oftentimes when his adopted daughter, Nellie Cus- tis, had grown up, she accompanied him in his rounds.
Washington was a progressive farmer and introduced many new methods in the til- lage of his lands. His afternoon was usually devoted to his library; at night, his la- bors over, he would join his family and friends at the tea-table and enjoy their so- ciety for several hours, and about nine o'clock retired to bed. When without com- pany he frequently read aloud to his family circle from newspapers and entertaining books.
Washington liked the cheerful converse of the social board. After his retirement from public life, all the time he could spare from his library was devoted to the im- provement of his estate and the elegant and tasteful arrangement of his house and grounds. The awe that was felt by every one upon the first approach to Washington evidences the imposing air and sublimity which belong to real greatness. Even the frequenters of the courts of princes were sensible of this exalted feeling when in the presence of the hero, who, formed for the highest destinies, bore an impress from nature which declared him to be among the noblest of her works.
Washington at the age of forty-three was appointed commander-in-chief. In stature he a little exceeded six feet; his limbs were sinewy and well-proportioned; his chest broad; his figure stately, blending dignity of presence with ease. His robust consti- tution had been tried and invigorated by his early life in the wilderness, his habits of occupations out-of-doors, and his rigid temperance; so that few equalled him in strength of arms or power of endurance. His complexion was florid; his hair dark brown; his head in its shape perfectly round. His broad nostrils seemed formed to give expression and escape to scornful anger. His dark blue eyes, which were deeply set, had an ex- pression of resignation, and an earnestness that was almost sadness.
THE FIRST CELEBRATION OF THE ADOPTION OF THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION.
It is remarkable that the first report of a celebration in Alexandria in any way con- nected with national affairs was reported by no less a hand than that of General George
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Washington. When the news reached that city that the requisite nine States had ac- ceded to the Federal Constitution, the people of Alexandria immediately ordered a festival, and Washington, after attending it, addressed his friend, Charles Pinckney, under date of Mount Vernon, June 28, 1788, as follows:
"No sooner had the citizens of Alexandria, who are Federal to a man, received the intelligence by the mail last night, than they determined to devote the day to festivity. But their exhilaration was greatly increased, and a much keener zest given to their en- joyments, by the arrival of an express, two hours before day, with the news that the Convention of New Hampshire, had on the 21st instant, acceded to the new confed- eracy by a majority of eleven voices. Thus the citizens of Alexandria when convened, constituted the first assembly in America who had the pleasure of pouring a libation to the prosperity of the ten States which had already adopted the general government;" and, after speculating upon the course of the remaining States, he added: "I have just returned from assisting at the entertainment." These citizens had a dinner at the City Hotel, which is still standing.
LIEUTENANT GENERAL WASHINGTON.
In 1798 during the war between France and England in the administration of President John Adams, the French government had authorized the capture and confis- cation of all vessels of neutral powers trading with England. Against this course the protests and demands of the United States through its envoys were treated with indif- ference and even insolence, provoking to the commencement of hostilities by two naval engagements. In the extraordinary crisis, Congress then in session in Philadel- phia authorized the enrolling of 10,000 officers, musicians and privates to enforce its demands if necessary by actual war and George Washington was appointed and com- missioned July 3, 1798, Lieutenant General to command the provisional army. Happily however, the threatened conflict was averted, mainly through the personal intervention of Dr. George Logan, a United States Senator, and a member of the society of Friends. His peaceful and philanthropic influence with the French Court prevailed against its arbitrary measures, but his unofficial interference cost him a reprimand from Congress.
THE PASSING AWAY OF WASHINGTON. "How sleep the brave who sink to rest With all their country's honors blest."
There came to Mount Vernon a bleak, forbidding winter day, December 14, 1799. Washington was engaged in planning and superintending some improvements on his estate which occupied his presence till a late hour in the evening, when, on returning to the mansion, he complained of a cold and sore throat, having been wet through by mists and chilling rain. He passed the night with feverish excitement, and his ailment increased in intensity during the next day and until midnight, when, surrounded by his sorrowing household and the medical attendant, he passed gently and serenely from the scenes of earth to the realities of the great unknown. He was in the sixty-eighth year of his age. His faculties were strong and unimpaired to the last. He was con- scious from the first of his malady, that his end was near, and he waited for the issue with great composure and self-possession. "I am going," he observed to those around him "But I have no fears." His mission had been well and nobly accomplished. His great life-work, the influence of which will reach to the remotest period of time, was accomplished.
At the supreme moment Mrs. Washington sat in silent grief at his bedside .. "Is he gone?" she asked in a firm and collected voice. The physician, unable to speak, gave a silent signal of assent. "'Tis well," she added in the same untremulous utterance; "all is over now. I shall soon follow him; I have no more trials to pass through." She followed three years later. They both rest side by side in the new burial vault at the old homestead by the river.
The following quaint announcements of Washington's death from the newspapers of this locality will be of interest:
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OF VIRGINIA AND MARYLAND.
The Georgetown Centinel of Liberty, a semi-weekly, in its issue of December 17, 1799, thus announces to the country and the world the death of General George Wash- ington. 'This mournful event occurred on Saturday evening about eleven o'clock. On the preceding night he was attacked with a violent inflammatory affection of the throat, which in less than twenty-four hours put a period to his life. If a long life de- voted to the most important public services; if the most eminent usefulness, true great- ness, and consummate glory; if being an honor to our race and a model to future ages; if all these could rationally suppress our grief, never perhaps ought we to mourn so little. But as they are most powerful motives to gratitude, attachment, and venera- tion for the living and of sorrow at their departure, never ought America and the world to mourn more than on this melancholy occasion."
The Alexandria Times and District of Columbia Advertiser, of Friday, December 20, 1799, of which one half sheet is all that is known to be in existence, thus announced Washington's death and funeral: "The effect of the sudden news of his death upon the inhabitants of Alexandria can better be conceived than expressed. At first a gen- eral disorder, wildness, and consternation pervaded the town. The tale appeared as an illusory dream, as the raving of a sickly imagination. But these impressions soon gave place to sensations of the most poignant sorrow and extreme regret. On Monday and Wednesday the stores were all closed and all business suspended, as if each family had lost its father. From the time of his death to the time of his interment the bells continued to toll, the shipping in the harbor wore their colors half mast high, and every public expression of grief was observed. On Wednesday, the inhabitants of the town, of the county, and the adjacent parts of Maryland proceeded to Mount Vernon to perform the last offices to the body of their illustrious neighbor. All the military within a considerable distance and three Masonic lodges were present. The concourse of people was immense. Till the time of interment the corpse was placed on the por- tico fronting the river, that every citizen might have an opportunity of taking a last farewell of the departed benefactor."
WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY AND BIRTHNIGHT BALL. FEBRUARY 22, 1732.
What day is this of proud acclaim, Of rolling drum and trumpet strain, And banners floating on the breeze, And cannon booming loud again?
The plaudits of a nation swell O'er mountain, hill, and plain.
Not for ambition's selfish deeds- Not for the conq'ror's name, This day the glorious mede is given, But for the nobler famc,
A people come with grateful praise, And hearts in unison, As well befits to celebrate The birth of Washington!
From East and West and North and South, Throughout our broad domain,
By man world wide accorded And grander grown by time- The fame that comes of duty And life of deeds sublime.
At the close of the Revolution commenced the birthday celebrations and birthnight balls in honor of the successful chief. They soon became general all over the republic. The first of these was held in Alexandria.
In the large cities where public balls were customary, the birthnight ball in the old- en time was the gala assembly of the season, and was attended by an array of fashion and beauty.
The first President always attended on the birthnight. The etiquette was, not to open the festivities until the arrival of him in whose honor it was given; but so remark- able was the punctuality of Washington in all his engagements, whether for business or pleasure, that he was never waited for a moment, in appointments for either.
The minuet, now obsolete, for the graceful and elegant dancing of which Washing- ton was conspicuous, in the vice-regal days of Lord Botetourt in Virginia, declined
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after the Revolution. The commander-in-chief danced for his last time a minuet in 1781 at the ball given in Fredericksburg in honor of the French and American officers on their return from the triumphs of Yorktown. The last birthnight he attended was in Alexandria, February 22, 1798. He always appeared to enjoy the gay and festive, scenes of those occasions, remaining till a late hour with the participants, his neighbors and friends; foi, remarkable as he was for reserve, and the dignified gravity inseparable from his nature, he ever looked with most kind and favoring eye upon this rational and elegant pleasure of life.
MARTHA DANDRIDGE.
Martha Dandridge, daughter of Col. John Dandridge of New Kent county, Va., was born A May, 1732. Her education was quite liberal for the times. It was said she was remarkable among the belles who graced the courts of the Vice regal governors, Gooche and Din- widdie, for her beauty and accomplishments. She was married first to Col. Daniel Parke Custis of Arlington, Jon the eastern shore of Virginia who was son of John Custis one of the King's council in the province and son-in- law of Col. Daniel Parke, a native of York county, Va., where he possessed large estates but spent most of his time in England. He was a favorite aide to the Duke of Marlborough in the battle of Blenheim, Germany, which was fought on the second of August. 1704. Marl- borough commanded the English troops and Marshall Tallard those of France and Ba- varia. Tallard was defeated and slain with a loss of 27000 slain and 13000 made prisoners. By this victory the electorate of Bavaria be- came the prize of the victors. Col. Parke WIDOW MARTHA CUSTIS AT 30. had the honor of bearing the joyful tidings to Queen Anne who gave him her miniature por- trait set in diamonds, a thousand pounds sterling and made him governor of the I.ee- ward Island. His portrait as delineated by the artist Kneeler is that of a courtly gen- tleman with coat of crimson velvet embroidered with gold, a waistcoat of silver gray fabric with richly wrought figures of gold, and sash of green silk and gold.
Daniel Parke Custis at the time of his marriage with Martha Dandridge was an ex- tensive tobacco planter in New Kent county on the Pamunkey river. He died at the age of thirty leaving his widow a large fortune in lands, slaves and currency. She did not remain a widow long. About two years after her husband's death she made the acquaintance of Col. George Washington whose praise on account of his recent ex- ploits, was on all lips, and they were united in marriage January 6th, 1759, four years after the Braddock war. She brought to her second husband beside a large land estate, thirty thousand pounds in cash, consisting of certificates of deposit in the bank of Eng- land. Three months after the marriage of the twain, they took up their abode at Mount Vernon and there continued to live the rest of their lives.
The marriage nuptials were celebrated in the little parlor chamber near the White House, the home of the widow Custis on Pamunkey river. The gay governor of the provinces was gorgeously arrayed in scarlet and gold. Col. Washington was all glorious in a costume of blue and silver with scarlet trimmings and with gold buckles on his knees and on his shoes. The bride wore silk and satin brocade and laces. She had .. pearl ear drops and pearls about her neck. There was plenty of good eating and drink- ing in conformity with old time Virginia hospitality.
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OF VIRGINIA AND MARYLAND.
The last surviving child of Mrs. Washington by her first marriage was appointed colonel to Gen. Washington and made an aide on his staff. On the march to Yorktown he was seized with camp fever and died shortly after. He left four children, Elizabeth, born Aug., 1776, Martha, born Dec., 1777, Eleanor, born March, 1779, George W. Parke Custis, born April, 1781. Elizabeth was married to Thomas Law who was secretary to Warren Hastings in India and who bought a large scope of land and with others built many houses in Washington just after it became the National Capital. Martha was married to Thomas Peters. Eleanor was married to Major Lawrence Lewis, son of Fielding Lewis and Betty, a sister of George Washington, and George W. Parke Custis was married to Mary Lee Fitzhugh, whom he survived. His only daughter Mary was married to Capt. Robert E. Lee of Confederate fame.
During Washington's absence from Mount Vernon while in command of the armies of the revolution, Mrs. Washing- ton was often with him. During the winter at Valley Forge she shared the privations of the officers and ministered faith- fully to the sick and wounded of the troops. She survived the General two and a half years, dying at Mount Vernon, May, 1802, and her remains lie in the vault at that place.
WHEN MARTHA WASHINGTON WAS EIGHT YEARS OLD. Courtesy of Col. Henry T. Chapman, New York City.
MARTHA WASHINGTON AT
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WHAT MARTHA WASHINGTON NEEDED THE FIRST YEAR OF HER MARRIAGE. ORDERED FROM LONDON BY COL WASHINGTON, 1759.
The following is an exact copy of this memoranda, which is curiously quaint:
1 Cap, handkerchief and tucker.
2 Fine lawn aprons.
2 Double handkerchiefs.
2 Pairs white silk hose.
6 Pairs fine cotton liose.
4 Pairs thread hose.
I Pair of black satin shoes of the smallest fives.
I Pair of white satin shoes.
I Pair calamanco shoes.
I Fashionable hat or bonnet.
6 Pairs of kid gloves.
6 Pairs of mits.
6 Breast knots.
I Dozen silk stay laces.
I Black mask.
1 Dozen fashionable cambric handkerchiefs.
2 Pairs neat small scissors.
I Pound sewing silk.
I Box of real miniken pins and hair pins.
4 Picces of tape.
6 Pounds of perfumed powder.
1 Piece narrow white satin ribbon.
1 Tuckered petticoat of a fashionable color.
I Silver tabby petticoat.
2 Handsome breast flowers.
9 Pounds of sugar candy.
So Martha used perfumed powder, brcast knots, silken hose, and satin shoes like any modern lady who makes the slightest pretentions to fine dressing.
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