Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1826-06-22
rRom THE NATIONAL GAZETTE.
THE MOTHER OF WASHINGTON.

Extracts
From the "Reconecaoa Of Washington, a new
work by George ". z. Gusts, Esq autho
of the conversation of La Fayette," &c.
"Oftke remote ancestorseof the chief
our recolections will Of necessity be We
~ limited. The grandfather came from
England, Cheshire, il is believed, abou
the time of the early settlers in the nor
thern neck of Virginia, but the place OF
his residence is unknown, though it has
been matter of considerable research,
to his descendants.
"Augustin Washington, the father, we
find settled on Pope's creek, branch OF
the Potomac, in the county of West
lnoreland, and there the great chief was
born, the 22nd of February, 1889. This
interesting spot is now marked by a
stone, placed there, by the hand of filiai
affection and gratitude, in 1915.
Upon the father becoming engaged
in the agency of the Principle Iron
Works, and the conhagration of his seat
in Westmoreland, he removed with his
family, to a situation near the village of
Fredericksburg, where he died about
middle age, universally esteemed as
man of worth and honor, and as an use
full member of society. He is described
as having been of fair complexion, tall
stature, AMI manly proportions
AT the time of his fathers death e.
Washin gton was twelve years OF aye,
and has been heard to say, that he knew
little of his father, other than remem-
brance Of his person, and OF his paternal
fondness.-Of the mother that dlstin-
gushed woman, to whose peculiar cast
of character, and more than ancient dis
cipline, in the education of her illus
trious son, himself ascrbed the origin
of his fortunes, and his fame, we have
much to say.
"She was descended from the very re-
spectacle family OF Ball, who settled as
English colonists, on the banks OF the
Potomac. Bred in those domestics and
independent habits which graced the
Virginia natrons, ia the old days of Vir-
ginia, this lady By the death of her hus-
band. beca ne involved in the cares of a
young family, at a period when those
seem more especially TO claim the aid
and control Of the stronger sex; and 1t
was left for this remarkable woman, by
method the most rare, by an edu-
cation, and discipline, the most peculiar
and imposing, to form in the youth-time
of her son. those great and essential!
qualities, which efhim on to the glories
of his after life. Il the school savored
more of the Spartan, than the Persian
character, it was the filter school to
form hero. destined to be the orna-
ment of the age in which he houriShed,
and standard of excellence for ages
Jet to come.
sit was said by the ancients that the
mother always gave the tone to the char
acter of the child, and we hope to be
permitted to say, that since the renown-
ed days of antiquity, mother has not
lived, better fitted to give the tone and
character ofreal greatness to her child,
than her, whose remarkable life and
actions this Renaissance will en-
deavour to illustrate.
The mother OF Washington, in form
ing him for those distinguished parts me
was destined to perform, fret taught
him the duties of obedience, the better
TO prepare him for those of command.
In the well ordered domicil, where his
early years were passed, the legity and
indulgence. common to youth, was tenn
pered by Difference and we'll regula-
ted restraint, which while it curtailed,
or suppressed no rational enjoyment
usual in the spring time Of life, prescrf-
bed those enjoyments within the bounds
OF moderation and proprlety.