Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-08-04

The Southern Literary Messenger speaks IN
btSh eocamsndaison Of Mr. PsuiiInx's IIfe II
" ashEngtoo. ana avs thatt Will take a deep
er hold On the popular mind thaa any work
that has vet been written on the sane subject.
We sublo,n a few eat acts
WASHINGTON BIRTH PLACE.
The house IN which Washington was
born. stood about half nile from the
junction Of PoPes Greek with the Po-
tonac, and was either burned or pull
ed down long previous % the Revolu-
ton. \ few scanty relics alone remain
TO mark the spot which vail ever be
sacred IN the ewes Of posterty. A
clump OF old decAyed ~ trees, proba-
bly, ccevll with the manson, yet exists,
number OF vines. and shrubs, and
flowers, sull reproduce themselves
every year, a # ~ marx Its ate. and
hognsh among the halloVed ruins; and
a stone, placed there by Mr.. George
Washington Gusts, bears the simple
inscription Here. on the lIih OF Fe-
brulry, O. :. 1872, George Wash
rng;on vas born.
The spot Is Of the deepest interest, not
only from rs associations. but ITS nltu-
RAJ beauties. II commands a view Of the
MARY land shore OF the Potomac. one OF
the most majestic Of rivers, and OF iis
course for many miles toN ards Chesl-
Peake Bay. An aged gentleman, still
living "a the neiEhbo:hood. remembers
the house IN which Washington ~as
born. Ii vas low pitched, single
stoned, frame building with four rooms
on the first floor, and an enormous
chimney at each end "a the out aide.
This vas the style Of the better sor, of
houses IN those DAYS. lad ihey are all
occahOnAlly seen IN the old settlement
Of Virginia.
Mrs. wASHiNGToN.
Il has been related % me- by one
whose authority cannot doubt that
the first meeting # Col. Washington
with has future wife vas entire acci-
dental, and took place at the house of
Mr. Chamberlayne, who resided on the
Pamunkey one Of the branches Of
York River. Washington Yas on biz
way 10 Williamsburg. on some = hat
pressing business. when be- net Mr..
Chlmberlayne, who. according 70 the
good old Virginia custom. which for
bidS a traveller - PASS the door with
out doing homage ltthe freslde Of hos
Pi,Aliiy, insisted on has stopping an
hour or two at his II ansion. Wash
ington complied uHwillingly. for has
business vas urgent. But It - said
that he was m no haste 10 depart, for
be had met the lady OF has fate IN the
person Of Mrs. Martha Cus;is. of the
White House, county Of New Kent, IN
I Virginia.
have now before me a copy Of an
original p,cture Of this lady, taken about
the time Of which ayr treating, when
she capuvated the affections OF Wash
Ington. i: represents figure rather
below the middle sIze, with hazel eyes
and hair u the same color. finely round
ed arms. a beautiful chest and taper
waist dressed IN a blue SILK robe Of the
fashion Of the times. and altogether
furnishing a very sufficient apology u
a young gentleman Of seven and twenty
for delaying his journey. and perhaps
forgetting his errand foF tune The
sun went down and rose again before
Washington departed Tor Williamsburg
leaving bis hear; behind him. and per.
haps carrying another aS1y 10 FL.
change. Having completed BIS bun-
ness s,tbe seat d government. be soon
after visited the White House. and
beng accustomed. a. nv Informant
saws. 20 energetic and persevenng ac-
uon Won the far lady and carried hei
ID from a crowd Of rivals
The marriage took place n the win
Ter 81 1873. bit al what precise date "a
not 70 Be- found IN any record. nor 70 T.
I believe, within The recollection Of
any person living have IN my pos.
session. a manuscript containing the
particulars Of vlri0us conversations with
Old Jeremy Washfn gions biack ser.
want, uho vas 18th ban AZ Br8dlock
defeat. and accompanied ham "a hu
wedding expedition 70 the " 0re Hous,
Otd Jeremy - st,H hving whhe ! an
Dow uubnE. and IN full posseSioa NJ
hs faculties. Hu memory - most -.
Pecia,ly preserved and. a. might ,,
expected he delights b talk q Massl
] Ceorge The vSsle senes q eonver
sations vas taken down verbatim. n
the peculiar phraseology of the man
and e y qusts ImPossIbls 10 read The re-
cord q has hving chronicle u the ear.
" days q Washington, without ~.
eaiviaR Ne fan eosyir6on az Its Der.