Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-07-31
COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE OF WASH.
INGTON


COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE OF WASH
INGTON.
1t was in 1859 that an officer, attred in militia
ry undress, and attended by body servant, tall
and mhtaire as his chief crossed the ferry called
Williams over the Pomunkey, a brunch of the
York river On the boat touching the southern or
Now Kent side, the soldiers progress was arrested
by one OF those personages who give the beau ideal
OF the Virginia gentlemen of the regime the very
soul OF kindness and hospitality. 1t was in vain
the soldier urged his business at WILLIAMSBURG
important communications to the Governor, &c
Mr. Chonberlayne, on whose domain the miliiaIre
had Just landed, would hear of no excuse. Col.
Washington was name and character so dear to
all Vlrelnians. that his passing by one of the cas-
Ties OF Virginia without calling and partaking of
the Inequalities Of the host, was entirely out of the
question The Colonel, however, did not surrender
al discretion, but stonty maintained his ground till
Chambcrloyne, bringing up his reserve, in the in
llmatlon that he would introduce his friend to a
young and charming widow, then beneath his root,
the soldier capuated, on condition that he should
dlne-Ouly dnc-Gnd then hy pressing his CHARGER
and borrowing Of the night, he would reach WI
liamsburg before his EXcellcncy could shake of
his morning slumbers. Orders were accordingly
issued 10 Bishop, the Culoncl's body servant and
faithful follower, who together with the jne Eug-
llsh charger, had been bequeathed by dying Brad
dock to Major Washington, on the filmed and iatcd
Of European discipline, raised his hand to his cap
as much ms TO say, your orders shall be obeyed.
The Col. now proceeded to the mansion, and was
introduced TO various guests, (fur when was Vlr-
gna donlcil of the olden time without guests y
and above all, TO the charming widow. Tradition
relates they were Of an age when impressions are
the strongest The lady was fair to behold, of las-
clnatng manners and spendidly endowed with
worldly benefits. The hero was fresh from his
early fields, rodolent of fame; and with form on
which every god did seem to set his seal to gIye
the world assurance Of man."
The morning passed pleasantly away, evening
came, with Bishop true to his orders and firm at his
post, holding his layorte charger in one hand, while
the other was waiting to offer the ready slirrup.-
The sun sunk in the horizon, and yet the Colo.el-
appeared not. "'rwas strange, twas passing
strange y surely he was not wont to be single
moment behind his appointments for he was the
most punctpal of all men.
Meantime, the host enjoyed the scene Of the yet
eron ut the gate, willie the Colonel was so ugreea
bly, employed in the parlor; and proclaimng that
no visitor ever left his home at sunset bis military
guest was withlttle difficulty persuaded TO order
Bishop TO put up the horses for the night. The
sun rode high in the heavens the ensuing day, WheH
the en3moured soldier pressed with his spur his
chargers side, and speeded on his way, TO the scat
OF government, where having dispatched his public
business, he rctraced his steps, and at the White
for marriage
Aud much hath the biographer heard of that
marriage from the gray-halred domestlcs who wait
ed at the board where love made the feast and
Washington the guest. And rare and high was
the reyery at the balmy period Of Vrginias lestal
age; ior many were gathered to that marriage of
the good, the great the gifted, and they with joy
Gus accumations, hailed in Vrginia's youthful he
70 happy and prosperous bridegroom
"And so you remember when Colonel Washing
the Diographerto old Gully, in his hundrcdth year,
cay, master, that do" replied the ancient family
servant, who had lived to see five generations ;
"great times, sir, great tmcs-shall never see the
like again" Sand Washington looked something
like man, proper m0n-hey, Gully" "Neyer
seed the like sir-never seed the like of him. tho
| have seen many in my day-so tall, so straight.
and then he rode with such air! All, sir! he
was like no one else. Many of the grandest gen.
tlemen, in the gold lace, were at the wedding, but
none were like the man himself" Strong indeed,
must have been the impression which The person
land the manner Of Washington made upon tho
crude untutored mind" Of this poor negro, since
the lapse Of three quarters OF century had not
suiced to cflace it.
The precise date Of the marriage the biographer
hrs been unable to discover, having in vain search
ed among the records of the vestry of St. Peters
Clurch, New Kent, Of which the Rev. Mr.. Munson
Cambridge scholar was the rector, and perform
ed The ceremony, it is believed about 1859. a
short time after her marriage, Colonel and Mrs
Washington removed to Mount Vernon on the POI
tomac,kand permanently settled there.-Lico Of Mrs.
.Ntrihu UdShngi0a.