The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-10-04
From the Richmond Whig.
The Mother OF Washington

We have received the following letter from a
friend in Westmoreland, in reply to the inquiries
OF a correspondent from New Jersey Il is obvi-
ousy not designed for publication; but il contains
some matters worthy of insertion, and may lead to
information from other sources. Ii is not yet too
late to gather great many particulars OF her who
gave birth TO, and reared the greatest man the
world has known. We beg amy gentleman, who
may be in possession of any facts or who can pro-
cure them, TO do So and forward them to US.
WEsrMoRELASD, Sept. 81, ls49.
GENTLEMEN observe the inquiry addressed to
&C. W. l.. of Westmoreand," q presume TO me)
in your paper of the - instant, in relation 10 the
ancestors of General Washingtons mother re-
greet that am unable to give your correspondent
from N. J. the information he seeks. All the in
formation have concerning Mrs Washington's
progenitors Is derived from vague and uncertain
tradition, upon the accuracy Of which place
reliance myself, and would not communicate it to
others authentic history. Indeed, TO be candid,
have never made the maternal ancestry Of Gen.
Washington the subject of inquiry. From some
cause, il seems To have been very generally over
looked very unfortunately and improperly think;
for all who knew his mother (and there are some
living now, or were a few years ago, who remem-
Der herr concur in ascribng to her many of those
energetic and heroic traits OF character for which
her illustrious eminent, and which would
have distinguished and adorned Roman matron.
! have always believed and maintained that the
high moral and intellectual qualities are nine times
out OF ten inherited from the mother. Gen. Washs
ington's father wholly undistnguished--n
even llng the most inferior and subordinate grade
OF civil offices and employments in his county. II
does not appear from court records that he was
ever in the commission of the peace
have heard my grandfather tell many anecdotes
OF Mrs. Washington; all tending to prove her a
woman of the noblest sense of honor and virtue
OF masculine mind-great decision and energy of
spirit-and rigid disciplnarian--as his boyish
ears had often bore testimony. But this field, as
well every other connected with the family of
Washington, has been so frequently travelled over,
and so closely culled by the fictitious and mproba-
BILE narratives of that modern Boswell and Prince
of Romances, --, that should only
add to the disgust with which some regard the sub
jeet, TO say any thing more about it.
There are those, perhaps, living in Northumber-
land OF the Ball family, who could shed some light
upon the ancestry of Mrs. Washington. On the
day that received your paper, a gentleman at my
house mentioned an old lady in New Kent county,
who was well acquainted with the Washington
family, and who, he thought, might communicate
something satisfactory in regard to the question.
Her name do not remember think it probable
that the Rev. Edward MEG uire, of Fredericksburg
who married Miss Lewis, and has written a book
to prove the religious character of Washington
may know something about it.
You see am cropping in the dark and, after all
i have said, leave you as much in ignorance about
the matter as you were at first But il has served
me opportunity of wishing you all health and
prosperity, individually and professionally, and of
adding how much am, very respectfully
Your friend and ob't servant, G.. w. l..
To the EDIToRs THE WIG.