The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-12-10
Martha Washington.

The wife OF " aShneton must ever DC
subject Of interest to the women Of Ameri-
ca. Her virtues, apart from the exalted po-
sition of her husband, have made her wor-
thy Of remembrance and esteem. She was,
in every respect, model Of her sex,
The maiden name OF Lady Washington
was Martha Danl ridge, and She was born Of
an honolahl, family in the county of New
Kent, Va, in May, l7s2 She grew up
beautiful and aniublc; aud at sixteen was
already the belle Of the district. Accomp
li,hcd, at least lor that Gay; peculiarly fas-
cinaiing in manners; and possessed of a
graceful aud pleasing counienancc, she was
sought in marriage by numerous admirers
and She finally bestowed her hand, at the
are of seventeen, on Col. Daniel Parkc
Gusts Of her native county. Two children
were the frui hi, marriage, neither OF
whom survive mother
While vet j.. full Lloom of beauty
Mrs. Gusts was left widow With an
ample fortune, and unusual charms of per
son, she was soon again besicged with suit
Ors. But none made any impression on her
heart until Size attained her twenty sikh
year when she acclently made the acquaint
ancc Of Washington, then Colonel in the
service Of Virginia Her grandson, Gcor.,
W. Parkc Gusts in biography Of her life
has given romantic account Of the first in.
tcr,icw between Mrs Gusts and her fului,
husband
=" 1t was in l7jS," says her lioeI aphcr
that an officer atireiin military undres
and attended by body servant, tall an,
military a his chief crossed the ferry callec
! Williams over the Pamnnkey, a branch 0
the York River On the boat touching ih,
southern or New keul side, the soldier
progress wa, arrested by ore of those per
sonagcs Who give the beau ideal Of the Nir
einia gentleman Of the old rcgime--the yer1
sou! Of Kindness and hospitality. lie woul,
hear of no excuse on the officers part fo
dec' ming the invitation TO sop n lis house
lu i.n the Colonel pleaded important busi
ness at Wi'liamsburgh Mr Chamberlain
insisted that his friend must dine with hin
at the very least. lie promised tempta
tion,'o introduce him to young and charm
ing widow, who Glanced hcp TO be an in
mate Of his dwelling At last tho soldic
surrendered at discretion resolving howcvc
to pursue his journey the same evening
They proceeded to the mansion.
'Mr. Chamherlayne presented Col. Wasl
inglon to his various guests, among whol
was the beautiful Mrs Cuslis, 1radito
says that the two were fayoraLly imprcsse
with each other at the first interview.
may be supposed 'hai the conversation turn
ed upon scenes in which the whole commu
nifty had deep inlcrcst-sccncs which III
young hero, fresh from his early fields, coul
eloquently describe and we may fancy wit
what earnest p rapid interest the fair lis
encr to hear tad seriously incline !" OF ho,
" The heavenly rhetoric of her eyes beam
CO unconscious admira ion upon the mani
speaker The morning passed: the su
sank low In the horizon. The hospitabl
hosi smiled us he saw the coloncl's iaiihfl
attendant, Bishop true to his orders, holdin
his masters spirited stood at the gate Th
veteran waited, ahd maryeled at the delay
"Ah, Bisiop,' says the fair writer, DESERT
ing .hc occurrence, "there was an urchin i
the drawing room more powerful than Kin
George and all his governors Subtle as
sphynx, he had hidden the important dci
patches from the soldiers sight shut up h
ears from the summons of the tell>lalc clocl
and was PLAYING such mad pranks with III
2 bravest heart in Christendom, that it ilutlei
ed with the excess Of new found happiness.
Mr. Chambcrlayne insisted that no que
, ever left his house after sunset, and his Vi
ilor vas persuaded, without much difficult
to remain. The next day was far advan
ell when the euamorcd soldier was on II
road 10 Williamsbureh His business the
being despatched, he hastened to the capt
p va'ing widow.
The marriage that followed the acquain
ancoship thas romanlically begun, took plat
in 1889, and was attended by all the beau
, and wealth Of lha neiehborhood. After Il
+ ceremony, ColaDs. and Mrs. Washington r
paired 10 Mount Vernon, where they toe
! nm thair nhodc Ry flis uuion m oddifi,