Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1850-09-10
Martha Washington.
By CATHARINE ALLAN.

By cATHARINE ALLAN.
The wife of Washington must ever be
subject of interest TO the women of A
merica. Her own virtues, apart from the
exalted position of her husband, have
made her worthy of remembrance and es.
TEEN. She was, in every respect, model
for her sex.
The maiden name ofLady Washington
was Martha cambridge, and she was born
of an honorable family in the county of
New Kent, Va. in May, 1852. She
grew up beautiful and amiabe; and, at
sixteen, was already the belle of the dis
trict Accomplished, at least, for that
day peculiarly fascinating in her man
ners; and possessed of graceful and
pleasing countenance, she was sought in
marriage by numerous admirers; and she
finally bestowed her hand, at the age of
seventeen, on Colonel Daniel Parke CuG
lis, of her native county. Two children
were the fruits of this marriage, neither
of whom survived the mother.
While yet in full bloom ofbeautv, Mrs
Curtis was left widow. With an ample
fortune, and unusual charms of person,
she was soon again beseiged with suitOrs.
But none made any impression OH her
heart until she had attained her twenty
sixth year, when she accidentally made
the acquaintance of Washington, then a
colonel in the service of Virginia. Her
grandson, George w. Parke Curtis, in a
biography ofher life, has given romantic
account of this first interview between
Mrs. Curtis and her future husband.
cit was in 1882 says her biographer
" that an officer, attired in a military un-
dress, and attended by body servant, tall
and miitarie as his Chief, crossed the
ferry called Williams, over the Pamun-
key, branch of the York River. On the
boat touching tie southern, or New Kent
side, the soldiers progress was arrested
by one of those personages who give the
beau ideal of the Virginia gentleman OF
the old rrgime-the very soul Of kindness
and hospitality. He would hear of no
excuse on the officers part for declining
the invitation to stop at his house. In
vain the colonel pleaded important busi-
ness at WIIiamsburgh; Mr.. Chamber
layne insisted that his friend must dine
with him at tie very least. He promised
IS a trmDtaticn, to introduce him TO a
Young ANA charming widow, who chanccd
then to he m inmate of his dwelling. AT
last the soldier surrendered at discreaton.
resolving, however, to pursue his Journey
lhe same evening. They proceeded TO
lie mansion. Mr.. Chamberlayle pre-
sented Colonel Washington to his various
quests, among whom was the beautiful
Mrs. CuSts. Tradition says that the
two were favorably impressed with each
other at the first interview"
The marriage that followed the acqualnt-
anceshp thus romantically begun. took
place in 1859, and was attended by all the
beauty and wealth of the neighhorhoed.
After the ceremony, Colonel and Mrs.
Washington repaired to Mount Vernon
where hey took up their abode. BY this
union, an addition Of about one huLdred
thousand dollars was made to The fortune
of Washington, an accession which rem
dered him one of the most opuIent gentle
men of the Dominion. Engrossed with
each other, the young couple continued
10 reside on their estate until the War Of
Indcpendence breaking out, Washington
was summoned TO the field 10 lead his
country's armies. Mrs. Washington, how
ever. even now, would not consent TO part
entirely from her husband. She accom-
panied hum to Cambridge, and there re-
NAMED until the evacuation OF Boston,
when. the army moving on 10 New ork
for an active campaign, she returned Tor a
while to Virginia.
After this il was her custom to spend
her summers at Mount Vernon, reloinlng
the general as soon as the army went Ih'o
y.;nt,r-ouar,ers. At the close ot each
c,mDaiGn. accordingly. an aid de~camP
was deSpatched to escort her 10 her E"s-
hand. Her arrival al camp was always
season of rejoicing. The PLAIN chariot
with the neat positions in their scarlet
AVID white liveries, was welcomed as The
h,rbiroer of rest and cheeriumess. Her
nxamr7g was followed by the wives of the
.r;rLcr officers. Thus, every winter
somc,bing like society was established al
Le.d onarlers, when the smiles and al
coc,;cn Of women revealed, for season.
-, Ir,st the gloom o. disaster and desPalI'
Ia1y Washington was accustomed TO
CIV ,ha, !, had ever been her fortune TO
hear The frs, cannon At The opening aHu
,he last at the closing Of all the campaigns
Of the war Of independence. During .hf
terrible winter Of l777-s, she was al ' al