Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1853-05-19
wAsHINGToN's ooURTsHIP AND MAR
RIAGE.

| Dtdullu1i1 6ltudtcu Ou luC DdnhS VI
the Paumunkey, is the mansion known
as s'the White House." 1t stands on
the site of the one in which Washington
was married. From Custis's Life OF
Mrs. Martha Washington, we extract
the account of his courtship and mar
riage:
It was in 1853 that Washington, at
tired in a military undress, and attended
by body servant, tall and milaaire as
his chief, crossed the ferry called Will
Jams, over the Paumunkey, branch of
York River. On the boat touching the
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 regi-
me, the very soul of kindness and hos
pitality. 1t was in vain the soldier
urged his business at Williamsburg, i'm
portant communications to the Cover
nor, DC. Mr.. Chamberlayne, on whose
domaine the militaire had just landed,
would hear of no excuse. Col. Wash
ington was a name and character so
dear to all Virginians, that his passing
by one of the castles of Virginia, with
out calling and partaking of the hospi-
talities of the host, was entirely out of
the question. The Colonel, however,
did not surrender at discretion, butstout-
ly maintained his ground till Chamber
layne, bringing up his reserve in the in
timation that he would introduce his
friend to a young and charming widow,
then beneath his roof, the soldier capitu-
lated, on condition that he should dine
only dine-and then by pressing his
charger and borrowing of the night, he
would reach Williamsburg before his ex-
cellency could shake off his morning
slumbers. Orders were accordingly is
sued to Bishop, the Colonel's body ser
want and faithful follower, who, together
with the English charger, had been be-
queathed by the dying Braddock to Ma
jor Washington, on the famed and fated
field of Monongahela. Bishop bred in
the school of European discipline, raised
his hand to his cap, as much as to say,
"Your orders shall be obeyed."
The Colonel now proceeded to the
mansion, and was introduced to various
guests, (for when was a Virginia domi
Gil of the olden time without guests and
above all, to the charming widow. Ira
dition relates that they were naturally
pleased, on this, their first interview
nor is it remarkable; they were of an
age when impressions are strongest
The lady was fair to behold, of fascina-
ting manners, and splendidly endowed
with worldly benefits. The hero was
fresh from his early fields, redolent of
fame, and with form on which "every
god did seem to set his seal, to give the
world assurance of man."
The morning passed pleasantly away,
evening came, with Bishop, true to his
orders and firm at his post, holding the
favorite charger with one hand, while
the other was waiting to offer the ready
stirrup. The sun sunk in the horizon,
and yet the Colonel appeared not
"Twas strange, twas passing strange"
surely he was not wont to be a single
moment behind his appointment-for he
was the most punctual of all men.
Meantime the host enjoyed the scene
of the veteran at the gate, while the Co.
lionel was so agreeably employed in the
parlor; and proclaiming that no visitor
ever left his house at sunset, his militia
ry guest was, without much difficulty,
persuaded to order Bishop to put up the
horses for the night The sun rose high
in the heavens the ensuing day, when
the enamored soldier pressed with his
spur his chargers side, and speeded on
his way to the seat of government,
where, having despatched his public bu-
siness, he retraced his steps, and, at the
White House, the, engagement took
place, with preparations for marriage.
And much hath the biographer heard
of that marriage, from the gray-haired
domestics who waited at the board
where love made the festal and Wash
ington the guest And rare and rich
was the reyelry at that palmy period of
Virginia's festal age; for many were
gathered to that marriage, of the good,
the great, the gifted, and they with Joy
Gus acclamations, hailed in Virginia's
youthful hero happy and prosperous
bridegroom.
"And so you remember when Col.
Washington came a courting of your
young mistress?" said the biographer to
old Gully, in his hundredth year. GAY,
master, that l do. replied the ancient
family servant, who had lived to see five
generations; "great times, sir, great
times-shall never see the like againl''
"And Washington looked something like
a mana proper man-hey, Culy?"
"Never seed the ike, sir-neyer the
like of him, though l have seen many in
my day-so tall, SO straight and then
he sat on horse and rode with such an
airl All, sir, he was like no one else
Many of the grandest gentlemen in the
gold lace were at the wedding; but none
looked like the man himself"
Strong, indeed, must have been the
impression which the person and manner
OF Washington made upon the crude,
untutored mind" of this poor negro,
since the lapse of three-ouarters of a
century had not suficed to efface it
The precise date of the marriage the
biographer has been unable to discover
having in vain searched among the re-
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