The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1853-06-14
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Was.linston's Courtship and Mar

Was.lington's CourtsI,ip and Mar
riage.
Beautifully situated on the banks Of the Pau
munkey, is the mansion known as the "White
House." 1t stands on the site of the one in
which Washington was married. From Gusts
Life of Martha Washington we extract the ac-
count Of his courtship and marriage:
1t was in 1853, that Washington attired in a
military undress and attended by body ser
vant tall and n,iAtaire as his chief, crossed the
ferry called the Walliam's, over the Paumunkey,
branch Of the York river On the boat touch
ing the southern or New Kent side the soldiers
progress was arrested BY one Of those pcrsonages
who give the beau ideal of the Virginia gentle
man of the old regime, the very soul ofkindness
and hospitality. 1t was in vain the soldier urg-
ed his business at Williamsburg, important COM
munications to tue Governor, &c. Mr.. Cham
berayne, on whose domain the militaire had just
landed, would hear no excuse. Col. Washing
ton was Il name and character so dear to all Vir-
ginians, that his passing by one ofthe castles of
Virginia, without calling or partaking Of the hos
ptalties of the host was entirely out Of the ques
ton. The Colonel however, did not surrender at
discretion, but stouty maintained his ground till
Chamberlayne, bringing up his reserve, in the
intimation that he would introduce his friend
to young and charming widow, then be-
meath his roof the soldier capitulated, on condi-
ton that he should dine-only dine, aud then,
by pressing his charger and borrowing Of the
Light, ho would reach Williamsburg before his
I kxcellency could Shake off his morning sumbers.
Orders were accordingly issued to Bishop, the
Coloneps body servant and faithful follower, who,
together with the English charger, had been be-
queathed by the dying Braddock to Maj Wash
ington, on the famed and fatal field of Mononga-
heIa Bishop, bred in the school Of European
discipline raised his hand to his cap, as much as
to say, "lour orders shall be obeyed."
and was introduced to various guests, (for when
was a Virginia domicil in olden time without
gusts) and above all, to the charming widow
Tradition relates tia: they were naturally pleas
ed, on this, their first intcrvicw-nor is it re-
markah!e; they were at an age when impressions
are strongest-the lady was fair to behold, Of
| fascinating manners, and splendidly endowed
with worldly benefits. The hero was fresh from
the early fields, redocnt of fame, and with a
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 flvorite charger with one
hand, while the other was waiting to offer the
ready stirrup. The sun sank in the horson, and
yet the Colonel appeared not. "Twas strange,
twas passing strange" surely he was not wont
to be 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 Colonel was so
agreeably employed in the parlor and proclaim
inc that no visitor ever left his house at sunset,
his military 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 spurs his chargers side, and
specdcd on lis way% the seat Of government,
where having despatched his public business, he
retraced his steps, and at the White House the
engagement took place with preparations to
marry
And much hath the biographer heard Of that
marriage, from the gray-haired domestic who
waited at the board where love made the festal
and Washington the guest. And rare and rich
was the rcvcry at the balmy period of Virginias
festal age; for many were gathered to that mar
riagc of the good, the great, the gifted and they,
with JOYOUS exclanotions, hailed in Virginia's
youthful hero a happy and prosperous bride
groom.
$50 You remember when Col. Washington
came courting of your Young mistress" said the
boeraphcr to old Gully, in his hundrcdth year.
"Av, massa, that do" replied the ancient fam
v servant, who had lived to see five generations;
"great times, sir, great times-shall never see
the like again - "And Washington looked
something like mana proper man-hey, Cul-
lv2 ?" "Nevcr seed the like, sir-never the like
Of him, though have seen many in my day
so tall, so straight! and then he sat on horse
and rode with such an air. 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 rude, untutored mind of this poor
negro, since the lapse Of three quarters of CEN
tury had not sufficcd to efface it.
The precise date of the marriage the biogra-
phcr has been unable to discover, having in vain
searched among tho records Of the vestry of St. !