Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-06-09
8eabing
Ann PAMELA CUNNINGHAM.

Ann PAMELA CUNNINGHAM.
Delicacy has forbidden (says the Charleston
Evening News) any persoiai illusions on our
part to "The Southern Matron" and the Mount
Vernon cause The annexed account from the
Marion (Alabama) American is correct, except
in so far as modified by the following particulars.
Mrs. Robert Cunningham, the mother Of Miss
Cunningham, was Hrginian, born at AleXan-
dria, and her earliest Associations and warmest
memories, together with connection, attached
her to the Washington family. Seeing with
grief that neither Congress nor Virginia would
buy and preserve Mount Vernon, and hearing
with great emotion that Northern manuac-
turing company had tendered to its owner, Mr..
John a. Washington, $500, ,000for it, she indg-
nantly exclaimed-to1 rsdaughier3 then resident
az an invalid at Philadelphia, that as men would
do nothing, the daughters Of the South should
rescue it from profane Northern hands, and con-
secrate it as q revered shrine for the world
The exclamation suggested to the daughter
conception of the feasibility and proprety Of
the idea, and she determined IL should be erecuted
The two at once arranged for the movement to
commence in South Carolina-their State. An
article was prepared, and Mrs. Robert Cunning
| ham, on her return to South Carolina, had it
the instance of Ourself under the signature Of
"a Southern Matron,n appropriate 10 her. Miss
Ann Pamela Cunningham forthwith proceeded
to active measures, arranged the plans, organ
lied the Association, was made President Of the
general National Association Of the Ladies of
! tue United States and conducted the CORES
pondence and animated the efforts under the
nom de plume Of her mother. Dclcacy and
propriety made this fit. Two circumstances
rendered it Of late proper that she should ap-
pear in her own character and name. The in
corporation Of the Association b. Virginia, of
which she was nominated Regent, an n oaicia1
public position, and the necessity of tranSacting
legal business under real names, was the most
prominent. The indelicacy Of Mr.. Fuller whose
nom de plrn,s is +" Belle BriAan," and who was
favored by being admitted to an interview in
connection with call by the English balladist,
Mr. Mackay, in exposing her name with face
tious comment, preclpltated tue step, which,
under the advice of Mr.. Everett, was promptly
taken.
Injustice has been done Mr. John A. Wash
ington. Mount Vernon was his property, por-
ton Of limited competency, and man surely
has the right and it his duty to well "provide
for his own household" At q sacrifice Of $780,
OOO, he reserved Mount Vernon for Virginia or
the Federal Government ut $500 900; and when
they finally did not act, he sold to the ladies' of
America for hallowed purpose ut that price,
rejecting at such sacrifice all other offers. Yes,
and trusting ttsir efforts, too, for more than half
the money.
The numerous mistakes of the press on these
particulars have elected this article:
The SOUTHERN MArRoN.-The name of the
Southern Matron has been for years familiar as
a household word among us, yet proper feel
ing of delcacy and gallantry forbade the men
ton of the real name modcsty concealed behind
this nomne de plume. IT was our fortune to have
known her since our boyhood, to have been a
near neighbor, and also to have known her con-
nection, from the beginning, with the noble ef-
fort which will consecrate her name as immor-
tal Recently, at the earnest Importantly of
Mr.. Everett and other friends, she has been in
duced to drop her title Of Southern Matron and
sign public document in her own proper name,
Ann Pamela Cunningham. Some paper recent
ly spoke of her as Virginian. This is mis-
take. As we are better acquainted with her
and her history than any one else here and
since the matter has already assumed a public-
ty which ustfes the freedom, we will crafty
public curiosity as far as delicacy will permit.
The Southern Matron, then, is Miss Ann Pane
In Cunningham, native of Laurens District,
four native District,) South Carolina. The
family residence now is Rose Monte, on the
east side of the Saluda. in Laurens District.
Her father, Robert Cunningham, is q wealthy
planter and noble gentleman. Miss Cunning
ham received, of course, the most liberal and
thorough education. Several years ago she
wrote with much spirit and ability historical
work upon some incidents of the Revolution,
Though rich, beautiful and highly accomplished,
and Of course wooed by innumerablc suitors,
yet she never married. She is small in figure
and blonde.
In 1853, she conceived the noble design of
arousng her countrymen to the purchase of
Mount Vernon. Well do we remember her
first appeal, in on eloquent letter signed IA
Southern Matron." we were then editor of o
paper in South Carolina, and she sent us the
letter to publish. 1t will always be OUR pride
to remember that we were so early connected
with this patriotic effort By her influence an
address was made near her home, at Liberty