Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-01-02
OBITUARY
TIihnie 10 DsparItd worth.

+ .riy this month was recorded the death
of Mrs. Anna Maria Mason, rellct OF Gen.
John Mason, late OF ClerhOnt, Fairfax coun,
~, Virginia. she Was the daughter Of DR.
James Murray, Of Annapolis, Md J aud
died 10 the eighty first year OF her age. She
leaves numerous descendants TO mourn over
her, among whom the distinguished Senator
from Virginia is one. A brief tribute to her
is DUE even after the interval that has passed
since her death Was announced.
Not far short of fifty years ngo, the writer
of this visited AnalostIn Island, once the
matrimonial estate If Gen. Mason and then
his residence, accompanied by distiC-
yuished foreigner of the diplomatic corps in
Washington. The latter remarked upon the
beautiful appearance Of the scenery aud
homestead he saw there. His companion
said, but they must be % nothing to what
your eye has been accustomed to IN Jour
own country, where time has been 80 long al
work creating eveIy form OF rural beauty and
sttractiveuess." lie replied, that what he
saw al! around bin on that island would call
for admiration every where.
The distiu2 uisbed foreign visitor might
we'll have applied bis last remark to the te-
male head Of the beautiful homestead then be-
fure him. She il was who adorned it in ways
euloey could tot easily reach without ap-
pearing ovcrStrainei; yet she never sought
eulogy from the world. Living IN 1t uhder
every advantage it was only from the iaith-
full performance Of her duties a. wife, moth
or, friend, neighb0r, mistress; II was only as
seeking to do good wherever she could Ind
An opening for H. to the poor; TO those not
moor but discpnsolat b.; in the cham Der OF the
sick. or wherever there was suffering to be
alleyi,tcd-these and things like these, no
others. would have been her choice for eu!O-
gy had she ever sought 1t at all. But her
deed. came from the heart, and were consld-
cred as obligations by the strong weilJudg-
ING mind she ever brought 10 the esti-
mate of her duties. They went silently
hand in hand with another train OF duties,
in gracefully presidiug over the hospi-
talities then 80 largely dispensed at Ana
lostan Island; in kindly receiving the strar-
ger arriving under tie family roof; III
throwing charm round the guests Invited
20 the table, or seen st iul ,hampet"es upon
the lawn, or on spots where the Potomac
romaptcallv flowed alJrg the island shore.
So il was that she perpetually blended the
manners OF the accumpilsucu WoinSu VI Npo
world, amidst entertainments In which the
elite Of our own and other lands participated,
with ,be high duties of christian lady
nlaced in q sphere to claim their exercise
There are those left in Washington, though
the number is few, 10 whose memories still
lives what is here recalled and who could
attest It's reality; an honOred few, who know
that the subject Of this imperfect obituary
lived universally respected, houored. and be-
loved in this city al d vicinity, from the bar
menious union in her chara ier OF virtues the
most sterling with manners the most Winning.
The remembrance of both will be precious to
many more, who, not knowiog her IN lite,
will Notwithstanding have caught the tradi-
ton of her WORTH and love - think Of 1t IN
moments when the heart is sOftened and
lifted up by dwelling on female excellence.
She died, in csimuess, as she lived, in the
belief of better world and humble hope
Of passing to its realms. ITO live IN hearts
we loved is not to de- Nat. Int.
OF lingering Illness on the 10Th ult., at
Lagrange the residence Of Mrs. Ann /. Stone
street, near Port Tobacco, Mrs GWlNNETIE
STONESTREET, wife OF Harris Stoues'rpet
ESQ aud daughter Of the late Mr.. Nathan liar
RS, OF Charles county, Md in the oath year OF
her