The Placer herald., 1860-01-28

borhood The traditions are that she was
not remarkable for amenities of character
but rather for method and order, strict house
hold government and decision of purl ose
10 these characteristics her son was doubt.
less indebted for his admirable system in all
lis pursuits, and for his inAexible endurance
and determination. 1t is generally under
stood that she did not sympathze in his re-
volutionary ideas, thinking that he would
have done much better to have attended to
his surveying than to be pttng himself
against the venerated and al-powerful mo-
ther country.
MRS. wAsHINGToN's WILL.
Among the most interesting relics of the
old lady is her will, which she filed in the
archives of the court at fredericksburg. The
worthy clerk of the court, John J. Chew,
favored me with the sight of the original
document, as well as with copy of it. The
signature, MARY Washington" is in large,
bold, and somewhat masculine hand. As |
believe the will has never been published, it
may not be amiss, as an interesting relic. to
give it a place in the columns of the Presbv
terian. 1t will be observed that, with the ex.
cepton Of the lands on Aceokeek run. Wash
ington did not inherit great deal from his
maternal ancestor. give the spelling as in
the original, though probably this is the
scriviner's:
ain the name of God, amen. Mary
Washington, of Fredericksburg, in the coun,
ty of Spotsy ylvania, being in good health,
but calling to mind the uncertainty of this
life, and willing to dispose of what remains
Of my'wordly estate, do make and publish
this my last will, recommending my soul
into the hands of my Creator, hoping for a
remission of all my sins, through the merits
and mediation of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of
mankind. l dispose of all my worldly estate
as follows:
"Zmprianis, give my son, General George
in the county of Stafford, and also my negro
boy George, to him and hi- heirs forever;
also my best bed, bead:tead and Virginia
cloth curtains, (the same that stands in my
best roo,n,) my quilted blue and white quilt,
and my best dressing glass
Item. | give and devise to my son
Charles Washington, my negro man Tom,
to him and his heirs forever.
Item. | give and devise to my daughter,
Betty Lewis, my phantom and my hey horse
Item. | give and devise to my daughter
in-law, Hannah Washington, my purple
cIoah cloak lined with shag.
"ltem. give and devise to my grandson,
Corbin Washington, my negro wench, Ola
Bet, my riding chair and two blk. horses
to him and his assigns forever
Item. | give and devise to my grandson,
Fielding Lewis my negro man Frederick to
him and bis assigns forever; also, eight silver
table spoons, half my crockery ware, and
the blue and white tea-rhina, walnut book
case, oval table, one bed, bedstead, one pr.
sheets, one pr blankets and white cotton
counterpaine. two table cloths, six red leather
chairs, half my pewter, one half Of my iron
kitchen furniture.
Item. give and devise to my grandson,
Lawrence Lewis, my negro wench, Lydia, to
him and his assigns forever
"Item. | give and devise to my grand
daughter, Betty Carter, my negro woman,
little Bet, and her future increase, to her and
her assigns forever, also my largest looking
glass, my walnut writing desk with drawers,
square dining table, one bed, bedstead,
bolster, one pillow, one blanket, and pr
sheets, white Virginia cloth counterpaine
and purple curtains. my red and white tea
china, ea-spoons, and the other half Of my
pewter, crockery ware, and the remainder
of my kitchen furniture.
"lten. | give to my grandson. George
Washington, my next best dressing glass, one
bed, bedstead, bolster, one pillow, one pr,
sheets, one blanket and one counterpaine
Item. | devise all my wearing apparel
to be equally divided between my grand
daughters, Betty Carter, Fanny Ball and
MiIly Washington; but should my daughter
Betty Lewis, fancy any one two or three
articles, she is to have them before division
thereof
"Lastly-I nominate and appoint my said
son, General George Washington, executor
of this, my will, and as | owe few or no
debts, | direct my executor to give no secu-
rity, nor to appraise my estate; but desire
the same may be allotted to my Gevsees,
with as little trouble and delay AS may be,
desiring their acceptance thereof as all the
token | now have to give them of my love
for them.
"In witness whereof have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this goth day of May,
1888.
"MARY WASHINGTON
!: .'::..' SEAL.
'Signed, sealed, ana.'dbished in our pres
ence, and signed by us in the presence Of the
said Mary Washington, at her desire
JAMES MERCER,
"Witness JOSEPH WALKER,
JOHN FERNEyHoUGH"
STATUE OF WASHINGTON.
The Masons of Fredericksburg, Of whose
fraternity Washington became member
have recently commemorated that fact by
procurinU from the chisel of Powers q ful1