The Burlington weekly hawk-eye., 1862-06-28

Vyoh10gto0sD CoogeoA1p aAA Marriage
beautifully situated on the banks Of the Pa.
nunkey, Is the mansion known as the s.Me
Wat House" 1t stands on the site Of the one
In which Washington was married. From Cur
It's Life Of Mrs. Martha Washington, We ex-
tract tie account Of his courtship and marriage: |
twas IN 1758that " Washington attired in mil |
itary undress md attended BY . body servant, |
tall miitai,e as his chief, crossed the ferry CALI
ed William'sover the Pamunkey, . branch Of the |
York river. On the boat touching the south. |
ern or Kent side, the soldiers progress was
arrested by one Of those personages who give
the beau ideal Of the Virgins gentlemen Of the
old regime, the very soul of kindness and hos
pitality. 1t was in vain the soldier urged his
business ct Williamsburg, important communi-
layne, on whose domain the militaire had just
landed, would hear of no excuse. Col. Wash
ington was name and character 80 dear to all
virginians, that his passing by one Of the cas-
ties of Virginia without calling and partaking
of the inequalities Of the host, was entirely
out Of the question. The colonel however, did
not surrender at discretion but stoutly main
tained his ground till Chamberlayne, bringing
up his reserve, in the intimation that he would
introduce his friend to q young and charming
widow, then beneath his roof, the soldier CAP
itulated, on condition that he should dine-onlY
dine-and then by pressing his charger and
borrowing of the night, he would reach Will
ismsburg before his excellency could shake off
his morning slumbers. Orders we're according
ly issued to Bishop, the colonel's body servant
and faithful follower, who together with the
fine English charger had been bequeathed by
the dying Braddock to Major Washington, on
the famed and fated field of Alonongahela.-
Bishop bred in the school of European discip-
line, 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 Virginia domtcil OF the olden time
without guests?) aud above all, to the charming
widow. Tradition relates that they were mu-
tually 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 fascinating manners and splendid
ly endowed with worldly benefits. Thehero 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, even
ing came, with Bishop, true to his orders and
firm 81 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 single moment behind
his apuointments-for he was the most pune
tual 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 pro-
claiming that no visitor ever left his home at
sunset, mis- military guest was, without much
difficulty, persuaded to order Bishop to put up
the horse for the night. The sun rose high in
the heavens the ensuing day, when the enam-
cred soldier pressed with his spur his chargers
side and speeded on his way to the seat of gov
ernment were, having dispatched his public
business, 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 feast
and Washington the guest. And rare and high
was the revelry'at that palmy period Of Vir-
ginia's festal age; for many were gathered to
that marriage, Of the good, the great, the gifted
and they with joyous acclamations, hailed in
Virginla's youthful hero happy and prosper.
Gus bridegroom.
And SO yQp remember when Colonel Wash
ington came& courting of your young mistress!!'
said the bicgrapher to old Gully, in his hun
dredth year. 'Ay, master, that do replied
the ancient family servant, who had lived to
see five generations; great times sir, great
times-shall never see the like again! And
Washington looked something like a man, q
proper man-hey Cully?' Never seed the like
sir-never the like Of him, though have seen
many in my day-so tall, so straight! and then
ho cnfn md do c,,ch irf
All, sir he was like NO one else. Many of the
grsndest 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 century had not sufdced to
efTace it.
The precise date of the marriage the biog-
rapher has been unable to discover having in
vain searched among the records of the vestry
of st. Peter's church, New Kent, of which the
Rev. Mr.. Munson, . Cambridge scholar, was
the rector and performed the ceremony it is
believed, about 1853. A short time after their
marriage, Colonel and Mrs. Washington re-
moved to Mount Vernon, on the Potomac and
permanently settled there.
This union.' says Sparks, was in every re-
cpOos ACASAbOuS. IL COutluueU IOfIy years.
To her intimate acquaintances and to the nation
the character of Mrs. Washington was ever
theme Of praise. Affable and courteous, ex.
emplary in her department, remarkable fer her
deeds Of charity and pety; and
without vanity, she adorned by her domestic
virtues the sphere Of private life and filled with
dignity every station in which she was placed.
Previous to his acquaintance with Mrs. Custis,
Washington had been pleased with other ladies.
The author above quoted on this point says,
that in 1855, "while in New York, he was lodged
and kindly entertained at the house Of Mr.. Be-
verly Robinson, between whom and himself an
intimacy of friendship subsisted, which, indeed,
continued without change, till severed by their
opposite fortunes twenty years afterwards in the
revolution. It happened that Miss Mary Phil
lips, sister of Mrs. Robinson. and young lady
o. rare accomplishments, Was an inmate in the
family. The charms Of this lady made deep
Impression upon the heart of the Virginia Cole
nel He went to Boston, returned, and was
asa'a rscomed to the hospitality of Mr.. Robin.
son. DE fingered there till duty called him
eWsy oat he Vas careful to intruat hia aecret