The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1869-12-25
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UashingtOn's WedCling---An I1tte-
resting Sketch.


II is now some years since visited II venerable
edtce intimately connected with the life of a
great mar-old ST. Peters Church, in New Kent
county, Virginia, where Washington was mar
red
Lei us leave for moment the hustle, turmoil
and rush of the Iron Age, and 90 back to The
last century when life was more deliberate, solid
and picturesque. The old church of which
speak takes you easily back, as you gaze at il ;
aud there is the added interest of its association
with the nuptials OF Washington.
Old ST. Peters was built as far back as the
year 1903, and is a long, low building, of sun
dried brick, brought over from England, as was
then the habit, with steep roof, and walls en-
Drowned by age. square tower rises above the
veslibule on II level with the ground, and in this
tower is the vestry room, to which you ascend
by Il lofty fight of ancient ard creaking steps,
Growing the tower is sort ofsteepe, surmount-
ed by crossed iods, bearing the letters IN. S. E.
w and on the summit of all is a small portion
OF an old wcather-cock, which probably veered
in the winds of the last century.
The surroundings of the time-honored edifce
are as antique as the building, which stands on
its wooded knoll, with the sturdy air of a veteran
careless of time and tide On the bricks are
carved names and dates by hands that have long
crumbled. One OF these dates is 1879. On a
ed up for some reason, is coat-of-arms, raised
in bass .reliefa shield with lone star upon it ;
above, knights wizard, with the coronet-of a
duke or marquis pparently-encircling il; and
surmounting all, the grinning head of a wolf
Ga this stone, dark and durable as was the mar
BILE of that epoch, is cut the date '17l6.' Not a
tracery has grown dim, not letter or figure is
indistinct. The VOLTS tongue lolls out fercely !;
his eyes glare his teeth snarl. The rain and
snow and sunshine have fallen for a century and
half on the knightly helmet and the head of the
wol-and neither rain, snow, or sunshine, has
affected the iron surface.
The objects take you back to a remote period,
very unlike the present, when buildings tomb
stones, and all other things, seem constructed of
transient materials. Another memorial of old
times is the grove of great oaks around the church.
What picturesque scenes these must have witness
ed Beneath their spreading boughs, generation
after generation, rolled the chariot of old-time
virginians, drawn by their four horses, and con-
tainlng the squire, his wife, and maidens and
children, attending church. To these boughs
were tethered the brides of thoroughbred horses
ridden by gallant youths. Yonder the chariots
discharge their burdens-the pompous old lord
of the manor, the good dame, his wife, and
the little beauty, their daughter, in her great
hooped dress, square bodice, powdered hair, and
red heeled shoes, which she display as she raises
her silk dress and scarlet 'petticoat, as they call
ed it then You may see her still, in imagina.
ton, as she smiles and mods, Staying, with heI
bright eyes. the youths with embroidered coats
long waistcoats, and ruffles, who hasten to as
sist her. and contend for the touch of the small
hand
All that has passed away the youths ant
maideus are long dead The parson no mort
sweeps down the vestry stairs, or thunders, Of
drones in his high, tub-shaped pulpit above th'
listeners in the lofty pews. Squire and dame ant
parson aud gallant lover and little beauty liy,
alone in the memory of the great oaks, which
waved above them, wave still, and will probably
rustic their leaves in the winds of another centu
ry.
Such is and was old st. Peters Church-an in
teresting relic, to-day, ola time that is long
dead interesting, more than all, as | have said
as having been the scene Of Washington's wed
ding.
The incident which led to that event is wortl
narratng, and is something of comedy. hop
in relating it, shall not be charged with 'irrev
erence' to The memory of the famous bridegroom
He was man of lofty pride, august dignity
very grand type of manhood. But he was man
no, demi-god, and fell in love- at least twic
in his life, like the humblest of his species.-
This was his second love, aud something of 70
nance was connected with the origin of the af
fair.
II was in the spring of 1853. Mr.. Custis,
planter, residing at his estate called the whit
House., WAS riding out one morning, when b.
met coming from the northward, young gen
tleman of military appearance, and excellent.
mounted, accompanied by a gaunt old servant
or sergeant, who rode respectfully few pace
behind his master The new conner was Colone
George Washington, on his way from Winches
ter to Williamsburg, and his attendant, Bishop
formerly Braddock' $ body servant, now his own
Washington was twenty-five at that time, AM
a ayoung man of great sedateness and dignity
He was in chief command on the frontier, an
saw or thought little of the fair sex. But, O.
this spring morning of l75s his time had come
Mr.. Custs greeted him, and invited him
stop at the White House He would do SO wit
pleasure, but it would be for half an hour only
His business was pressing he must hasten on t
see his Excelleucy at Williamsburg. And con
versing, they rode back, and reached the Whit
House. Here Washington dismounted, and de
livered bis horse TO Bishop, with orders to awal
him there be would continue his journey in ha
an hour. Bishop saluted gravely, with han
raised to his hat bis master entered the house
and the half hour passed-the old servant wal
ing patiently.
His master did not however make his appea