Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1871-01-28

Then made careful note Of bis replies for fi.
ture reference end comparison. His statements
In brief, were, that bh father was an English.
man, his mother an African, and a slave
whom lis father bought and made free and
married, ly whom he bad sixteen ehildten-
himself the eldest and darkest that when
twelve years Of age Washington passed bis
mothers door at the head of his army. md
begged that she would give him GEonoR. 10 be
company for Timothy, u lad two years Older.
then aservant to the General His mother de.
! cllncd, giving os reason, that be was too
young The following year, the General pass.
ed oat woy again. and renewed his appllca-
uon' when his mother coDsented, and for two
years following, his home was In the camp Of
Gen. Washington, with Timothy for his com.
panioD, whom he assisted TO black boots
groom horses, &c. At the close of the war
then fifteen years old-he getutRed 10 bis
mother, which being in 1881, would make him
lO5 years old, which IL, doubtless, very near.
II not his exact age. In reply to all questions
regarding his family history and his conncc.
uon WIN his revered master, he spoke with
ready nuency and warm earnestness. as
though he believed whereof he affirmed and
expected his listeners to believe also but in
regard to his age, he would hesitate and
seem less confident. Nor is this at all surpris
ing, when we consider how few of the colored
race at the South, are taught, or pretend TO
know their own age. GEORGE was an old
man-almgst an eotogenarian-when we un.
dertcok to trace out his eventrul history and
harh0nlzc his statements with the published
history OF the time hc then accepted our
reckoning as correct, but as he advanced in
years his memory failed him, and dates be-
came confused and mixed in his mind. Bv n
careful com parisOn Of his statements with
American history, some seeming discrepancies
could be deteQied but these were few and un
Important and spirit of charity and candor
would suggest that these involved only
question of memory-not of veracity. But we
40 not propose an elaborate argument to
prove what no one has presumed to deny, nor
do we believe that of all those who have
known UNCLE GEORGE intimately for the past
twenty to forty years, there is one pseparsd 10
write him down an impoSter, or doubt that he
spent some portion of his life in the camp and
on the march with the great hero of the Rev.
olution
As we shall never look upon his like apap,
or!et description of his person and promi
heHt rails may interest some who were never
favored with his personal acquaintance. In
person, lie was sonewhat under medium
size, fSrshead high, broad, Intellectual; eyes
mild, intelligent, and erpressiUs his smile was
pleasant, genial and winning as an equestrian,
it may be doubted if his great master ever an
peared upon his charger, in battle front, with
more ease, elegance and commanding dignity,
than UNCLE GEORGE at four score years when
he would mount his favorite Dolly, and start
from Austinbury, en- his aGpual circuit to visit
friends in Dorset, Connenut KeloggsyiIle
kingsville, Ashtabula, &c After Swinging
around the circle" for u couple of weeks he
would report at head quarters, and his ohser-
valons would be as amusing as his garulity
was S1t0thertRg. Ever true firm and ardent in
his attachment to friends, yet, where he took
decided aversion, he could be also feryeut,
cordial hafer; in illustration Of which, many
amusing anecdotes might be related, were it
expedient, but in justice 10 his memory be it
said, we never knew him offer to harm any
human being, in latter years, he found yalu.
able friends in the Misses CowLEs, of Austin
ourg, whose generous sympathes were ever
extended to the unfortunate of his race. BE
accepted their kindly proffer of a home and
use OF gardcn spot, and for sometime sup.
ported himself by his skill spd industry in
raising vegetables. But Time was beginning
10 tell upon bis once vigorous constitution and
he returned to the lnfirmary, where he had
once before found comfortable home, and
where he was looked upon by his companions
III misfortune, ~ the venerable Patriarch OF
the Institution, all of whom did him rever-
ence and not one Of whom dare give him a
dsrespect!ul or unkind word As he had sci.
dom indulged in any excesses, and led iem.
perate life, he had contracted no disease, SO
Father Time, with his remorseless scythe, was
LEFT to do the work. But thanks to merciful
Heaven and the humanity of the age, UNCLE
GEORGE was not lelt to suffer neglected, but
received from his comrades and mess mates all !
the aid andsymputhy that unweared kindness
could bestow. As the lamp of lie burned
dim, and the oil that fed the vital fame was
fast being exhausted, he Yielded
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
Arou nd him and lies down to pleasant dreams" |
\ NO more hard work for poor UNCLE GEORGE
lie has followed his 9ojd mastSr home" l. s.
THE FEMALE MINsTRELs.-UniOn Hall was
well filled last evening to witness the perform
ance of Madame Rentzs Female Minstrels.
The performance was very good througout, 4
the programme lcw, and every body seemed
10 be well pleased. The dancing, especially,
was excellent. They deserve full houses
wherever they go-Jackson, IMch, Daily CHI
zen, January 1911, 1871.
Ashtabula lWarlxet-Janpary 26, dsp.
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