Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-12-19
GEORGE wAsElNGToN's FIRST LOVE.

On the banks of the Harlem River, a
little below the High Bridge of the Gro
ton Aqueduct, stands solid, yet impos-
ing mansion, remarkable for it's age and
the historic associations which cluster
around its venerable walls.
Under its hospitable roof the great
Washington found social pleasures and
bountiful entertainment more than a
hundred years ago; later, as the head
Of the American armies, he gathered
his staff around him here and directed
the movements Of the patriot soldiery.
The great American millionaire, John
Jacob Astor, subsequently possessed it,
succeeded in time by Aaron Burr and
Madame Jumel, and more recently it
has been the object for which rival clai-
mants fought, and the legal warfare has
been as holly contested as the more san
culinary conflicts carried on around it
ny contending warriors nearly a cen
fury ago.
That, however, which imparts the
chief interests to this ..ncient residence,
is the fact that it was once the abode of
Mary Phillips, the beauteous damsel to
whom the unromantic Washington lost
his heart
History records how the daughter of
the great Napoleon's landlady rejected
the suit of the unknown lieutenant, and
thus failed to become Empress of
France; how the French peasants girl re-
fused Bernadotte, and thereby lost the
crown of Sweden; and how New Jer-
sey girl, jilting the penniless wanderer
from, France, failed to enjoy imperial
honor as the wife Of the Emperor Louis
Napoleon, We now propose to tell
how Mary Phillips, by rejecting George
Washington, lost the exalted station
which Martha w ashington so honorably
filled. ;y.;,
Washington, accompanied by two aides
de-camp, left his residence at Mount
Vernon, on horseback on journey to
Boston, to confer with General Shirley
concerning some military matters. !,
On reaching New York, he called at
the house Of Beverly Robinson, an old
army friend, who had served with him
under Braddock. Colonel Robinson,
wishing TO make the visit pleasant to
his guest, had invited few friends to
add the social attraction of his home
Among those invited was Mary Phillips,
sister of Mrs: Robinson. She was
then about eighteen years Of age,
bewitchingly beautiful, with form of
rare grace and perfection, brilliant &C
complishments, and lively and vivacious
disposition She was likewise an
heiress
The young Virginia Colonel, fresh
from the rural society of Mount Vernon
and the tot of the backwoods campai-
On, was Immediately charmed by this
witching vision of loneliness and giety.
Turning away from every other attrac
ton, he spent much of bis time in her
society, and the walks, talks, and rides
in which they INDUCED brought upon
them the raillery of their associates. In
this way the few days that Washington
had intended to remain passed, but still
he fingered, chained by the magic spell
of the fair. charmer. -.
1t was the first time in the history of
his nature life that the sly Cupid had
hurled his dart at the young Colonel,
and the arrow had sunken deep into his
heart ~ i M. "a. d i
Days went by almost unnoticed, until
week had been wasted in these en-
Payments, and the. infatuated man was
forced TO tear himself away and proceed
to Boston. yl.. u .xsr, 49,,
They parted with an engagement on
hisipart to call again on, bis, return, and
it Is hardy necessary to say that ho was
true to the promise