Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1873-08-30
The CustiS Family.

Had he been born poor he would
probably have attained great distnc-
ton in some of the learned profess
sions. He was high-spirited,
sociable trhd"patriotic gentleman, a
devoted lover of the National Union,
and firm supporter Of the Govern
ment. For the character of Washing
ton, of whom he was an adopted son,
he ever cherished the most profound
veneration.
Mr.. Custis, in addition to his being
the grandson of Mrs. Washington,
was a descendant of the celebrated
Lord Baltimore, under whose auspi-
ces the State of Maryland was col
nized, and the first formal cdict of
universal religious toleration adopted
and promulgated. The maiden name
of this lady was Calvert. After the
decease of her first husband she mar
ried DR., David Stuart, by whom she
had a numerous progeny. Many OF
her defendants Of the Stuart name,
and under other names, also, are yet
surviving in Virginia and eIsewhere.
The second marriage Of Mrs. Gusts
took place during the trying days Of
the Revolutionary struggle, and those
who still choose to look into the
matter more deeply will find among
the letters Of Gcucral Washington,
published under the supervision Of
Mr., Sparks, a highly interesting cor
respondence relative to this same
marriage. Dr. Stuart was the person
who first called Gon. Washington $
attention to the famous Mazzci letter.
written by Mr., Jefferson, avery inter
esting account cl which Will he found
in the Life Of Washington," by
Chief Justice John Marsholl As this
DR.. Stuart was the eldest brother of
my own veneratcI mother, it nav
become ne to cay nothing special here
in commentator of his ability, his
remarkable learning, and the virtues
which adorned his character.
Mr.. Gusts had three sisters and no
brother. OF these three sisters one
married Mr.. Lawrence Lewis, Of Fair
fax county, in the State of Virginia.
Him | remember we'll, and ! entirely
concur with those who supposed him
to exhibit most remarkable likeness
in person to General Washington,
whose nephew he WAS; at )ea"t lie was
so much like the best pictures Of
Washington that he might be well
supposed by onc wlc did not know
otherwise to have actually set for
them. A second Of the Miss Custises
married Il Mr. John Law, 4 brother
of Lord Peterborough, Of England.
Mr.. Law hal spent the early portion
of his life in the East Indies. lie is
reported to have been a man Of much
learning and Of great astuteness, but
must have been also very eccentric in
his temper and habits Of life. 1t is
stated of Linn that his mind was in
general SO deeply occupied with mat
ters OF an abstract characteri that he
became occasionally cbliyious OF oidia
nary coDcernS, including his own
name, and that having called one day
at the postof|ce for letters, one Of the
clerks there, who did not know him,
inquired his name, upon which h.
became painfully embarrassed
"Name' name he said. and not
being able to give the desired inlor
nation on the subject, he eundenly
turned from the postotlice window and
moved rapidly toward his home, fol
the purpose of there refreshing his
memory, when, meeting some ac'
quaintante who said to him, GOOD
morning, Mr. Law he at once ex'
claimed, "Ah, that is the name, and
went back quickly to the postotlice to
get possession of his letters there re-
maining.
Mrs. Peters knew for many years
She must have been exceedingly
handsome in early life. When | last
saw her, in 1851, she was noble
looking person, full Of life aud intelli.
gence. 1t was to her that one Of the
most beautiful and Interesting letters
ever written by Washington was
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