New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-26

MRS. WASHINGTON FINCH SUFFERING FROM RE
VERSES OF FoRTUNE-HER RELATIONSHIP TO
THE GENERAL.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l
WASHINGTON, Aug. 25.-The traditional ingrati-
tude of republics could hardly be more pointedly
illustrated than 1t is by the misfortunes which
have fallen upon some of the living representatives
of the family of George Washington. The public is
aware of the fact that stress of circumstances last
Winter compelled one of the branches of this family
living in Virginia to part with relics OF the great
man which had descended to them as heirlooms,
and in the preservation OF which the
whole Nation felt an interest; and it is also
well known that the same Congress when
authorized the expenditure of quarter OF
million of the Nations treasure to place IN
everlasting cOmmemOratiOn the name OF wash
ington, also appropriated $4,000 to purchase
these relics, and thus relieve the necessities
Of an unlucky inhertOr OF an hOnOred name'
Mrs. Fanny Washington Finch, the great-grand-
niece of George Washington, and supposed to be the
nearest of living kin to the great man. has for sew
eral months been keeping clearinghouse in the
city which bears her family name. Even in this
humble calling the lady seems to have found small
favor with the tickle goddess, for within
a fortnight her furniture has been placed
under attachment, and is now held by
her landlord as security for arrears OF rent George
Washington had an elder brother named Augustine,
and Younger brother named John Augustine.
son Of Augustine Washington married his cousin
Jane. a daughter of John Augustine. and the issue
of this union was the father OF Mrs.
Finch. Augustine Washington also had
daughter named Elizabeth, who married Cen
eral Alexander Spottswood, a descendant OF
one Of Virginia's Governors in Colonial times and
a daughter born to them was the mother oil MIS-
Finch Thus the subject of this sketch traces her
ancestry through both her parents back to the fam
ily of the first President of the United States The
father of Mrs Finch died iu 1880. and his remains
are in the family vault of Mount Vernon, the casket
containing them being one of the eight which
lie beside those of George and Martha
Washington Mrs. Finch, who was born at Mount
Vernon passed her childhood at the family man
sion but on the death of her father she became an
inmate Of the family of her uncle, Colonel Geo. c.
Washington, then a member of Congress from
Maryland, resident in Georgetown She was one Of
family of thirteen children. of whom she
is the only survivor; She wa, was married
the Rev. Daniel Motzer, with whom several
wears of her life passed very happily. On the
death Of Mr.. Motzer his widow made her nome IN
Georgetown, but her means becoming exhausted
after several years OF widowhood, she was com
PEELED to accept position as clerk IN the Treas
nry Department Eighteen months later the
broke out and although her two brothers joined
the Union Army and subsequently, lost their
lives in consequence of wounds received in battle,
Mrs Motzer was suspected Of dislOyalty, and with
fourteen other ladies Of Virginia parentage IN the
same division, was removed by Secretary Boutwell,.
In 1870 Mrs. MOtzer was married to Mr.. hyron
Finch then, and until year since, holding posi-
ton i'm the naval branch of the New-York Gus
tom House. from which lac was removed by
Mr. Cornell Mr.. Finch, although a gentle
man of education and high cultivation,
If past the prime Of life and finds IL Impossible
i'm these hard times to get employment. Mrs Finch
is now more than fifty years Of age but remarkably
well preserved; her dark hair shows scarcely
trace of silyerng. while her pleasing form and
! face 0ive her the appearance of lady OF
forty She Is rather retiring In manner, but good
conyersatOnalist when in company with those with
whom she is on terms Of familiarity. Mrs Finch ill.,
herited many valuable relics Of George Washington
All of which we're on exhibition at the Centennial
Among the most valued of them are pieced bed
Quilt, made by her grandmOther out of material
from the wardrobe of Martha Washington, the sill
ycr christening bowl long in use In WashingtOn's
family and a snufi-bOX made of olive wood
from Mount 0livet brought by Lord Fairfax from
the Holy Land, and presented by him to General
Washington. Mrs. FnCh's circumstances have re-
Gently een made known 10 the President, and it is
expected he will find the Civil Service rules suf
foently elastic TO permit the reinstatement, either
of her husband or herself, into the positions from
which they were removed,