Smyrna times., 1879-09-24
ss. THOMAS PETER,
90 GFOpGE w y f,TrSTTs

"i'ncSS' GEORGE w. P. GUSTS.
A few months after this marriage Lawrence Lewis
who was settled on an estate some distance from
Mount Vernon, applied to Washington for portion
of the latter property To this application Washing
ton replied on September 20-less than three months
before his death-infOrming Lawrence that when he
adopted Nelly and her brother as his own children.
he determined to provide for them in his and that he
had done so. He told him that the expense at which
he (WashingtOn) lived, and the unproductiveness of
the Mount Vernon estate, would not allow him to
lessen his income while he remained in his present
situation. "On the contrary" he said.' were it
not for occasional supplies of money in payment for
lands sold within the last four or five years. to the
amount of upwards of S5000O should not be able to
support the former without involving myself in debt
and difficulties" As Nelly had expressed the wish of
both of them to settle near Monnt Vernon, Washing
ton frankly informed his nephew that in will which
he had made and then had by him, he had left them
1000 acres of the homestead estate besides another
farm. He also bequeathedto them by that will other
property, part of which was called Grays Heights,
land few better sites for house than Grays Hill and
that range he said are to be found in this country
or elsewhere" Little did the loving couple then
think they would so soon come into possession of
this valuable estate and lose SO good friend They
called their home "WOodlawn." and there they
reared children. One of these, a beautiful girl.
named Eleanor Agnes Friere, died at the age Of
fifteen years while at Madame GreNnds school. and
was buried in Bishop Whites vault Circumstances
indicate that her funeral took place at the house of
tne good BISHOP. where the maiden and her parents
were ever welcome guests Poulsons Daily Advertiser
(Philadephia), November l, 1920 contained the fol-
lowing obituary:
Died in Philadelphia, on Sunday, October 2s, 1920
aged 10 years, Miss +. A. Frere Lewis, daughter OF
Lawrence Lewis, Esq, of Woodlawn, Virginia
nephew of General Washington. Although cut of
in the midst of her youthful days. she had afforded
the fairest promise of future excellence She was a.
modest she was beautiful sensible dutifu gentle
and pious. All who knew her loved her: she never
wounded their feelings in word or deed. To hel
parents she was ever blessing never giving then
pain but by her suferings in long prOtracted i'll
ness and by the event which has translated her t
| another and q better world" Submissive to the
stroke that terminated her mortal existence she con
| templated the approaching change with calm an(
| piOuS resignation. How much it must SoOthe thu
afflicted hearts of these parents to reflect that thu
| happy state of mind she experienced i'll her las
hours may be considered the fruit of the religion
| principles and excellent sentiments early imbibeC
| from their instruction and example.
A granddaughter of Bishop White yet lvinj
| then child, was present at the funeral of th
daughter of Nelly Custis," and recalls to mind tn
picture of the sad but quiet grievng of the mothera
she stood beside the coffin if stunned by her grea
sorrow. 1t is evidence of how striking must hav
been the figure of Mrs. Lewis in all its beauty ant
sadness, to have powerfully impressed this child
twelve years as to make this picture in her memor
outlaSt all others of the surroundings that occa
| sion, and remains vivid recollection still.
After the death of Mrs. Lewis (she survived he
husband), and when the changes in the famil
cemetery at Mount Vernon were in progress, BiSho
Whites executors wrote to the family inQuirng WhG
were their wishes concerning the remains of tn
maiden, being prepared to send them to Virginia
any time. The reply came that Mrs. Lewis, befOr
her DEATH expressed an earnest wish that her daugi
ters remains should continue to rest with thos
OF Bishop White.-B. j. LOSING IN Philadelphia Time