Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-08-03
mE TIRE WIDOWS.

Il In an old saying, Whom nrst We
love ve never we'd" and this, though
not strictly true, may be applied to By
ron. Scott, George w Washington and many
Cher men of note. jefferson, the author
of the Declaration Of Independence, was
aubiect to early disappointment. his
AM love was Virginia maiden OF re-
putsble family, named Rebecca Barweii.
The iatter. however, preferred . young
man named Robinson; and Jefferson,
Hke moet sensitive youths, keenly felt
~ loea of one whom he most tenderly
loved. He afterwards married Martha
6bsltou. an attractive widow OF twenty
two. and the union proved one Of rare
happinees. II lasted, however, only ton
vears. AT the end of which Jefferson was
lsft a vidover with two daughters, four
others having died IN early cnlidnood.
OF these daughters Maria married john
w. Epps, while Martha became the wire
Of Thomas Randolph. The latter thus
describes the care which her fatner Do
slowed on his dying wife:
"F0r four months, during wnicn sne
fingered, he was never out OF her call.
A moment bsfore the clo6ing scene ne
vas led from the room In fainting con-
dition by his sister, and was 30 overcome
that Il was feared he would not recover.
he kept his bed three weeks after the
funeral, and required my constant at
tention."
JeRersou was evidently man Of great
tenderness, and after his death there was
found In his drawer lock OF hair from
eaoh of his dead children. which he kept
- sacred memorials. Though only ~
whom he lost his wife, he never married
again, and remained forty-four years
Warrington and franklin both mar
risd widows. The former fell IN love
With Martha Gusts at first sight, and.
having been disappointed IN bis expec-
tatien Of the hand Of Mary Morris. he
urged his suit until It was succeasfui.
He adopted his wife's children. and bis
married life was one Of unbroken har-
m0ny. :,
Frsnkliu's case was rather peculiar.
During his early life in Philadelphia he
peid attention TO Miss Read, but soon
sftervard vent 70 London, where he re-
manned several years. During the sep
sretion he neglected Miss Read In a
manner which he himself afterward con-
demnsd, On his return he found that
che had married, bat her husband. who
had proved worthless, had gone on a
voy age and was supposed 70 be dead.
Frauklin's early love returned, and, be-
inQ reinforced BY sympathy, he asked
her forgiveness and q renewal OF her
affections, which was readily granted. .
Jefferson was married Of the ace OF
q, Washington at "a, and Franklin at
n. The latter said Of his wife:
I'VE prospered together and II was
our mutual study 70 render each other
happy. Thus ] corrected a. well a.
could the error Of my youth"
This union continued for nearly forty
years, and, though Franklin was the
survivor, be remained widower. They
ass buried side BY side in tho old Phila-
dslphia cemetery, and q huge slab which
covers both graves bears the simplest in
soription franklin could devise.
While speaking on this subject It may
b added that American statesmen have
generally been married men, and the
Presidential chair has never but once
besn occupied by bachelor. II Il said
that Buchanan, like Irving. was disap-
pointed In his early love, and, II 20, IL
Affords . pardonable reason for bis o.
ubacy. Another bachelor politician of
some note vas the late Preston King,
formerly U. 8. Senator and also collector
Of customs. To these instances may be
added that Of Samuel ]. Tilden.