Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1884-04-17
Washington 8 Mother.
gER GRAVE NEGLECTED AND FoRGoTToS-
THE OLD KENMORE HOME.
From Fredericksburg Letter.


the OLD KENMORE HOME.
From FredcricksburE Letter
Congressman Wise, of Virginis, may
not possibly gather in much fame from
his Dsnville massacre or his bloodless
duel with Page Mccarthy, but by call
ing the attention OF Congress to the
neglected remains of Washington's
mother, he may associate his name
with old and highly esteemed memories.
Washington's father, named Augustine,
with Mary. his wife, settled originally
in the county of Westmorland, on the
other bank of the river, a few miles be-
low the present Fredericksburg. moving
later to site nearly opposite the loca'
ton of the town. II was to this new
. home George was brought when about
six years old. The lad figures in legsn.
dsry local lore a. having thrown 3 stone
across the Rappahannock at an incredi'
bly, early age. The fond parent who
had enticed George into the paths of
truth never cut 3 conspicuous 6gure
and died young, leaving the care OF the
boy to his wife. This was about all he
did leave, except a coonskin cap and a
mortgage on the farm.
Mrs. Washington, or Mother Wash.
ington, as the natives call her, then
abandoned the old place and passed the
days Of her widowhood in q small one
story and attic frame that is still stand.
ing on one Of the principal streets, just
before you reach the outskirts-a bat
tered and shaky concern, with band
box kitchen attachment, in which two
chickens could hardly be cooked with
eut crowdlng the accommodations. Ad.
ditions have since been made 10 the
or gin Il house, but the old shanty itself
in all its primitive quaintness, is nov
occupied by Mr. Moon and his family,
watchmsker of the town, while the
corner room, where Mother Washington
died, is now the armament from which
Mr.. Moon sheds her mild domestic
light.
About two hundred yards to the
south of her old rookery stands the
most interesting house OF the neighboT-
hood and il explains the residence of
Mother Washington on the south side
of the river alter her husbands death.
She had. among other treasures, daugh-
ter Elizabeth, letter known as Betty,
on whom Col. Fielding Lewis dropped
his sdorIng and practical gaze. The
Colonel was an English gentleman, of
culture and family and barringAn inher
tied tendency to consumption, which
shelved him before many years, seems
20 have been a most desirable cavalier
Of the old school. He dreT his English
gold. imported English architects and
bricks and built the substantial man.
sion which is nov the home Of Mr.
william Key Haword, Of Baltimore and
10 still known as Kenmore House. Its
walls and drives are "a lonely as ever
aud spacious hall and it's dining room
elegant and impressive.
-Wsshington's mothers grave between
her old home and Kenmore House is
surmounted by a pedestal. without an
inscription and surrounded by rank
weeds. just at its feet lies postra,e
shaft of undressed marble, about two
feet in length, meant for the capital
of the monument. The storms Of many
years have swept over it, and sunshine
OF many summers have rested their
hopeful rays upon its surface, but no in
auence in Virginia has been found
strong enough to raise it from its deera.
ded resting place and place it on the
orphaned base. The ground are still un.
kept, overrun with weeds and thislles. |
surrounded, with a cheap wire fencing
and furnished, for the benefit Of visitors |
with q tumblei. 10 vu wooden siile.