The Wilmingtonian., 1886-02-20

calm wisdom which dis iso.
tinguished the character of Washington. 1t
is majestic, ennobled grand.
THE MOTHER OF WASHINGTON.
The Woman Who Gave a Great Son to
the World.
Mary Washington lived in an age when
the mothers of great men and women were
not such objects of interest to the world as
they are now But little was thought in the
then new country of the mothers share in
producing and developing an immortal fig
ure.
Enough is known TO support the supposi-
tion that from her he inherited his strongest
mental qualities and splendid physique
After he became the military hero of his
country everything per tanning to his pa
ternal ancestry was gathered and treasured
with jealous care, but no one thought of the
maternal genealogy.
Mary Ball was the daughter Of wellto
do Virginia planter. She was born in 1TO6,
was carefully brought up and religiously
trained On March q, 1880 at the age of "a,
she became the second wife of Augustine
Washington friend and neighbor of her
father. The wedding was celebrated with the
old time generous hospitality of Virginia
The Washingtons were planters of con-
siderable means in Westmoreand county.
Mary Washington found herself the step
mother of several children and the mistress
of one of the most comfortable homes that
section of the country afforded. 1t was a
one-storied frame house with steep roof,
four large rooms, and an entrance hall
Of old-fashioned width. At each end
of the house on the outside was an enormous
chimney. 1t was situated on an eminence
about half mile from the Potomac river,
commanding view of the Maryland shore
for miles.
Here, on Feb. 22, 1852, George the first
child of Mary and Augustine Washington,
was born. Six children were eventually
born to them. They were named, respec-
lively, George, Betty tafterward Mrs Lewis,
Samuel, John Augustine, Charles and Mil
dred, The last-named lied in infancy. The
three sons inherited separate plantations in
Virginia from their father, and there lived
and died.
When George was years old the Wash
ingtons removed to a large plantation or
farm on the Rappahannock river opposite
Fredericksburg
The Washingtons owned many slaves, tnd
the spinning wheel and loom and sewing
room required constant care from Mrs.
Washington 1t was religious household
Both Mr. and Mrs Washington were members
of the Episcopal church, and family prayers,
at which all the servants were present, were
the rue of the house
The mother was a serious, earnest person,
whose reproofs to her children were often
made in scriptural language. Honor thy
father and MOTHER was command so thor
oughly instilled into their young minds that
they were as obedient and reverent in their
later as in their earlier years. Mrs Wash
ington was left widow when George was
but II years old. She was tho guardian of
her stepchildren as well as her own, intrust-
cd with the revenues Of their property until
they severally came Of age, trust she con-
scientiously fulfilled
She ruled kindly but firmly, exacting
Difference as well as obedience, and this it
is said, her children willingly paid to the
day of her death, She was dignifled to the
point of being severely stately. From her,
doubtless, Gen Washington inherited the
awe.inspiring manner he was said to pos
sess. There is an old story describing the
discontinue of man, an official of high
rank, too who once famiiarly put his hand
on Washingtons shoulder He said he
wouldn't do it again to save his own life.
That mother and son were much alike in
character, appearance and conduct, there
can be no doubt Both were lacking in
humor and imagination; both were silent,
reserved, self-contained and serious.
George frequently spent his holidays at
Mount Vernon with his brother Lawrence,
who was largely responsible for putting him
in the way of military career, and who
bequeathed to him Mount Vernon. When
ba hut Al mid ulf f,ff,o ,of,'e
position on a British man-of-war could have
been secured for him, but his mother refused
her consent This little incident doubtless
saved him from obscurity. Later she cheer
fully assented to his departure to the French
and Indian war, and from that time on he
only saw her on occasional visits.
Before starting north to assume command
Washington visited his mother, and during
his absence wrote her repeatedly. When
she heard him extravagantly praised she an
swered that Providence ordered ell things;
or said simply that he had been good son and
she believed he had done his duty as man
should. She did not see him for six years
After the surrender of Cornwallis at York
town, Washington visited her attended by
his staff. The people of Fredericksburg gave
ball in his honor which was attended by
the most distinguished officers and citizens
That was the only occasion when Mrs
Wasl lgton appeared in public with hel
son. She was then over 70 and received
more courtly attention than any other figure
present, her illustrious son not excepted
She is described as ''the picture of beautifu
simplicity moving among the dazzling
throng dressed in the appropriate costume
of Virginia matron of the olden time.n
The Marquis de Lafayette visited Fred
II. 4.
ton good-by. He found her in homespuI
dress and sunbonnet, working in her garden
"Ah, Marquis" she said, ''you see an ole
woman; but come, can make you welcom,
to my poor dwelling without the parade o
changing my dress"
When Washington was elected presden
he paid her a farewell visit This was tht
year Of her death. Both felt that the part
ing was the last in this world. She was theI
fast journeying to the life beyond, having fo
years been afflicted by cancer, keeping he
ailment secret as long as it was possible Il
do so. She died on Aug. 25, 1889, in hei
SD year. Her grave was unmarked, ever
by head stone, till the the year 1898, whel
/ President Jackson laid the corner stone of ,
| monument to her memory. A colossal bus
of Washington was TO adorn the shaft, anC
that surmountel by The American eagle sus
tanning a civic crown above the hero
head This was TO be its inscription
Mary, the mother of Washington But
alas, the pedestal is moss covered and un
| finished, and the marble from which the
shaft was to have been made lies beside 4
crumbling to decay The accompanying
4 picture, drawn by W. O. Hazard, of Fred
ericksburg, gives faithful transcript of it
appearance.
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-, ,s0,s 217, 2, .ssAMd4.
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