Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1886-02-21
THE MOTHER OF WASHINGTON.
The Woman Who Gave a Great Son ia
the World.

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
uro.
Enough is known to support the supposi-
ton that from her he inherited his strongest
mental qualities and splendid physique.
After hs 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 a well to-
do Virginia planter. She was born in 1906.
was carefully brought up and religiously
trained On March q, 1879, 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 Westmoreland 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 3
one-storied frame house with a steep roof
four large rooms, and an entrance hail
Of old-fashioned width. At each end
of the house on the outside was an enormous
chimney. 1t was situated on an eiuinence
about half mile from the Potomac river,
commanding a view Of the Maryland shore
for miles.
Here, on Feb. p. 1852, George, the first
child of Mary and Augustine Washington,
was born Six children were even uaiiy
born to them. They were named re,pec-
lively, George, Betty (afterward Mrs. Lewis.
Samuel John Augustine, Charles and Mil
drod The last named died in infancy. The
three sons inherited separate Plantations in
Virginia from their father, and there lived
and died.
Wien George was years Old the Na$n-
ingtons removed to large rllniation Of
farm OF the Rappahanrock river, e7posi;.
Fredericksburg.
The Washingtcns owned many slaves, ami
the sp inning wheel and loom and sewing
room required constant care from Mrs.
Washington 1t was n religious household
Both Mr. and Mrs Washington were members
of the Episcopal church. and family prayers.
at which all the servants were present vera
the RUE of the house
The mo. her was a serious. earnest person,
whose reproofs to her children were often
made in scriptural language. Honor thy
father and mother was a 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 a widow when George vas
but II years old She vas the guardian OF
her stepchiidren as well as her OWE. ia;rds.-
I'd with the revenues OF their property until
they severally came of age, q trust she con-
scientiously fulfilled
She ruled kindly but firmly, exac'ing
Difference as well as obedience and this, it
ID said, her children willingly paid to the
day of her death She was dignifed to the
poin. Of being severely stately. From her,
DOUBTLESS, Gen Washington inherited the
aws.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 familiarly put his hand
on Washington 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 he 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 n military career, and who
bequeathed TO him Noun, Vernon Wbea
he was hut "a years Old midshiT man :
position on g British man-of-war could have
been secured for him but his mother re.us d
her consent This little incident doubtless
saved i'm from otscurity. Later she cheer
fully assen;ed 10 his departure 10 the French
and Indian war, and from that time on be
only saw Ter on occasional visits
Before starting north to assume command
Washington visited his mother. AMI duTi :
his absence wrote hsr repeatedly. Nh u
she heard him exirava-an;iy TrlIsei she az
swerrd that Providence orierei all thing
or said simply hat he hal been a good sou siti
she believed he had done his .uty a. ;ssau
should She did not see him for sixyssrs.
After the surrender of Cornwalis az York
town. Washington visited Ter attended ~
his staff TIE people Of FreieTics sbarg gave
ball in his honor. which was ATTENDED by
The most distinguished cf.iocr= AID cit-z-nS
That vss he only occasion ben 8irs
Washington appeared II ruhiie Tlth her
sen She was then over -. and received
more coartly attention ttsa1 ans other fEfiTs
present. her iiustriors Soa Dot e1c-nteL
She is described - the p.ct=re = hsauiif'.I
simplicity moving amon- the dszz. M
;hroaC dressed IN the sppruurt2te s,u;sl=
Of a Virginia rsa;rou OF the o.ien iirae
The Marquis de Lafayette VISITED Frei
ericksburg especially to bid GrS Washing
ton Sood-h by lie found her in a ho1sss7EE
dress and sunboEue1. working in hsr Esnls-i
All. Marquis she said You 50 an Cd
woman; ba. cone, can make you We co,ns
to my poor dwelling visEozf the F2-zlie q
changing my dress
When Washington WIS e.ectsd Tres1ls1t
he paid her a farewell visit Tbs xas tie
year Of her death Both felt that the part
ing was ;he las. in this world shs EAs then
fast tourneyinS to the life bsyoni- having Cox
years been afflicted By q cancer, kesPin- k-r
.iirneus s>crs. as long A. il vas p-ossitts 70
do 90 Shs did OF AES. s. i7s', In se.
eSi year Her grave ~as unmarried evez
by hsad ssone, TIL the the year ISIS. Eh.a
President Jackson laid tie corner s,ors Ok =
monursnt 70 her memory. A colossal Be-.
of WashinSsoa ~as TO a9orn the SHAFT All
that surucuntsd by the American eagle SUI
tanning q CIVIC crown above The Ser1s
bad his vzs 20 be is iascripsso5s
sNary. the mother Of Wazhinxt,1 Bu..
alaA The PEDESTAL d moss covered a.d CT
nnisAsd and Tia nArbis from which lie
shan ~ 70 have ben mAis lis hes&se Is
mhafne % dsay. Ths soooczpanysnz
uae4ur~ Aravn 6v W q Hassrd a TrrS-