The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-06-03
MOUNT VERNON ASSOCIATION.
Miss Cunning ham, of South Carolina
the Organizer of the Movement.

EDITOR PosT: In the Sunday Post recent
ly appeared an article In which IL was stated
that the Woman's Memorial Fund Associa-
tion of New York had decided that the typi
cal woman phianthrOpist OF this country Is
Mrs. Mary Hamilton Schuyler, "the organ
IZer OF the Mount Vernon Association" Per
NIT me 10 correct the grave historical error
contained in the concluding sentence quoted
and 10 claim for my native State the honor
which Is its due. TO Miss Ann Pamela Gun.
ningham, Il native OF Laurens county, S. g..
and member OF the distinguished family OF
that name, is entirely due the distinction oi
organizing the Mount Vernon Association.
and OF carrying this work TO 4 brilliant com.
pletlon. a woman OF rare ability. eloquent
and iorcible, she united those qualities OF
head aud heart which peculiarly fitted her
for this lifelong labor of love. To Miss Gun.
uingham's mother belongs the distinguished
honor OF having suggested the idea which her
daughter carried out with such devotion, en-.
ergy. and perseverance, that the ation was
saved from the great reprOach OF suffering
The home Of Washington 10 pass into the
hands of speculators and showmen, and
keeping 1t rs sacred shrine and mecca for
her countrymen. Miss Cunningham was un-
animously chosen the first regent OF the asso.
citation, and continued TO occupy that posi-
tion until short time before her death. She
appointed vice regents In every State in the
Union; and Miss Mary Morris Hamilton, the
granddaughter Of Alexander Hamilton (after.
wards Mrs. Schuvler) was made by her vice
regent and organizer OF the State Of New
York.
These facts are supported by the following
extracts from the "Reminiscences of cX-
Gov. Il. F.Perry, of South Carolina, an init
mate friend OF her faulty. OF Miss Cunning
hams mother, he says that "she heard witt with
horror that 1t Mount Vernon) was likely to
be sold to spectators, and urged her young
and highly-gifted daughter, Miss Pamela. u
write an article on the subject for the newspa.
pers." She did so, and entered into the pro.
Ject with all her mothers zeal, :enthusiasnl
and patriotism. This article was fortunate IN
attracting PUBLIC attention. 1t was signed
"a Southern Matron," and every one sup
posed IL was written by married lady OF ma.
turc years.
Through the influence Of Miss Pamela Gun
ningham, the Hon. Edward Everett WIS en-
listed in the cause, and his Grafton on the
lie character Oi Washington, and deliver
cd all over the United States, brought to the
association SjO,OOO or $4,000. Private subscrip.
tions procured by the untirlng energy and
zeal OF the fair Southern Matron" from the
South, North, East, and West made up the
necessary sum TO make the purchase. Dur
Ing all this time this remarkable and extra
ordinary daughther was in extreme III health,
and her physicians told her that If she per-
severed In her labors it would be fatal to her
But she expressed q willingness to die In so
noble an undertaking.
History will do her justice. and
her name will be associated In all time 10
come with that Of the father OF his country"
In All article from the Philadelphia Press OF
June J, 1885, we find the following: "Hercu-
leau luOupu IuG Ctsh seemed Dut u lew
months ago, the regent has parried all oppo-
sition, and the great results already accom-
plished proclaim more eloquently than
tongue can speal; or pen write. Was there
ever plan OF womans so admirably con
ceived, managed, and carried completely on
ward to success as this?" Lossing's history
Of Mount Vernon and Its Association" gives
further evidence.
Referring TO Miss Cunningharl, he saws:
"At length an American matron conceived
the idea OF appealing TO her countrywomen
In behalf Of Mount Vernon. She asked them
to put forth their hands TO the work OF OBJ
tanning sufficient money to purchase II, that
the home and tomb Of Washington might be
national possession forever. The idea was
electric, and 1t was felt and responded to
all over the land. Her invalid daughter,
strengthened by the thought o being instru.
mental IN accomplishing the great work
took the direction of the enterprise. She
printed Il strong appeal 10 her couutry-wo.
men, organized an association, and procured
charter OF incorporation for IL; bargain n ed
for the purchase OF the mansion and append.
ages and 20 surrounding acres of the Mount
Vernon estate for SaO,UOO, and began a. great
earnestness the work of obtaining that
amount OF money, and as much more, for
the restoration and support OF the estate"
Sufflcient evidence has been produced,
trust, to claim :he attention of every lover of
justice and those who honor q noble woman.
Especially Will they remember with revcr-
ential affection Miss Ann Pamela Cunning
Setic spirit, directed ALL"
Julia Haskell Coffin.
Washington, d. G., May G, 1891.