The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-11-13

Short Biographical sketch of the First Mis-.
tress of the White House.
(For The Times.)

(For The Times)
Martha Custis Washington, by birth
Martha cambridge. was born in 1872 on
| her fathers estate, near williamsburg
then the capital of Virginia. where she
figured as social favorite at the court
| OF Governor Dinwddie. Here she mar
ried Colonel Custis, a planter Of wealth,
whose home was not far from her own.
1t was very happy marriage. She was
the mother Of three children. The death
OF the eldest son was her first affiictfon
and was soon followed by the death of
her husband, of consumption. The man
agement of the estate during her widow
hood was left entirely in her hands.
She was twenty-six and very youthful
looking when she met Colonel Washing
ton at the home Of Colonel Chamberlayne
on the Pamunkey This was what might
be called case of love at first sight,
which ripened into an early engagement
and marriage. The latter took place al
the white House." her home, which has
given its historic name TO the presidential
mansion az Washington.
For seventeen years she dispensed hos
pltaiues at her new home Mount Yer
non, as gracefully as she did at the old
one. Here the Gusts children grew I'D
under her careful guidance, as well as
that OF her second husband, who was a
tender parent 10 them. The death OF the
lovely Martha Gusts at the age Of eigh-
teen was great sorrow to both of them.
John Parke Gusts lived TO marry Miss
Nellie Calvert, but died at the age OF
twenty-eight leaving young widow and
-FOUR children. The younger two Of these
were adopted by General Washington as
soace TO his wifes bereavement. Dur
Ing the eight years of the war 81 the
Revolution Martha Washington spent
every winter at the Headquarters OF her
husband, Journeying TO meet him In their
cumbrous family carriage. which war
provisioned by the cooks OF Mount Yer
non, the food being put in boxes under
the seats The winter Mrs. Washington
passed in Morristown, n. j., was perhaps
that Of greatest privation where most of
the time was spent In a small house in
discomfort.
After the close Of the war he repaired
to New York city, then the seat of Gov
eminent, TO occupy an elegantly fur
nished house. Mrs. Washingtons recep-
tons were on the plane of the English
and French, and were attended by the
fashionable and refined. All people were
excluded unless wearing the prescribed
uress' Access 10 these entertainments
was not easy The intercourse between
, NS'--''5eNA oiiu HIS Nile, lnOuSn aiTeC-
uonate, was conducted In the formal
manner OF the times. In one OF mis- let
tiers he unbends himself so far as 10
call her My dear Patsey," but only sub
scHped himself Yours with kind re-
CARDS, George Washington"
The second year OF Washington's Presi-
dency the seat Of Government was re-
moved to Philadelphia. 1t was deter
mined In Congress Philadelphia should |
be honored with its presence for ten
years, and then 1t was decided 10 be re- |
moved 10 what Is now the city of Wash |
ington. The Legislature of PENNSYLVANIA |
built beautiful home at Philadelphia in |
hopes or keeping them there What is |
lately the University of Pennsylvania
was erected for this purpose, but as soon
as Washington saw its size rejected IL at
once, as II was not the custom In those
days 10 furnish the presidential mansion.
He therefore, rented a small house from
Mr. Robert Morris, In Market street ana
lere MRS washington held her receptions
IN FRIDAY evenings She always sat with
he guests I'm circle around which the
passed, speaking kindly TO each
me Mrs Washington was now nfty-
aght, somewhat portly in person. but OF
IN agreeable countenance. After the
light years Of presidential life they re
urned to Mount Vernon. After two vears
lie died. leaving her once more a discons
olate widow. She aid not shir,s anv a.,
i,s us oeath' stricken as she was.
i'Housn she VAS never the same. She |
afyived him only thirty months. In her
eventy-first year. 1901.