The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1893-06-27
historic WOMEN OF oARonrNA.
The winthrop Normal College Honors
tho Memory of Noble Women.

Il
signalized by series of brief sketches
prepared by students and relating tc
the Historic Women of South Caro-
lima, and among these contributions
we find the following sketch of Miss
Ann Pamela Cunningham, of Laurens
which was written by Miss Mary Mil.
ler, OF Becca, Spartanburg County, and
Is worthy of a careful perusal:
The home of George Washington is @
national monument, dear to the heart
OF every American, and should be es-
pecially dear to every South Carolinian,
for to one OF Carolina's patriotic daugh-
ters belongs the distinguished honor OF
having, suggested and made the first
effort towards the organization of the
Mount Vernon Association, for the
purpose of purchasing the home and
tomb of Washington, and keeping them
as a sacred shrine and Mecca for her
countrymen.
Many years ago, one summer even
ing, a boat was sailing down the Po-
tomac River. On board were two pas
sengers, a mother and daughter, both
being deeply impressed by the tolling
boil as the boat passed Mount Vernon
Very naturally they talked of the
memories. connected with the place,
and the r9mor of its probable sale.
beautiful thing it would be if the wo-
men OF the country could organize and
purchase Mt. Vernon and hold it al
ways for the nation"
The idea was at once caught by her
young and gifted daughter, Miss
Pamela Cunningham, and carried out
with such zeal and perseverance that
the home of the Father of his Coun-
try" was not allowed to pass into the
hands of speculators.
In December, 1853, Congress having
virtually declined to purchase and pre-
serve Mt. Vernon, Miss Cunningham,
under the pen name of ga Southern
Matron," made her first stirring ap-
urging them to put forth their hands
to raise the funds necessary to pur-
chase the home and tomb of Washing
ton. The Washington heirs being
forced to sell, offered the place for
2,O00, 900. Her articles were read and
responded to all over the country.
In April, 1854, the women of the
United States, under the leadership of
Miss Cunningham, organized the Mt.
Vernon Association, procured charter
of incorporation for it, and bargained
for the purchase of the mansion and
appendages and two hundred surround
ing acres of the Nit. Vernon estate.
And this frail woman, who had been
an invalid almost from girlhood, often
confined for months at time to her
bed, awakened an enthusiasm that re-
suited in grand success.
Through her influence Hon. Edward
Everett was inspired with the same
spirit of patriotism, and his Grafton on
the life and character of Washington
brought the Association about seventy
thousand dollars. Private subscrip-
tions from every part of the country
made up the remainder of funds re-
quisite to make the purchase. In 1860
this great undertaking was brought to
u successful issue-the home and tomb
of Washington belonged to the Ma
tional Association.
Among the many efficient co-workers
with Miss Cunningham, the names of
Madame LeVert and Mrs. Ritchie stand
out prominently. Miss Cunningham
was unanimously elected Regent when
the Association was organized, which
position she held until few years be-
fore her death.
When the women of America came
into possession of Mt. Vernon, the out
buildings were in ruins, the gardens,
grounds and walks overrun with weeds,
and the mansion itself in q state of di-
lapidation. The Association imme-
diately began the work of rebuilding
and restoring everything as it was left
by Washington. But the Civil War
came on and was disastrous in it's con-
sequences to the work begun by wo-
mans patriotism. Immediately after
the war the estate was found to be in
debt, and, in accordance with the in
vitation of the Council, Miss Cunning
ham left her Carolina home and as
sumed the management of affairs at
Mt. Vernon, in order to save the salary
before paid to a superintendent. While
she was living at Mt. Vernon, the
charge of mismanagementO of the funds
of the Association was brought against
her by some of the Vice-Regents. She
demanded immediate and thorough in
vestigation. The result was an abso-
lutte vindication.
Mrs. Marks of Vermont, wife of DR..
Marks, the founder of the Barhamville
Institute, in letter to Mrs. Lincoln
Phelps, of New York, says among
Miss Cunningham's many noble quali-
ties, her integrity in all business con-
Germs stands prominent and unimpeach-
able" Mrs. Phelps also states that
"when Miss Cunningham assumed the
management at Mt. Vernon, with only
$3.50 at command, she commenced work
broken in health but firm in spirit,
with determination to succeed. At a
meeting of the Council, in 1870, she
had paid all current expenses, dis
bursed several hundred dollars for re-
pairs, and had on deposit $3,051.2 .'
TO-day.Mt. Vernon is in q highly pros
porous condition, both as to finances
and appearance, and it Is here that
the memory of Miss Cunningham is
best embalmed.
The suggestion of having each of the
thirteen original States represented by
a room at Mt. Vernon was also hers.
The South Carolina room is said to be
! one of the most beautiful in the man
sion, and to have been the favorite
room of Washington. In this room
hangs portrait of Miss Cunningham.
1t is mounted in q handsome oval gilt
frame, and shield below bears this
inscription:
ANN PAMELA CUNNINGHAM,
of South Carolina,
First Regent of the Mount Vernon
Association,
1858-1875.
Born Is Aug, 1916. Died 1 May, 1875
Her Life Work Is Here.
Ann Pamela Cunningham was borr
at her ancestral home, Rose Mont
Laurens County, S. c., in 1916. She
was a granddaughter of Patrick Gun.
ningham. He and two of his brothers