The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-05-13
THE PICTURE AND WILL OF
MARY, MOTHER OF GEORGE
WASHINGTON.

neglected memory suitable monument
has at last been unveiled, with national
honors, at Fredericksburg Va. Though
i'evered as the mother and mentor OF
our first president and as such entitled
TO the highest distinction, aside from
her own personal merits, until now no
sculptured memorial to her has ever
been completed, Every previous at
tempt has been fruitless, resulting in
failure and humiliation. But this is not
all. Not only has she been altogether
without finished monument to COM
memorate her virtues and testify the
grateful admiration Of her fellow coun-
trymen and countrywomen, but until a
comparatively recent date, although she
died but one hundred and four years
ago, no authentic portrait or picture OF
her has been known to exist represent
ing in reliable vivisimilitude her physi-
cal lneaments and facial features.
There are spurious portraits almost
without number, and some that have at
known to those who have made a study
of the subject there is but one genuine
portrait of her in the wide world. and
that comparatively recent discovery
in an obscure district of England
George Washington Parke Curtis--the
adopted son of George Washington, a
most Jealous antiquarian in everything
that concerned the relics of the Wash
ington family and perhaps the one per-
son best qualified to judge-repeatedly
asserted his belief that there was no
portrait extant of the mother of WASH
ington. He had never seen or even
heard of the Cookham portrait, to which
we refer, and If he had, the chances are
that he would have spared neither
money nor pains to obtain it. II was
painted in 1928 or 1929, in the village of
Cookham Berkshire county, England,
where Mistress Mary Ball. of Virginia,
lived with her paternal relatives before
she married Augustine Washington
Georges father and returned to Amer
lea. Unfortunately, the picture is the
work of a careless artist, and bears in
herent evidences of that fact. AS a
work of art it is said to be below medi-
ocrity, and most probably was executed
as a study rather than a finished pro-
duction. Still it has that distinctive
quality often seen in portraits, of CIV
ing the impression that the subject
must have looked that way, and mas
much as 1t is the only portrait with any
respectable pretensions to genuineness,
it is a treasure of inestimable value. 1t
is now in the possession of the family
of the late S. p. Morse, of electric tele-
graph fame.
Mary Washington's WILL which is still
in the clerks Office at Fred
Va, and a copy of which
happens to be accessible. is of special
from the fact that 1t throws a
strong light on her character and do
mestic relations, and gives amusing in
formation concerning her treasured
househ I'D belongings and the person.
ality of her slaves. 1t begins thus:
"In the name Of God! Amen! l, Mary
of Fredericksburg, in the
county of Spotsylvania, being in good
health, but calling to mind the uncer-
-ainty of this life, and willing to dis
pose of what remains of my worldly
estate, do make and publish this, my
last will, recommending my soul into
the hands of my Creator. for the re-
mission of all my sins through the mer-
it's and mediation of Jesus Christ, the
Saviour of mankind: l dispose cf my
worldly estate as follows:
"Imprimis-I give to my son, Gen
eral George Washington, all my land
on Accokuk river, in the county of Staf-
ford, and also my legro boy George, to
him and his heirs forever. Also, my
best bed, bedstead and Virginia cloth
curtains (the same that stand in my
hest bedroom), my quilted blue and
white quilt and my best dressing glass.
'Item-I give and devise to my daugh-
ter Betty Lewis. my phaeton and my
bay horse.
'Item-I give and devise to my grand
son, Corbin Washington, my negro
wench, Old Bet; my riding chair and
two black horses. to him and his as
signs forever.
"Item-I give and devise to my grand
daughter, Bette Curtis. my negro wom-
an. little Bet and her future increase,
to her and her assigns forever. Also,
my largest looking glass. my walnut
writing desk and drawers. n square din
ing table, one bed. bedstead bolster,
one pillow. one blanket and pair of !
sheets, white Virginia cloth counter
pains, my red and white tea china, tea
spoons, and half Of my pewter and |
and the remainder Of my |
iron kitchen furniture.
'Item-I desire all my wearing ap- !
parel to be equally. divided between my |
yrand-daughters, Betty Curtis. Fannie
Ball and MiIly washington-bu should (
my daughter, Betty Lewis, fancy any /
Dne. two or three articles, she is to
have them before a division thereof.
In witness thereof. l have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the goth Of May.
l7ss."