Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-05-01

lutionary war, a fugitive to England,
while Washington, in the fortunes of
revolution, made their house his head
quarters during the campaign in New
York.
Washington, however, two years
after the Mary Phillips incident, met
at country house Mrs. Martha Dand-
ridge Custis. She was a widow, 26
years of age, and seven months of
sorrow. She not only belonged to one
of the most distinguished families, but
she was the wealtlIiest woman in the
colony of Virginia. Her sorrow was
alleviated by the presence of two
little angel Custises, Jack and Nellie.
Washington wrote to his physician
before arriving at this country house
in very bad health, that he considered
himself a doomed man, and that he
was expecting very soon his "decay." "
This was on March 5, 1853. But the
sick man left this hospitable home at
Williamsburg on April 1, entirely re-
covered in health and engaged to the
beautiful widow. We know very little
of Mrs. Washington except that she
was petite, a brunette, very pretty,
and could not spell. Washington de-
stroyed all her letters to him on this
account. Most of her letters which
are in existence were written by
Washington and copied by her. But
she proved a good wife. She was d
born lady and had all the high instincts
of a thoroughbred. Jefferson and
Madison and Hamilton, who had met
her, all seemed to be impressed with
her limited educational attainments,
and equally impressed with her perfect
good breeding. Washington never
wandered in his affection for her, and
always alluded to her AZ the partner
of all his domestic enjoyments. They
lived happily together for 40 years.
In his last illness he lay for four hours
at night with that chill which killed
him, because he would not wake his
wife and have her get up in the cold
This consideration for her put him
almost beyond help when morning
came.
He was the most attentive of hus-
bands. Fearing she might overwork
herself with the multitude of guests
that thronged Mount Vernon, he Sc
cured a housekeeper. He saved her
the trouble of ordering her own clothes
to a large extent. He was martinez
on appearances, and extremely partic'
ular, both as to his own clothes and as
to hers. White satin and black velvet
were his favorite materials for his own
coats.
When Washington became general
of the army, and the army went into
winter quarters this good woman made
the long and perilous journeys from
her home in Mount Vernon and spent
every winter in camp with her hus,
band. At. Valley Forge they lived in
hut. She not only looked after him,
but presided with grace and dignity
at the headquarters table, where his
staff and every general officer were
welcomed every day. By her kind
ness and attention 10 the sick soldiers
she did much to prevent the discomfort
of the army under the great hardships
which they endured, and to ALLEVIATE
the sufferings of the i'll and wounded
Both she and the general were passion
ately fond OF dancing. During the
war, at winter headquarters, they ar,
ranged assemblies on the subscription
pattern, the same as those of Delmoni,
co.'s, Waldorf and Sherry's, and they
were called "assemblies." They had
especially notable assemblies at Ger
mantown, at Morristown and at Phila-
delphia. The Washingtons always ar
ranged winter assembly at Alexan.
dria for the families of the country.
Mrs. Washington did not care much
for these festivities, but she sacrificed
herself because these parties relieved
her husband from the tremendous
strain to which he was subject both as
general.of the armies during the Revo-
luton and as president Of the United
States during the formative period Of
the republic. 1t was not uncommon
for Washington at these assemblies to
dance from 10 o'clock until daylight.
He was impartial, and tried to secure
each lady in the room for partner.