The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-04
IIrE EVENTFTn Live

HER ENENTFJH LINE.
George Mason. one OF tho great states
men of our early American history. and
one Of the trainers Of our American Con-
stitutiOn Of liberty. was at the time Of
his death p0sscssor OF large tracts of
land in Virginia. and numerous slaves,
so that each one OF his children came
90 a handsome property. His third SON
John. inherited Analostan Island with
other property in Virginia. There he
built a beautiful home. and furnished
D. with luxury and comfort, making the
grounds around "a ri perfect bower OF
flowers and beauty. Thithcr he brought
his young wife. nee Munay, from the
Eastern Shore OF Maryland. ana TINS
lovely island home soon became the cen
ire Of attraction. where wealth. arlsto-
Cracy. and genius crowded It's mans ana
parto0k of its generous hospitality
To This couple. nearly ninety years
ago was born their youngest child, Anna
Maria. the subject of this sketch
INTERESTING STORIES.
Brought up on almost the outskirts Of
Washington. she used TO tell many inter
,stiug story of those days. when our Ma
tional Capital was comparatively new
and insignificant. AS "a school girl she
was the intimate friend and conhdante
OF Louise Morris the darling child or q
proud and wealthy family, and during
that school time her little friend eioped
with "Buly" Corcoran. then poor and
unknown afterward the great philan-
thropist. who. for the sake and love of
his girl wife and her daughter founded
that beautiful charity, the Louise Home,
and enriched Washington with his grand
art gallery She was also friend and
ueighbor Of the unfortunate Mexican
exilcs. the Iturbides. Of whom she had
all. enlr4 90
nun. SISTER Agnes, who, after fleeing
the convent walls, renowned her faith
and entered the social whirl Of tine city
one of the most interesting stories she
told of those days was that on one occa-
sion her father General Mason. who had
spent much of his life in France brought
home with him in his carriage two young
Fronchmen. whom he introduced as Mos
slcurs Egalite; her mother ana the older
members Of the family were requested 10
treat them with great consideration and
honor.
After several days spent pleasantly.
the Young men left with sincere thanks
for Kindness received. Nothing more was
thought about il. as guests In those days
were NO uncommon occurfence-old
homes heinz centres Of abundance, hos
piiality and welcome. Some years after
The French Minister drove up to their
door. and. after entering. desired to meet
the entire family. and 10 them rendered
tho thanks of Louis Philippe and his
royal brother for the generous Kindness
they received as Messieurs Egalite. lie
also presented I'm their name TO General
and Mrs Mason "a substantial and eNqui-
site service of silver.
GREAT BEAUTY AND BELLE.
Anna Maria grew mp 10 be great
beauty and belle and was known as the
beautiful Mamie Mason of the island
She spent many of the happy days OF her
cirlhood al Mount Vernon and Airing
ION. and ID was az the latter place that
She met Lieutenant sydney Smith Lee.
United States navy. and elder brother of
Robert T. Lee who was ar that time
married to Mary Gusts. of Arlington.
This meeting resulted in courtship ana
marriage the ceremony being perlomed
in old Christ church. Alexandria, va.
General Joseph T. Johnston was one OF
their groomsmon. and aftorward remark
ed that there never stood before min
ietc~ 4 more beautiful couple Por-
traits taken Of them In those early bridal
DAYS represent Lieutenant Lee as
s,riknely handsome man, dark as
spaniard I'm STYLE costumed In fun naval
uniform. while his bride has lovely,
piquant FACE. with rosy cheeks brown
ewes and clustering. dark brown curls.
she was attred In crimson velvet
trimmed with white swansdown. They
az FIRST made their home in Washington.
where her beauty great Wit and vi
vscity soon made her the admiration and
centre OF the social circle. During
Buchanan's administration Captain and
Nrs Lee were intimate friends and fire.
ouent guests Of Miss Harriet Lane then
the accomplished and graceful mistress
Of the White House. When the young
Prince 81 Wales paid that long remem-
berea visit 20 the United States. OF course.
mo President had 20 give him a state
dinner Mrs. Lee. being one of the
guests. went in on the arm Of the Duke
OF Newcastle and was seated next TO
the Prince She related many amusing
incidents OF that dinner. OF Albert Ed
wards .boyishness and gaucherie. He
greatly desired 10 have dance after
ward. hut the President had TO politely
decline. as it was not customary.
HER ELDEST SON.
At their country home. "Claremont."
near Alexaniria. on the 18th OF Novem-
her. 1885 their eldest son was born. and
named FI.zhugh. after a beloved friend.
HRS Fytzhugh. OF Ravensworth: five
other sons were born 20 them. and all
grew 90 manhood and were gallant SOL
dcrs and sailors during the civil war.
Mrs Ftzhugh became the godmother
ana devoted fricnI and patron or the
young Fzhugh. and no doting mother
could have watched over his welfare
and development with more pride and
devotion
when the civil war commenced Captain
Lee resigned in tho United states navy.
and. Ike his Nlustrious brother. offered
his sword 20 bis native state. Mrs Lee
went with him 90 Richmond. leaving all
their property IN the hands Of the enemy
During those four years Of hardship
honor aud carnage Mrs. Lee was never
Respondent. Always bright and hopeful
she was the comfort and sustainer OF all
around her. Robert r. Lee often spoke
with great admiration OF her courage
and brightness IN those gloomy DAYS. and
called her the 'Stpr % Hone" with her
sons and husband and many other be-
loved relatives In the front OF battle. she
never once lost heart James Mason, so
long prominent as a United States soma