West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1903-02-12
AN OLD TIME WEDDING.
The Marriage or George Washlngfon
and Martha Dandridge CustIs
Al 81. Peters Church. Williamsburg,
Va. January IL, 1859.

January y. r7so. dawncd clear. crisp ard
glisteniDg over New Ken, County.
As the rose light OF the coming day
flooded the earth nature awoke with one
movement.
There was huiteying OF wings aud the
sweet songs OF the redbirds and the
orioles rose on the air as the pretty
feathered creatures fitted from lockwood
hedge TO magnolia or the tall. swayinr
poplars. then dartcd of into the woods
to join in the grand matin song which was
rising from thousands OF little throats 20
the accompaniment Of rustIing leaves and
the soft tread OF other children OF nature.
AS the sun rose higher IL touched the
weather vane on the steeple OF old ST.
Peters. In Williamsburg. shedding scIntil.
lating rays athwart the little edi6ce; IL
Hooded the great plantation along the
Pamunkey river and shed an extra CLINT
oil Brightness on those OF Colonel John
Danridge and The White House" the
magnificent home of the widow custis. a
few miles distant.
Nor did this very busy old sun on his
daily rounds find any OF the occupants OF
these two distinguished manor houses
asleep as he poked his nose obovc the
horizon Woolly headed darkies were
stirring with unwonted agility.
Early as the hour was plantation life was
rushing hither and yon.
Horses were receiving unusual groom.
ing high springed. gaudy. numbering
family coaches were being brushed over
and over. and bright blue. red and gold
embroidered robes thrown over them:
saddles and harness were made spick and
span. and grooms livery was being care.
fully inspected for the hundreth time
Big fat mammies. important and bustl.
ing. were making frequent trips to the
outlying kitchens and taking furtive peeps
into bake-ovens and pots hanging on long
iron cranes In the hreplaces
Young and sprlghty negro women, with
sparkling eyes and cleaning teeth. glided
hurriedly but noiselessly through the big
rooms, and the great halls OF the mansions.
and kinky.headcd children we're shouting
and running everywhere to proclaim the
latest word OF the Master or the Missy"
brought from the breakfast room with the
change OF china by the pompous man ser
want who waited on the table on that par.
ticular morning.
And why this unusual huttcr and hustle
and donning Of fine raimeni The great.
est social function Virginia had ever wit
messed and one which was destined to 60
down in the annals of history was to take
place that day.
Colonel George Washington, of the adj
inf H.
officer who had just returned from sue.
cessfnl military campaign and had taken
his seat as a member of the House of
Burgesses, was to come over from his
home at Mount Vernon to we'd the beauti.
fnl and wealthy widowed daughter of
Colonel John cambridge. Martha Dsndri.
dge GUSTS.
AS the day advanced there was a per.
ceptble movement toward St. Peters
church, in Williamsburg, the little edifce
built IN 1903 at cast of 10000 pounds OF
tobacco
The bell in the beliry was ringing as the
gentry. the quality and the nobility OF the
capital and surrounding country drew
near Chaises Respondent in bright-hued
irappings and drawn by fours. with posti-
lion riders. coming from all directions:
wedding guests at the church door.
Tall, straight. with dark brown hair and
gray eyes. young Washington. who was
then in the twenty -seyenth year of his age.
made hadsome and imposing bridegroom.
He was clothed in a suit Of blue cloth. the
coat lined with red silk and ornamented
with silver trimmings
His waistcoat was OF white satin, en-
broidered. and gold buckles were on his
shoes and at his knees. and his head was
powdered straight dress sword hung
by his side
lie was every inch the soldier in civilian
dress as he approached the altar with
military bearing.
The Reverend Mr.. Mossum, in full can.
onicals, stepped to the chancel rail. On
sweet June day, ten years previously.
this reverend gentleman had stood at the
same chancel rail awaiting the same lady
whom everybody present was now awaiting
Then. at the age OF ~. she became the
bride OF Daniel Park Chstis. who had
lived but seven years thereafter.
As the marriage ceremony proceeded
the earnest gray eyes Of Washington never
left her face. The spell that had come
over the young Mars when on a hurried
dispatch trip, he had stopped to dine at
Major Chsmberiayne's and had been
smitten by the charms OF this lady. who
was one OF the guests, had not departed.
Perhaps the young soldier thought Of
those two days Of ardent wooing when.
prohting BY previous disappointing expert
ences, he had determined to remain In
sight until he had won his prize. and per.
haps at that moment he was congratulatine
himself that by pursuing that persistent
course lac had won his lady al the end OF
those two days. after which he had pro-
ceeded on his way TO military duty. foR
lowed by his surprised and shocked body
servant. Bishop. who had never before
known his master to iarry for social plea
sures when duty called him 10 other
affairs.
Il Is safe. 20 say that whatever George
Wsshington's thoughts were, manlike, he
noted but little the wondrous gown worn by
Martha Gusts as she stood beside him, for
while that Virginia gentleman vas punc,ilI.
Gus as to his own gay coats and ruAles, and
could detect at glance the slightest flaw in
The uniform Of soldier or the livery Of
house servant, women's frills and farbelows
were quite beyond him
lie knew, IN vague sort Of way, that tho
little woman was gowned as only one Of the
wealthiest and daindesi ladies Of Virginia
should be, and he was quite certain tha,
whatever The rainmeat she was the fsircsl
and loveliesi creature to look upon in all
the land.
Had Colonel Washington been capable Of
eomPeheuding description Of his brides
costume, as afierward told by a woman who
~ n----n-. be Womb L.-- 1921 49,