Evening journal., 1906-09-17
STORY OF MAD
ANTHONY'S LOVE
Mary VIning. a Wilmington
Beauty Captured His
Heart
DEATH ENDS THE ROMANCE

.
Of America. of the State Of Delaware.
May 30. 1904, says the Philadelphia
Record
This fact is also recorded in the let
ters OF George Read. Of New Castle,
Del. signer Of the Declaration of In
dependence.
Thomas Jefferson proudly assured
/ the lovely Marie Antoinette that the
extravagant admiration Of the Della
ware belle by the French officers that
| had reached her ears was no exag-
geration. The Queen replied that "she
would be glad to see Miss Vining at
the Tuilleries.'
And it was this same Miss vinlng
with whom Mad" Anthony Wayne
was deeply smitten At Paoli, 129
years ago this week. Wayne was sur
prised by the British and fearfully
whipped, but later, when nc came to
know the beautiful Miss vining, all
the sting OF his defeat had passed and
probably only his death prevented the
contamination Of the romance in
which they figured.
As II to guard against The palming
Of superstition heirs upon ''Barrlton
Fields" the Vining estate near Salem,
/ 49, css AAA-' - AAit oNdAtl9 clyit III WHICH
/ her birth is recorded in the Vining
family Bible: MARY vining. daughter
Of Chief Justice John Nining and
Phoebe Wynkoop. was born at his
house. near Dover. on Saturday. the
2Oth day Of August 1856. at Of the
clock in the morning, in presence Of
Robana Powell (midwife). Mrs Mary
Wynkoop and Mrs. Mary Ridgely, and
]
4 tember following by Reverend Hugh
Neil, missionary for Dover in Kent
County"
According to the standard of that
uay Mary Vining was born TO wealth
inherited from her mother. Her
brother, John Middleton N-ining, like
all the family, was brilliant, could
make a splendid speech and was
charming in conversation. He was the
youngest member of the First Conti-
mental Congress, popularly known as
The Pet Of Delaware;" spent his
money lavishly. lost his own means
and. unfortunately. his sisters.
Her Only Known Portrait.
The only known likeness of Miss
Vlning was a miniature taken when
she was 10, which tradition says did
not do her justice. The painter was
unable to catch the subtle charm OF
| expression; the radiant mind shining
through that lovely face.
4 Miss Nining's charming manners
were not reserved for society only:
she was the light Of her home. adored
by her mother and all related to her
and gained an ascendency over all
whom she mCt. Not only was she men,
toned at the polished French court,
but also at the English court OF
George III. and likewise at the court
Of Germany. Distinguished foreigners
visiting the vicinity OF her abode never
failed to solicit an introduction TO Miss
Nining. She entertained among her
guests the Duke de Liancourt the
Duke d'Orleans and the French King
Louis PHILIPPE, When the Spanish
patriot, General Miranda passed
through Wilmington on the stage
coach at night hesleft his card in the
postofice for Miss Vining.
Caesar Rodney was elected Governor
Of Delaware about 1777 and lived at
No. COG Market street Wilmington.
He, being unmarried, was glad to have
his house and table presided over by
his young cousin, Mary Vining. Here
young Lafayette and the French Of
ficers were entertained. In the cellar
of this house with the Governors con-
sent. General Lafayette stored his
small casks OF gold wherewith 10 pay
his little army and help thei cause OF
: freedom.
Mary vining spoke French fiuently
and preferredlit to English. At this
period she reigned belle in the fash
ionable circles Of New York and Phil
. adelphia. The excitable French off,
GERS were completely carried away
with extravagant admiration. In
stances occurred in which both French
and British would bravo any danger
rather than forego the hope OF secur-
ing her hand. When the British
evacuated Philadelphia. in 177S. Brit
ish officer ran the risk Of a court.
martial for absence without leave
rather than not see her once more. H'
made his way to Wilmington, but wa'
refused, as before.
I The most favored Of Mary Winnings
many admirers was Mad (from his
: headlong courage) Anthony Wayne
Colonial society opened its eyes very
2 wide. indeed to think that Miss Vim
e ing had accepted this coarse American
e soldier. after she had the pick Of thl
8 French and British aristocracy. Never.
theless. true it is that these two be.
came engaged when General Wayne
was widowed and Miss Nining still
beautiful and highly cultured, but n,
longer young. If none but the brave
deserve the fair. surely Mad Anthon,
n Wayne classed easily among the bray
est and Mary vinlng among the fair
est OF their day
p After Arnold's treachery in 1880
o Wayne took command OF West Point
= In i7S1 he assisted Lafayette at Fred
t ericksburg, attacked a force OF British
d Of FIVE times his command at Greei
$. Springs. and got his army through
c safely during the confusion Of tn
Il enemy He gave most valuable as
J. sistance in preparing the troops ant
n grounds just before and leading up &
l. the surrender Of Cornwalus. at York
town. So, on until April s. 1892 Presi
II dent Washington appointed Wayn
n Commander n-Chief OF the Unite
h States Army, with the rank OF Majo
IS General, an appointment confirmed b.
II the Senate on the same day. Thei
e. Il was left 10 him TO settle with tn
o. Indians, who had been armed by tn
r British. ana We're often led by Brits
+ officers after peace had. beer declared
ie He returned his commission early