The Washington herald., 1907-02-10
FAITHFUL TO HER SON
Very Little of Mary Wash
ingtOn's History Known.
POSSESSED VIGOR OF INTELLECT
Georges Mother Comm amded His
Respect and Reverence and He Did
All He Could to Make i.er Old Age
"a Happy One-He Advised Her with
Gravity in a Curious Letter.

when we are celebrating the birthday
Of so uIustrious a person as George
Washington, it seems but fitting to turn
our attention for q few moments 10 the
woman who gave him birth-Mayy Wash
ington. Although she was not great
woman. as the world counts greatness.
she still holds place OF vast Importance
among American matrcns.
The youngest daughter of Joseph Ball
Mary Washington. was born in Lancaster
County. Va, in 1905. Her grandfather.
William Ball. cmigrated to America in
1866, and, he being "a royalist, left England
when the commonwealth was established
The family could boast of a long line Of
ancestors. the name Of Bali being men
tened in the "Doomsday Book of Exon"
as early as the thirteenth century. There
never was a woman 50 important 20 pos
terity about whom so little is set down
in history although. judging from what
data We have, she was popular ia her
young life, for she was called the belle
OF Epping Forest" When quite young she
became the owner Of 400 acres Of land
through the death of the father, and her
early days were passed ia spinning and
looking after her rural interests.
Not Well Educated.
Her educational advantages were evi-
IDENTITY very limited. for the few letters
which remain TO as are somewhat filter
ate and are written in d saall cramped
hand
When we leave the girIhood period OF
Mary Ball and look upon her as "a ma
tron. we find more authentic data at
hand In the old Washington family
Bible there If this entry. Augustine
Washington ana Mary Ban was married
on the 9Th Of March 1730-31." but whether
this marriage Tas performed at home or
in a church there is no record. Miss Ban
was called hard 20 please when she came
to choosing "A husband, but in this most
important matter she showed consummate
wisdom and the marriage proved one OF
happiness and cOnteutment
Mary Washington early married life
was spent in Wcstmorel8ud County. Viz
ginia. and the products OF the plantation
on which she lived were sent TO Europe
in the vessels which brought provisions
to the Washington family 10 was here
that her famous son. George. was born.
and 60 was here after thirteen years Of
happiness that she was left a widow
with five small children,
4 Remarkable Woman.
II We can believe the ancient lore which
tells us that the mother transmits char
acter 10 her children then surely we must
1 look upon Mrs. Washington as possessing
great yigor Of intellect inheXib.Hty and
irmness where principle IS concerned
and the power Of acquiring and retain
( ing influence over those with whom she
was associated, Tor these characteristics
are SO strongly marked in her sor
/ George. The late Lawrence Washington
q sChoolmate Of her son George. said OF
( her: 81 could not behold that remark
/ able woman without feelings impossible
/ 90 describe. Whoever has seen that awe
/ Inspiring air and manner SO character
/ istic Of the Father OF His Country vii
I remember the matron as she appcare,
/ when the presiding genius OF her wei
/ ordered household. commanding an.
+ obcyed" She was well fitted to lay the
foundation Of one who towers "Beygn.
+ ali Greek beyond aU Roman fame.
Ambitions for son.
Like every mother Mrs. Washington
was ambitious for her son. but his ris
TO place and glory did not uubalance tina
weIl-p0iscd mind, and she is on rec0r
as saying. when Washington's praise
were being sung. George seems 10 hav
deserved well Of his country. Gentlemen
/ here is too much hatJery; still, Georg
VIII not forget the lessons I have laugh
I him. he Will not forget himself. though
he is an object Of so much praise"
This matron, unlike many women Of he
day, was simple in her tastes. and W
can judge that dress found small plac
I ia her lofty mind for we find mentione,
in history that when attending a ball a
Fredericksburg with Gen Washington
after the final surrender of Yorktown
her simplicity astonished some Of IN
foreign guests and one was heard {
exclaim: NO lace, no brocade, no dia
monds. Mon Dieu. if such Ice the Amer
lean matroa, no wonder she has such il
lustrious sons" This love OF the tru
and natural we find further illustrate
by her love Of nature. II was in he
garden and among her flowers that SIN
found sOlace and comfort when her min
was burdened with anxiety concernin
her son, when he was in the midst q
the dangers of war.
Washington Loved Her.
There is little to show US in what r.
gard the nlustrious Washington held hi
mother, but there IS a letter to Mr..
Washington from him dated Februar
i, 1851, which leaves US room to dout
that he entertained kindly feelings tC
ward her. although some have urge
that it is lacking IN the expression q
hliaI duty. but it would seem hard I
ascribe to it anything but a good
spirit, for his love and reverence for hi
/ mother were so great he once exclaime
) "al l am l owe to my mother" tn
following Is an extract from the letter.
"Honored Madam: in consequence 1
your communication to George WASHING
ton Of your want Of money, ! take CIR,
safe conveyance by MI John Dandride
T TO send you fifteen guineas, which, beliey
me, is all / have, which, inueed. ought
have been paid many days ago 10 anotht
agreeable to my own assurances. / hay
now demands upon ME for more than s.
, pounds sterling, three hundred fo~ty ot
which is due for taxes Of 1856. and I kno
not where or when 1 shall receive on
i shilling with which to pay it," (Here TO
lows a somewhat lengthy discussion aboy
: his poverty failure Of crops, Gc) Il ,
NOT, however. offer this as any excuse f,
, mot paving you what may really be du
for let this be little or much, 1 am WILLING
t however unable TO pay to the utmc.