Evening star., 1909-04-29
| Mary, the Mother of Washington,

Washington, and it was erected upon
the site of her grave. quarter of
mile beyond the city limits of Fred
ericksburg, on what was once the farm
of Col. Fielding Lewis. husband of Bet
ty. the sister of George Washington.
When his home at Wakefield was
burned. in 1885, Augustine Washington
removed his household to another plan
tation he owned in Stafford county, Va,
on the Rappahannock, opposite Fred
ericksburg. which was called the Ferry
farm, because there was no bridge
across the river, and it's only communi-
cation with the city was by boat. Eight
years after, in 1743, the husband Of
Mary Washington died of gout, leaving
her, at the age of thirty-seven, with
large family of boys and girls. five of
them under twelve years Of age. Life
then became a serious matter for this
young woman, and for thirty-two years
thereafter every moment of her waking
hours had It's specified task. Industry
was not choice. but a necessity; yet
she not only educated all her children,
but undertook the personal manage
ment of two estates, experimenting the
plantation as well as the household df-
fairs, and in those days, with primitive
and limited facilities. that was no COM
mon undertaking for woman.
A Will Of Her Own.
She was an intellectual and resolute per-
son. to whom order was law and method
and system a mania. 1t was said that
no plantation in Virginia was more ably
or economically managed than hers. In
1776, when George Washington went to
mental army after the battle of Bunker
Hill, her daughter, Mrs. Lewis, and her
son. the general, insisted that she should
leave the river farm and reside with the
Lewis family on their estate called Ken
more, which adjoined the city of Fred
ericksburg. but she declined to do SO. The
spirit Of independence and command was
very strong in her soul, and she said:
my wants in this life are few. l feel
perfectly competent to take care of my
SELF
But to crafty her son she purchased
house near the center of the town of
Fredericksburg. on Charles street. plain
weather-boarded structure, which stiI
stands and belongs to the Society for the
Preservation of Virginia Antiquities Here
George Washington visited her in 1881.
after the battle of Yorktown, attended by
his military staff of French and American
officers. and three years later. In 1874. the
Marquis de Lafayette paid her a visit of
respect when, as the traditions of Fred
ericksburg go, the old lady mixed him a
mint julep and offered it with plate of
ginger cakes she had made with her own
hands.
All the time she lived in Fredericksburg
Mrs. Washington kept sharp eye upon
the family interests, and even up to the
age of seventy-eight years she crossed
the ferry every morning and drove about
in an old gig. inspecting fields. gardens.
barns and slave quarters. with keen eye
for neglect or waste or disorder. They
say she was a very hard mistress. AS age
and weakness increased she abandoned
the old gig and made her tours of inspec-
ton in an old low-hung victoria, which
had been provided for her comfort by the
general. Stephen, her coachman, sat
stiff1y upon the box. thoroughly con-
scious of the Importance of attending one
whom everybody saluted-the grand
mother of the great republic.
There has been a story in circulation
for a century, and it has found its way
into many books particularly British and
tory publications. that Washington al
erty and. privation. while he and his wife
were surrounded with luxury. But all
the local traditions and all the circum-
stantial evidence point to it's untruth.
She was by habit and preference woman
of the strictest economy and frugality,
and in later life denied herself many COM
forts that were enjoyed by her sons and
daughters but 1t was from choice and
not from necessity. Her will, which may
be seen in the clerks Office at Fredercks-
burg. shows that she had considerable
property of her own and several slaves
and horses, which were divided among her
children.
Had Some Peculiarities.
1t is clear that she was a woman Of
strong character and many peculiarities,
including an independent spirit and a
sharp tongue. She did not change the
fashion of her raiment for more than
twenty years. and cut and made her own
garments in defiance Of public opinion and
changing styles. When she went visit
ing the sight of her as she approached
caused every member of the household
to seize a broom a dustbrush. or in
some manner to assist in Strengthening
up things. SO that her fastidious and crit
ical taste might not be offended. She per-
formed her daily duties at precisely the
same hour, in precisely the same manner,
regardless of changing conditions and cir
cumstances, and the neighbors set their
clocks and watches by the ringing Of her
dinner bell. Her death, at the age of
eighty-three, was from cancerous tumor,
the result of bruise left by an acct
dental blow upon her breast.
On the day that Washington received
notice OF his election to the presidency he
ealloped over from Mount Vernon to
Fredericksburg to carry his mother the
news, and remained with her until 1t was
necessary for him to start for New York
This was, their last interview. Four
months later he received the announce
ment Of her death by special post rider,
who made the journey from Fredericks-
burg to New York in five days.
During the last months of her life the
venerable lady spent much time among