Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-08-31
Mrs. Admiral Goldsborough

Away hack in the 70s / CHANGED to
meet IN Washington city. one Of the moss
distinguished and finest looking women
I have ever seen in my life, and my
interest in her was greatly increased
when I found she was one OF the daugh-
tiers of Hon. william Writ, who lived Sc
long ago, and whose fame as a writer
and statesman filled the United States.
Hon. william Writ was attorney gen
eral under President James Munroe fol
eight years. and served four additional
years under President John Quincy
Adams. making II consecutive years IN
service as the chief legal adviser OF the
federal government. His letters to his
daughters are among the finest ever writ
ten and published by q father to his
children
Ars. Goldsborough was one Of a family
OF six sisters and the sole survivor oil
her fathers family when 1 became &C
quainted with her in ISIS.
Mrs. GoIdsborough was "the daughter
Elizabeth" so often mentioned In those
beautiful chaste, eloquent and fatherly
letters Of one OF our greatest American
statesmen Her long residence IN wash
ington gave her an intimate knowledge
of public men and measures. whicf
made her conversation very interesting &c
me and beyond the experiences OF any
distinguished woman then living She was
an honored guest in the white mouse
during the administrations Of Van Bu'
rem. Polk. Pierce. Fillmore and Buchanan
as well as acquainted with those presi'
dents under whom her distinguished IA
Their served in earlier years.
she was In touch with General Jack
non's so-called Kitchen cabinet and
gave me racy descriptions Of the times he
lived IN. We recollect that her father
had been many years dead when the war
broke out in America, and she was then
married 70 Commodore. afterward Admi-
raj, GoIdsborough.
she followed her husbands fortunes In
the Union cause. while her own kindred
An virginia went with the south, and she
eave me many stories OF her touching ex-
perieuces and anxieties when hostilities
prevailed between the Confederate and
Federal armies
Mrs. Goldsborough was a very striking
woman IN her appearance. Her portrait
taken in her prime would have been priz-
ed as a great picture Of noble duchess.
she was an elderly lady when l saw
her and she took her meals where we
board on X street the then fashionable
street OF the great capital city. She own
Cd a fine residence next door which was
a. that time occupied by Hon Abram
Hewitt. OF New York. and IL was at meal
times that I so often met her when she
liked 10 rest and talk to me In my par
lor OF the great things that happened
when she was young and prominent In
Washington social life
Her maid had lived with her since both
were young women. but the maid was
then feeble. and her principal duty was
at that time TO arrange her mistress
beautiful glossy ringlets, worn in tie
. fashion OF her early wOmanhOOd and new
er changed.
The attachment OF Mrs Goldsborough
for the maid was pathetic. Catherine,
the maid. was paid her high wages reg
ularly, although she was otherwise only
q dependent on her mistress bounty, as
her age and feeble health made her a
heavy care. Mrs GOldsborough was a
childIess widow. and much straitened In
means. until congress gave her the pen
sion If an admirars widow. When money