Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-18

of Fredericksburg, Virginia To her father, Washington
addressed letter asking permission propose marriage
in "the hope of revocation of former cruel sentence
and see If | cannot find alteration in my favor.
Twice, therefore, Miss Betsey given the privilege of
rejecting his ardent suit 1t said that when Washington
passed through Williamsburg, after the surrender of
CORVALLIS at Yorktown, the former Miss Fauntleroy
then widow was standing by an open window watch
ing. The General saw her, raised his sword, and
1uted, whereupon she fell fainting to the floor.
Washington transferred his affections from Miss
Faunteroy to Miss Mary Philpse, the daughter of
prominent Engshman of West Point. After few
lady of his choice unwilling to share her lot with
his, and later married Captain Roger Morris. 1t is
interesting to note that Benedict Arnold residing
at the Phpse home when he betrayed his country and
escaped from their grounds to the British lines when his
treachery became known. During the Revolution Miss
Philpse remained loyal to the Crown Her home, the
famous une mansion the outskirts of New York,
subsequently used by Washington his head
quarters
TWO years after the Philpse affair, when crossing
Williams Ferry, route to Williamsburg upon
his return from Fort Duquesne, Washington made the
acquaintance of genial old gentleman Mr.. Chamber
layn, who recognized him and Hospitality invited the
young Colonel to his home nearby At first Washington
declined urging important business duties for the Gov
eminent that required his immediate attention. How
ever, upon being informed of the gay party then
Sembled at the Chamberlain residence he consented
to stay to dinner Here he became much interested in
young and beautiful widow, Martha cambridge Gus
the afternoon and remained the night, and
his duties transacted he returned again for several
days
Thus began the in the lives of George and
Martha Washington. There many suggestions
that attempt to explain the for Washingtons
failure to win the hearts of his many ladyloves Some
attribute it to his modesty and ddence; others say
that he too poor in early youth; and the least
plausible is that he had not received university edu
cation in England But, be the what they may
in the Widow Gusts Washington found true and
loyal mate and much has been written of his soldery
woong Thackeray weaves the love story in his novel,
"The Virginians'
Six months after their meeting january Il, 1859
the couple married at St. Peters Church. at Viii
lian1sburg The ceremony followed by elaborate
reception at the Gusts home and many of the notables
of the day graced the event by their presence.
There a pretty story that after Mrs. Gusts had
accepted Washington she planted yew tree in the
garden of her famous "six-chmney house" at Williams
burg as symbol of devotion and constancy.
At the close of the session of the House of Bugesses
held at Williamsburg, then the capital of Virginia of
his wife and two stepchildren to Mount Vernon. The
fine fiber of the shown in his devotion to these
children, Patsy and Nellie Gusts, who interested him
from the first. The unsatisfed yearning for children
of his is often revealed in his diaries and letters to
friends.
p EAL love and happiness had come to him at
~ Mount Vernon, and the simple words with which
he declined friends invitation to visit England few
months after his marriage perhaps than anything
else express his complacent attitude:
I am believe fixed this with agreeable
consort for life And hope to find happiness in
trement than experienced amid wild and busting
world.
In the early years of married life the Washngtons
entered freely into the social activities of the country
side. His diaries record visits to the homes of his
neighbours and frequently dinners at his festal
board-so much SO that, although he the owner of
over one hundred cows he at times obliged to buy
butter.
At the close of the war SO many personages of note
visited them that, in letter his mother, he kened
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