El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-06-17

"EORGE " II y T ON was
reighth in direct descent from
- William Ball in a straight line
back to 1850. The family came orig
inally from Birkham, England. the
/ spot where William the Conqueror
paused in his devastating march from
the bloody field Of Hastings
William, the first Of the BAH family
in America, settled in Lancaster
county. Virginia. in 1850. His descend
ants were distinguished in the social,
! literary and political life Of the col
ony. William Bell left two sons, VII
liam and joseph Of this Joseph Ball.
George Washington was the grandson,
through his youngest daughter Mary,
who wax born in nos. at Epping For
est. in Lancaster county, Virginia, IN
the peninsula that separates the Rap
pahannock from the Potomac river.
No records OF Mary Balls early
wOmanhood have been preserved OF
her personal appearance we know
nothing, although Washington Irving
called her a beauty and a belle" His
information was based on George
Washington Parke Curtis. the only
eye witness who wrote Of her ap-
pearance in middle life
Conspicuous in English History.
The Wessingtons. Wzeshingstons
Wassingstons and Washingtons, a.
WashingtOn's English ancestors spelt
the name in different periods, had
played conspicuous part in English
history
Augustine Washington was George
Washington's fathers name. On
March s. 1880. he brought Mary Ball
10 his plantation at Wakefield. UPON
the Potomac Here on February p,
1882. George Washington was born. A
few years later the Washingtons
moved 70 a plantation opposite Fred
ericksburE.
IN 1913 Mary Washington's husband
died at the age OF A. She was now
So He left her with a very large es-
tate. but limited pecuniary resources.
He also left two sons OF the first
wife and four sons and one daughter
Of his second wife. Mary Washington.
George was but u years old when his
father died and it was to his mothers
guidance that he often referred as the
source OF his usefulness and success
Her thorough knowledge OF practical
life enabled her TO superintsnd all the
affairs OF her household and to supply
BY indefatigabls industry and neon
parable ingenuity the necessaries as
we'll as the comforts for her family
From his mothers early instructions
w ashin gtOn lmhibed that love Of truth
for which he was remarkable and
which is so pleasingly and profitably
Of his childhood.
There are no authentic particulars
Of the life OF Mary Washington for
several years prior 10 the Revolution
flrSlnians were taught 70 hold their
lands at any sacrifice. The land kept
the family. but il afforded small mar
gin for the education OF four boys
and one daughter hence Mary Wash
ington wisely prepared her sons 10
make their way in the world As early
as II years OF age the youthful Wash
lngton had actually taken the neces-
sary steps preliminary 10 entering the
English navy. which the disapprOTal OF
his mother prevented The sons OF
virginia gentlemen were sent TO COL
leEe at home and abroad Not 50
George Washington The sexton OF
the parish was his teacher During
one winter he rode on horseback ten
miles TO school. returning home at
night helping with the chores Dur
ing another season he ferried himself
across the Rappahannock to the old
academy At Fredericksburg
Has safe Counselor.
Mary Washington had a safe coun-
selor in her step-son- Lawrence Wash
lnEtOn. who at IS was made by his
fathers death the head Of the family
He was bequeathed the estate OF
Hunting Creek" $500 acres. A name
he changed to Mt Vernon. in compli-
ment TO a British admiral and which
George Washington inherited upon
Lawrence-s death
This Lawrence Washington. through
Mary NashingtOn's training. vas
locked IN to BY the children younger.
to be their fathers representative and
he talked business with his step
mother as II she were a man The
mother superintendent the plantation
where everything used upon the place
was raised and manufactured The
cotton was spun and woven into Ear-
ments- the wool was washed. carded.
spun and woven into linsey- woolsey
and when the work was all finished
on the plantation and the household
duties eueded she spent the evening.
like Lucretia. with her maids about
her. making clothes for the family
and servants The sugar. lard. flour
mOlasses. vinegar and cider. kept un-
der lock and key. was measured out
by Nary Washington and that key
went everywhere that Mary went
except 10 church on Sunday, when il
was locked up in the closet No won
der George Washington was a great
man. with such a great mother.
How different the beauties and
bellies OF the old time from many OF
the beauties and the bellies. dressed
dolls. OF the present day. who are
never home except when they cannot
possibly be anywhere else. whose
home are mere refectories and dorrni-
tories, 20 whom the ten command
ments are an Inconvenience. who eat
arsenic TO improve the complexion and
whose only heaven is a good show
You viii search history in vain to
lind a great man whose mother was
: follower OF the Unified foOIeries OF
fashion