Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-08-31
GEORGE WASHINGTON Reid
Newly Acquired and Remarked
Collection in National Museum
Comprises 100 Objects Of Especial II
tcrest Once owned by General and
Mrs. Washington Mt Mount
vernon.

The national museum at Washingto
y. C.. replete in interesting and historic
relics, has lately received very remar
able loan collection Of objects of artist
and domestic interest once owned by Gle
eral and Mrs. Washington at Mount We
non, Virginia.
The new accession comprises 1876 Q
jects, and includes china aud Stasswar
furnitlre pictures. kitchen utensils, ma
uscripts and letters. ana a number Of nj
collaneous articles of historical interes
all Of which have come to the museu
as n loan from Walter G. Peter, of tn
city. Mr. Peter inherited these pricele
relics from his grandmother, Mrs. Br |
tannia w. Kennon. of Tudor Tiac
Georgetown, daughter Of Martha Custi
who the granddaughter of Mr.
Washington and her first husband Dani{
Parko GUSTS. thus coming down througI
five generations. they have at last beeI
deposited. by the great great great grand
son of Mrs. Washington, with the nd
tional collections
/ OF especial importance are three letter \
written to Mrs Washington upon til
death of General Washington. They an
from George Washington Lafayette. sol
of the marquis; Alexander Hamilton: an
Henry Knox Mr.. Peter has lately adde
four more letters to the collection; tnrc
written by- General Washington to Thoma
| Peter, the husband OF Martha GUSTS an
one letter written by Thomas Peter
General Washington. y set of red an
white ivory chess men used by the ger
oral at Mount Vernon forms another il
terestinC feature of the exhibit
Several pictures are included in this co
lection, two of them depicting Washing
! ton; one water color by William Thorn
ton, and the other an engraved portrait
| but by far the most interesting object /
this connection is the Washington relic
I plaque by Champion done i'm white purct
lain. 1t is said 20 be copied from Teale
! picture of III, which shows Washirgto
as young colonial officer. SurrounGin
the central medallion arc the en1blems an
flags Of the colonies intertwined with
floral wreath, while below is the VAST
ington coat-of-arms Like the Frankli
porcelain plaque, by the same artist, tn
one Of Washington has a history of cor
siderable interest. made as it was in II
famous china-factory in Bristol Englan,
by Richard Champion a British subjec
at the time when Washington was II
hero Of the colonies.
! The jewelry includes very handson
gold watch with an extra case, face ar
crysta, owned ny Mrs Washington.
piece of pearl cuff button. and two so
lockets containing locks Of General VAS
inPtons hair, one of which is woven in
a design forming his coat-of-arms. al
, was worn by Mrs. Washington on a NatC
chain.
Three conch shell buttons worn by Il
; general have an interesting story attach'
to them. 1t seems that while waikiki
, alone one day in Philadelphia, he was a
costed by a poor Italian. who. ignora
of his personality, offered some cont
, shells for sale, and pressed his wares il
, siSting that they comprised all he hS
, in the world to sell. Washington is ere
tied with having remarked. Put, n
, good man, what would | do with yo'
conch shells"' Whereupon the insjSte
Italian suggested that he Use them
, make buttons for his coat. Pleased wi
the ready answer, WASHINGTON purchas
them and forthwith had brown velv
''' ''''"' "t''" N"I'H 'I'e "u'''I'9 -"'
loned ny his tailor from the shells We
, put This incident is described by w
liam Armstrong in an article in the &c
, fury Magazine for May. 1890.
Considerable chinaware used ut Mou
Vernon is exhibited in this collection;
special interest is bowl decorated wi
: the insignia of the Society of the cine,
, natl Seventeen pieces IF glassware a
: also to ne seen among these new muaeu
exhibits. some of which are cut gla'
, but others are If the old style thin pre-: