Evening star., 1916-02-20

belongings to the government. The
Lewis family. although loath to yield
up its cherished family heirlooms, en-
tered into the spirit of the request, and
in 1878 transferred to the United States
government almost a hundred articles
which had been given by, or inherited
from. George and Martha Washington.
These articles today form by far the
greater part of the Washingtoniana in
the United States National Museum at
Washington. where they are designat-
ed the Lewis collection; and through
them thousands yearly see the articles
of household use and adornment. most
of them in an admirable state of pres
ervation. which surrounded the daily
life of the first President of the United
States.
When this REIMBURSEMENT of their
treasured belongings took place each
branch of the Lewis family, in direct
line from both the Washington and
Custis families, reserved few treas
ured mementos to speak personally TO
them of their own particular relation
with their past.
Today George Washington Lewis, the
fifth in direct descent from Maj. Law
renee Lewis and his wife. the former
Nellie Custis, lives on the banks of the
Potomac. some ten miles above Mount
Vernon. and in his home are reserved a
few of the original treasures of Mount
rage home of the daughter of Mount
Vernon. These mementos have been
closely guarded. and but few people
know of their existence.
In the library at this home on the
Potomac is quaint mahogany desk,
relic probably of Mount Vernon, either
gift or bequeathment to Nellie
Custis from her grandparents. The
style is that of the well known eight
eenth century bureau of stout English
make. with roomy drawers beneath the
sloping top, which, when dropped for
writing. reveals a fascinating interior
of pigeonholes and drawers. with
carved columns that pull out and form
secret repositories. Unobservable
springs, yielding to a touch. open other
hooks and corners and drawers for
concealing notes and currency, records
and chronicles, the lack of safes and
vaults making such secret places nee
essary in the olden days.
1t is within the bounds of possibility
that it was to this bureau in his IL
brary at Mount Vernon, in his final
hours of life. Gen. Washington sent his
wife for his last will and testament,
which SO carefully directed the dis
tribution of his affairs.
This desk contains letters from Nellie
Custfs, and other personal papers of
interest. One letter is to her son, and
is addressed to Lorenzo Lewis, Esq, of
Audley, near Battle Town. Fredk
County" 1t is dated Woodlawn, Oc-
tober 3, 1881, and commences. MY
Darling Son." Written in a fine, clear
hand. she tells of home happenings in
an interesting and sprightly way, warns
him to care for his health, and closes,
May God bless you. Your devoted
mother, E. +. Lewis"
Above this desk hangs deed, the
whole hand-written on parchment, con-
veying a royal grant of 1000 acres
of land on the Kanawha river, to
George Washington. 1t is dated "15
day of December. 1772." and bears the
bold signature of Dunmore. while the
royal seal of England's king. with its
blue ribbon faded to dingy yellow,
makes valid the transfer. Beside the
desk hangs an admirably engraved
likeness of Zachary Taylor. in a hand
some mahogany frame. This was a gift
of the twelfth President of the United
States to his warm friend, Nellie Custis.
Upstairs. A big chest of drawers
once used in one of the great square