Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-14
MEMENTOs OF THE GREAT
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

wrote the list is Of foolscap size. On
one sheet are two parallel lists, each
containing precisely "a items. One is
for John, years old, and the other
for Patsy. 4 years old.
The list is headed: "Sundries to be
shipped by Robt. Cary, Esq, g. Company
for use Of Master John and Miss Pat
sy Gusts: each to be charged to their
open accounts but both consigned to
George Washington, Potomack River"
This listing Is an illustration of
Washington's methodical ways. All ca
his accounts relating to his farm, his
other business enterprises, and all per-
sonal expenses were carefully listed.
He could at any time determine Just
how much was expended on any given
person or thing. Christmas gifts for
John and Patsy we're as carefully seq
regated as repairs to a mill.
Lists Show Personal Traits.
1t will be noted that Washington was
allowing a great deal of time in his
Christmas ordering. The order would
have to cross the Atlantic In a sailing
ship which could not hope to make the
voyage in much less than month.
Then the goods had to be assembled
and shipped back in the same way.
Adverse winds or storms sometimes de-
layed the ships for many weeks. Three
month passages were not unusual.
The Christmas list for children con-
tains mostly practical items, but also
there are such items as 10 shillings
worth of toys and "6 little books
proper for children for Master Gusts,
and for Patsy 81 fashionably dressed
baby, 10 shillings," and "other toys, 10
chfIlin0c - Thoy1 yr,I,t
sugar candy, 10 pounds brown sugar
candy"
For John there were ordered a pair
strong and neat shoes, 4 pair pumps"
Many other items of wearing apparel
look odd, but they were quite the thing
for 6-year-old boy in 1853. Among
them are Il pair handsome shoe and
knee buckles, silver" II light red
dufle cloak with silver frogs" al pair
black hair ribbons" with many hand
kerchiefs, stockings, combs and lace.
The whirns Of lady Of fashion II
| only years old were respected ~
the stepfather in ordering for Patsy.
He orders 20 caps, 2 pair ruf1es. 2
fuckers, bibs and aprons if fashionable
but not else" In ordering pocket
handkerchiefs 1t Is specified that they
must be small and fine" Laces and
linens galore are ordered and much
ribbon and eight pairs of kid nitts and
| four pairs of kid gloves with shoes and
| pumps. Then Cloth cloke" IS or
dered for Patsy, "a coat Of fashionable
SIX" and. Of all things for q 4-year-old
miss, a pair of stays"
For Martha Washington q separate
list contained cloths of all sorts: hats,
fuckers, caps, handkerchiefs and "6
pounds perfumed powder
This list was made out long before
the Revolution and the time in which
Washington was to prove himself a
great general and military strategist.
His military taste, however, at the age
OF ~, when this order was placed, is
clearly shown in an order for busts
to decorate his house Without an ex-
ception the busts ordered are Of great
generals: Alexander the Great, Julius
Caesar, Charles XII of Sweden. the
King OF Prussia. Prince Eugene and the
Duke Of Marlborough. That King of
Prussia" so listed by Washington. was
Frederick the Great, who afterward was
to send Washington a sword inscribed
"frcm the Oldest living general to the
| greatest"