The Coolidge examiner., 1931-01-16
GEORGE Wash
|NCTON' We'd
DING

So much has been "ti'jtn on the
more spectacular phase of George
Washington's life that it is some
times difficult to appreciate the
really human qualities of him. One
of the finest stories ever told OF
Washington is that of his courtshlp
/ of Mar, ha Custis and their subse-
ouent marriage. In this story are
revealed some of the best and most
attractive qualities of America
greatest hero. The firm, strong
wilIed leader Of men who unflinch-
;ngly would face death on the bat
lefield. found that he needed the
companionship and helpful counsel
of woman. Fortunately. he met
the sort Of woman he wanted 10
preside in his home, and they we're
married on January 6, 1859,
The story of George Washington's
marriage of Martha Custic is told
bv the division of information and
publication of the George Washing
ION Bicentennial commission, in a
statement intended to call attention
10 the 172nd anniversary of this no
table event.
Gorge Washington first met the
Widow Custis at The home DINA
ior Chamberlayne in May, 1I16 / he
lady had then been a widow for
abou year. She had married Col
onel Daniel Parke Custis when she
was seventeen years old, and was
left at his death eight years IL cr,
with two small children and L con
siderable fortune. Although 1t is
said hat washington was formally
presented to Mrs GUSTS for the
first time by Chamberlayno it IS
almost certa n that the famous
soldier and the charming widow
had at least heard of each other
before this time.
Fate must have taken hand in
the events of that day in May wnen
Colonel Washington was detained
at Williams Ferry over the Pamun-
key by his friend, Major Chamber
layne, who earnes ly pressed upon
the young man an invitation TO
stay hs journey and enjoy the hos
nitality of the plan alton. But
Washington was fastening to WI
limsburg where he intended to ask
the governor in person for men and
supplies for he frontier, which
previous urgent letters had failed
to obtain. Chamberlayne was insist
ent. however, and when it appeared
that all his opportunities must fail
to alter the plans Of the Colonel,
he informed the latter that he was
then entertaining the charming
Mrs. Custis. This argument, appar-
en- lv. was potent enough to cen
vince the young warrior where all
others had been vain, and Wash
ington consented to remain only
long enough to partake of The meal
which was then being prepared.
Bishop, the personal servant of
Washington, who had served under
Braddock, was instructed to hold
the Colonel's horse in readiness for
a speedy departure as soon as din
ner was over The Old soldier knew
very well his masters reputation
for punctuality, and since the bust
ness at Williamsburg was import
ant. he fully expected that this
wait would be a brief one. But
the dinner hour passed, the sun
sank lower into the west, and still
Washington fingered. At last in the
warm dusk of the May evening, the
faithful Bishop received orders to
stable the horses for the night and
the journey was postponed until
the next day.
There was something amusing IN
this scene of budding romance, al
though it is no wonder that Wash
ington tarried Martha Custis was
beautiful, attractive and accom-
plished. She has been described as
being short, slightly plump and OF
engaging personality. Certainly the
Coloners interst in the lady was
matched by her own interest in the
renowned young soldier, and such
mutual agreeableness was surely
cnffi0ieDf IN crowd mosaic hUSl-