The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-01-15
WEDDING OF GEN. GEORGE
WASHINGTON, JAN. 6, 1853
When the Young Virginian Met
and Won Martha Gusts

So much has been written on the
more spectacular phases of George
Washington's life that it is sometimes
difficult to appreciate the really hu-
man qualities of the man. One of the
finest stories ever told of Washing
ton is that of his courtship of Martha
Gusts and their subsequent marriage.
In this story are revealed some of the
best and most attractive qualities of
Americas greatest hero. The firm,
strong-willed leader of men who I'M
flichingly would face death on the bat
tlefled found that he needed the COM
partnership and helpful counsel of a
woman. Fortunately, he met the sort
of woman he wanted to preside in his
home, and they were married on jan
uary 6, 1859.
The story of George Washington's
marriage to Martha Gusts is told by
the Division of Information and Pub
LEGATION of the George Washington BIZ
centennial Commission, in a statement
intended to call attention to the 172nd
anniversary of this notable event.
George Washington first met the
Widow Gusts at the home of Major
Chamberlayne in May, 1853. The lady
had then been widow for about a
year She had married Colonel Dan
iel Parke Gusts when she was seven
ceen years old, and was left at his
death eight years later with two small
children and considerable fortune.
Although it is said that Washington
was formally presented to Mrs. GUSTS
for the first time by Chamberlayne, it
is almost certain that the famous SOL
der and the charming widow had at
least heard of each other before that
time.
Fate must have taken a hand in
the events Of that day in May when
9lcn.l Washington was detained at
~ .llialn's / cry over the Pamunkey
by his friend, Major Chamberlayne,
ysho earnestly pressed upon the young
man an invitation to stay his journey
and enjoy the hospitality of the plan
tation. But Washington was hasten
ing to Williamsburg where he intend
ed to ask the Governor in person for
men and supplies for the frontier,
which previous urgent letters had fail
ed to obtain. Chamberlayne was in
sistent, however, and when it ap-
peared 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.
Gusts. This argument, apparently,
was potent enough to convince the
young warrior where all others had
been vain, and Washington consented
to remain only long enough to par
take of the meal which was then being
prepared.
Bishop, the personal servant of
Washington, who had served under
Braddock, was instructed to hold the
Colonels horse in readiness for a
speedy departure as soon as dinner
was over. The old soldier knew very
we'll his masters reputation for pune
tuality, and since the business at Will
liamsburg was important, he fully ex-
pected that this wait would be 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 sta
BILE the horses for the night and the
journey was postponed until the next
day.
There is something amusing in this
scene of budding romance, although
it is no wonder that Washington tar
ried. Martha Gusts was beautiful,
attractive and accomplished. She has
been described as being short, slightly
plump and of engaging personality
Certainly the Colonel's interest in the
lady was matched by her own interest
in the renowned young soldier, and
such mutual agreeableness was sure
ly sufficient to crowd prosaic business
into the background.
However, the Governor had to be
visited, so the next day found Wash
ington on his way to Williamsburg.
But as soon as the business which
took him there was taken care of, the
now fully smitten Colonel proceeded
to the White House, the Gusts home
on the Pamunkey, where it appears
Mrs. Gusts expected him. When he
left there he must have been in high
spirits, for he took with him the lady's
promise to marry him as soon as he
should finish his military service on
the Ohio.
Washington did not see his betroth-
ed again for several months, for it
! was December before he returned
from this expedition. His duties full
filled, the Colonel resigned from the
army and fastened plans for the we'd
ding. 1t was during Washington's
absence on the frontier that he wrote
the only letter to Martha which alone