Evening star., 1932-02-21

the manor Of his father-in-law, COL cambridge,
that he took the name for his residence when
he became President, changing the name Of
the executive mansion from THE Palace" to
THE White House." -
For years after his marriage he made fire.
quent visits to his mother who, from 1760 until
1774. lived alone on the Ferry Farm with her
slaves and servants He tells frequently of visits
there and of looking over the plantation, which
stirl belonged to him and remained in his
possession until 1t was sold to Hugh Merce.
His actual life at the Ferry Farm ceased hov.
ever, in about 1853, when he first moved tD
Mount Vernon.
that Mrs. Washington and George, who wee
devoted to each ether, had frequent small mis-
understandings. He had married a wealthy
woman. he owned Mount Vernon and he was
now himself wealthy. George insisted that his
mother should live somewhere else, and in bette
style. as did her other children, but she w;s
an independent lady and she continued to live
simply where she was
She was q frequent visitor to Fredericksburs.
during the residence Of the family and then OF
herself alone at Ferry Farm, over period OF
36 years, and her itinerary was always the same
She drove in q buggy, ferried across, and would
stop sometimes at Thomas Thcfntonb tavern.
She always went to Hugh Aercers apothecar'
shop, where George. for years, Kept desk fc~
would 60 to TIE Htsne Sun Tavern to see !.
Charles Or Samuel were about and to get he:
mail from deorse Weedon, master Of the posi-,
and to talk TO any ladies and gentlemen who
might be about, for the place was . kind of
sociN center. Here she always had her ing
nTed II It had run dry, and then she would
dine with or visit Betty, at Kenmore, before
going back to her duties at Ferry Farm.
She was . handsome old lady, erect SELF
reliant and businesslike. In the long struggle
ut the Ferry Farm, and the earlier residenceS.
she had learned to economic, and she con-
tinued to live frugaIly. It was not until age
was beginning to tell ON her, and the Revolution
was almost certain, in 1774, that she moved
into q small house In Fredericksburg, which
George and Charles had built for her upon
part Of Kenmore tract. From her back door to
Kenmore q walkway was built, and along this
she planted boxwood, some Of which now stands
close to her quaint little home, reaching almost
Is high as the roof. She worked in her flower
garden daily, and on nice afternoons walked to
Meditation Rocks, . ledge projecting over a
small valley on the edge Of Kenmore, where
she read her Bible.
The little house where Mrs. Washington lived
until her death In 1889 is spot where one may
summon mental picture Of the old lady and
her surroundings. It is strongly built, with
an outdoor kitchen with big pot-hooks tn
wide fireplace, and IS smaller reproduction of
I1C AAOOcC OA4 CC1Ay m 1ACA 4uAAtu1C WSh
Of her era and was simple. She served her
visitors ginger cakes and wine, and, while she
was dignihed she was entertaining and did not
lack vtvacity or humor, and all the towsrs-
people, and those nearby, were friends and
admirers Of hers. George visited her often, but
he usually spent the nights at Kenmore or
with Charles On one of his last visits to his
home town he took her over to see the Ferry
Farm at her urging, and they looked at the
farm and house and even the old mill On the
run, and probably talked Of bygone days.
She admired George immensely and once said
Of him, George was always good boy" In
politics she was unafterably opposed to him.
believing that rebellion was treason and cling
ing with Tory tenAcity to the King. After
George became commander Of the Continental
Armies some one spoke Of the great honor given
him and her only reply was, II am afraid the
King will catch George and hang him yet"
). Washington and Rochambeau passed through
the town with their staffs on their way to
Yorktown and called upon Mrs. Washington.
After the surrender the First Peace ball was
held at Fredericksburg In the old Assembly
Han, and all Of the prominent French and
American officers and the ladies and gentle
men Of the nearby plantations and the town
were present. This was on November II, 1se1,
strangely enough the same day and month as
the World War armistice. General Washington
brought all the officers In groups to see his
mother and next day lafayette came again
to see her, with George. She served ginger
cakes, wine and fruit and said to LaFayette:
1T is hard to realize you are great general.
Why, you are nothing but boy" lafayette
spoke to her afterward with the deepest re-
spect.
She went to the Peace Ball with the marquis
as her escort, and enjoyed it greatly, but left
at 10 O'Clock saying It was time for her ito
be abed" She also attended the second Peace
Ball at Fredericksburg in 1783 after the treaty
with England was signed.
Washingtons connection with all these places
was very intimate. m speech which is spread
Fredericksburg "the home Of my growing in
fancy" infancy then meaning one under 81
years Of age. He also wrote that he must stop
playing cards with these young fellows at the