Evening star., 1937-12-05

whose father at one time owned it. His
name was George, and his father was
the eldest son Of George Mason, author
Of the famous historical document, a
photostat copy of which Mr.. Louis A.
Hertle, Gunston Halls patriotic and
historically minded latter day owner,
has caused to be displayed upon the
walls of its colonial authors home.
Miss Chase herself was born on
Duke street, Alexandria, Old Christ
Church in the towns midst was the
parish in which she was confirmed and
where she early became interested in
trying to carry out those precepts of
the Golden Rule by which she has tried
to steer her life.
During her early girlhood her FAM
lily lived at Green Spring plantation,
from which she was sent into Alex
andria to school. later attending the
Kleinberg Female Academy in Nelson
County, Va. Here Miss Chase special
lied in Latin, French and German.
acqultting herself SO creditably in
these subjects that upon the presenta-
ton OF her record to the examining
board OF the University of Virginia
she was forthwith permitted to take
its examinations in these subjects.
To her belongs the distinction of being
one of the first women ever to be ac-
corded this privilege. In her posses
sion Miss Chase has the certificate of
the University Of Virginia, signed
by Charles S. Yenable. George Fred
erlck Holmes and Francis H. Smith
as the Committee Of Examiners for
the faculty Of the university, dated
April, 1890, atttesting that her general
average as the result of these exam
nations was "a. Her interest in these
Languages Miss Chase has ALWAYS
mintained, and she likes nothing bet
ter today than to guide a youngter
who is having difficulty with them
toward greater proficiency.
Other treasured mementos which We
were privileged to view with interest
were various historical letters and
acknowledgements of valuable gifts on
the part of her immediate family to
v. L
Miss Chase keeps in a little mahogany
chest with brass handle. name plate
and escutcheons, which according to
family tradition belonged to William
Mason Of Mattowan. second son of
George. and which was fashioned on
his plantation by an English cabinet
maker
Her mothers father was a corre-
spondent of James Madison and a
letter dated July 6, from him. dis
cusses certain issues of the time.
Miss Chase's great-grandfath ther,
Mason, fought through the Revolu-
tlonary War and at its close was the
recipient Of a Damascus blade, one
OF several sent over by the King of
Spain to George Washington with the
request that he accept one and pre-
sent the others to the bravest young
officers in his army. This symbol of
Valor now is in the custody of the
Virginia Historical Society. Also on
exhibit there are two old pistols which
once belonged to Miss Chases great
grandfather. They did Revolutionary
service and were likewise carried in
the War of 1912.
Into the safekeeping of the Virginia
Society Miss Chase's Mason kin have
also committed the Bible belongings to
the author of the Bill of Rights. with
his name inscribed upon its fly leaf.
Perhaps the most interesting of all
| the certification of acknowledgment
from the Virginia Historical Society
which Miss Chase cherishes is the
letter OF appreciation to her mothers
| brother, George Mason of Spring
Bank, where Miss Chase herself came
to live with her family when she was
a little girl. 1t is dated 1881. addressed
George Mason, Esq, Alexandria
Virginia" and voices the society's
gratitude for the gift of the oaken
table belonging to George Mason OF
Gunston Hall upon which he penned
the Bill of Rights
| Miss Chase,s auburn hair still re-
tains the coppery glints which gave
| her the childhood soubriquet of
Little Redhead," and she is incredibly
active and ardent in her interest In
the work for the Church Periodical
Club.
"Treasuring memories and me-
mentos Of my illustrious Mason for
BEARS" Miss Church said, "is all very
right and proper, but the really salts
flying things in my life today, have
to do with giving youngsters a boost
with their Latin, when need arises,
and being just as useful as possibly
can in helping keep the flow of cards
and books and periodicals going to
those who are cheered by them in
hospitals, warehouses and jails, homes
for the aged and INDECENT. orphanages,
mission posts and distant ones, light
ship and life-saving stations and
sailors homes" All of this she added
in a quite breathless hurry, as il
conversation in itself were all very
well, but that 1t behooved her to be
up and doing about the very many
errands for others which fill her days