The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, February 21, 1901, Image 3
Ira" | ^
EOIIGE WASHINGTON was j
| X accustomed to say that for J
\ (j"T~ everything ho was and had
^ and did he was indebted to his
mother. Martha Washington, who j
shared his life, is a familiar character.
but Mary Washington, the mother, is j
comparatively an unknown woman.
Portrait painters were not numerous
in the early days, and not a picture (
was left of the mother of Washington. :
She is described, however, as having
been of medium height, with a round
ed. matronly ligure, and having a
clearly marked face, strong and lirm. '
which that of her son is said to have
resembled. Indeed, there were those
who said that her rugged features
were more like those of a man than a
woman.
(Jeorge was the oldest of six children.
and he \va ; only twelve years of
ag.* when his father died and Mary
Washington was compelled to assume
the duties of both father and mother.
The family was dwelling near Fredericksburg
at the time, for the birthplace
of tJeorge had been destroyed by lire
and a new house built near the Rappahannock.
Mrs. Wasuington was
kind in her manner, but not de
monstrntive. 1 liorc vfts n uovouc ic- j
lipious atmosphere in th* home.
>
Ig^isy:
wflfe
(From Leslie'? Monthly.)
THE BIRTHPLACE OF W ASHXNOTOK,
WESTMOIiELAXD COUXTX, MKU1MA.
(The house is no longer standing, but its
site is marked by an appropriate inouf
ument.)
The style of living was almost severe
in its simplicity. This was a part of
her faith, for in after years, when the
problem of existence was happily
solved and she might have had a share
in what was considered luxury for the
times, she still maintained the quiet
and simplicity of her early life. Strong,
true, decided. Lafayette described lier
as being a mother who belonged to the
type of earlier days like the Spartan ;
or the Roman, rather than to the worn- j
en of her own times. And George's :
half-brother. Lawrence, for Mary uan i
was the second wife of Augustine J
Washington, was accustomed to say
that in all his life he had never met a
woman of whom he stood more in awe
or whom lie more deeply respected
than Mary Washington.
The care of the estate was left to j
Mrs. Washington by her husband, and
like the pruoent woman that she was, 1
she looked well to the ways of her
[
^ ' <+" ' ' -- ...
/ov.v fAVv ' *' j CVV '- i --' '"X-t"*
GENERAL WASHINGTON J
household. In an old-fashioned open '
chaise she used to drive to her little '
farm near Fredericksburg. She rode ^
about the fields, inspected her crops
and buildings and insisted upon the i
men whom she employed doing exactly j
what she told them. It is recorded .
that one time one of her agents had ,
ventured to follow his own judgment
Instead of her directions. She rebuked
him sharply, saying: "I command
you. there is nothing left for .
you hut to obey." lu the duties of;
^JU B G?
tho homo and carc of her lands the
time passed, and at last her son was
appointed Commander-in-Chief of the
armies of tho newly-born nation. Her
love and counsels had aided him thus
far.
Matha Washington oonld in a measure
share in some of the camp experiences
of her husband, but Mary, the
mother, must be kept in quiet and seclusion
more appropriate to her age.
Near Fredericksburg the General found
a nice protected and secluded place
for her. and from time to time her suspense
was relieved by the messages he
cWi?Vi>*3: rr.J5.?
- I'fkr,.hf v- -
rryjyjl^. i* ,
L ;c _^cr~'- -"n>- ?-:Jil
IF you please. via may laud G*o*ge
up lo tltt skits. - fC&
As.the man who won battles and rgT^
Yoj may_te!1 ol his virtues Th~i:oiy
and song: l
Haw he carefully sifted ihe right
from the wrong; BlB8$s!fs;
Df his wisdom In tfour.s:!. Ms
bravery In war; . W{ R3K?S?jjJ
Hew he drove the grim British
away from our shore. \ gu uS??Sh
.You may cherish forever his hat W'N^?^
and his sword.' '?\vSg|S
And up to the skies Our^ brave
Washington laud.
Long, long may we hold Mm an.
example to youth.
For honesty temperance, courage
'and tryth.
sent lier. One iuouleut in particular
is recalled. It whs after the battle of
Trenton, and the hearts of all the patriots
had been stirred to fresh courage.
The men who brought her word
were loud in their praises of her son.
and their praises were just, but Mary
Washington received the message
calmly, although she did not attempt
to conceal her pleasure while she disclaimed
all the plaudits of her son.
When the word was brought to her
that Cornwallis had surrendered at
Yorktown she lifted her hands toward
i.?Tt-njimit n n>.ir. and sneak
lll'lltl-il, MWC ..
inir calmly, she sail: ''Thank God;
War will now be ended, and jvace. independence
and happiness bless our
country!" Then she said: "I am not
surprised at what George has done, for
he was always a very good boy."
Alone, except with his friend Lafayette.
without horses or attendants, the
great commander came back to his
mother's house. She was told that the
hero of the times, the man whom all
the country was praising, was at the
door. But whatever he was to others
Pfern .C
a j \> y
IP % 0 0 a -h^r7
-ww -K- j^ y{\L ?
tND HIS AGED MOTHER.
ho was still her boy, and in a moment
she had folded him in a warn*' cmbrace,
such as she used to give him
when as a little fellow he climbed into
her lap. Again she called him by the
fond names she had used in his childhood,
and though she marked the furrows
which his struggles had traced
deep in his face, her every thought was
of him. not of the name he had won,
and we are told that in that interview
between mother and son she said not
one word of his fame or glory.
Washington had just been elected
the first President of the United States,
but before he accepted the high otliee
~~A
f?
'ia.
I jjl
I
MONUMENT TO MART, MOTHER Or WASIIIXGTON,
AT FBEDEBICK8BUBG.
1 he weut onee more to see 1)is mother, '
v. ho was sufferin;: at the time from au
aeute disease. The story of the interview
is simple yet almost sublime.
"The people, madam," said WasliinaI
J_
:<B iS. if
,.
N
f . ; ' sr., S>
v'v "'....', :'\H: '
S&m ?&??"^;"v '4. ' - ? > '..'',V;-.\
* |g||
?i^mc... %i
I "Iinvn hf.i.ll nlnilSCMl. AVitll tllO f I
most flattering unanimity, to elect me ; !
to the Chief Magistracy of the United 1
States, but before I ran assume the ;
1 functions of that office I have come to J
j Ithi you an affectionate farewell. So j
soon as the public business can ho (lis- | 1
posed of 1 shall hasten to Virginia, j I
and " lie could say no more, but
the mother, strong even in her weak!
imss. replied:"Vou will see me u<> more,
j My great age and tke disease that is
I rapidly approaching my vitals, warn
me that I am not long for this world.
' I trust in (lod, 1 am somewhat pre
pared for a better. t;ut ko. "fuisc,
fulfil the high destinies which heaven
appears to assign to you; go, my son.
' and may heaven's and your mother's
blessing be with you always."
Before the President's return to Virj
ginia Mary Washington had passed
away at the ripe age of eighty-five. A
monument at Fredericksburg marked
the place where all that was mortal
i was placed.
WASHINGTON'S WEDDINC.
I Attended With as Much romp and Splendor
n* a Itoyal Marriage.
"In a suit of blue and silver with
scarlet trimmings, and a waistcoat of ]
white satin embroidered with buckles
of gold on his knee garters and on his
shoes, his hair powdered and by his '
side a dress sword, the bridegroom
(Washington) towered above most of
his companions," writes William Per
rino, of "When Washington was Mar- j.
rit'il," iu the Ladies' Homo Journal.
"Mrs. (Justis, his bride, did not reach
higher than his shoulders when she
stood with him before the old Episcopal
clergyman in his full canonicals.
The mistress of the 'White House*
wore a costume which had also come .
from London. In her hair and ears
were ornaments of pearl; she wore
white satin slippers, and on the buckle
of each was a diamond. The sprightly
little matron, with light brown liair
and hazel eyes, had a plump and pleasing
figure, an easy and graceful car'
riage, a comely face and fine shoulders,
and with her throe bridesmaids,
and with the fine women of the fanii
lies ol' the neighboring domains in attendance,
there was a splendid display
of tli? charms and graces of Virginia
j womanhood. Nor were the men less
' distinguished. The country gentleI
men in their gayest raiment, and the
j provincial officers from Williamsburg
! in their uniforms, were headed by the
| gallant Lieutenant-Governor Fauquire. i
Around him stood a group of English
officers, hardly less showy in their
trappings, together with members ol
the Legislature and other civilians.
When the bride entereJ the coach,
which was bright with the Washington
colors of red and white, and drawn
by six horses guided by black postilions
in livery, the bridegroom did not
pntor with her. There was his favor
He horse, with his tnll body servant
holding tae reins and waiting for him
to mount. When Washington mounted
the richly caparlsoued charger he rode
by the side of the bridal coach, closely
followed by a cortege of gentlemen on
horseback."
WHEN WASHINGTON WAS A BOY
Portrait That Mimt Have ISeeD Made About
the Time He Cut Down the Cherry Tree.
This portrait was given by Washington
to his old friend. Captain Venamon,
with whose family he was intimate.
Captain Venamon died seventylive
years ago. and was buried at Marcus
Hook, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
about fifteen miles south of
Philadelphia. The family homestead
is still to be seen there. After the
Captain's death the picture passed
into the hands of his wife, who hequcnthed
it to her niece Maria Venamon
Williamson, who in turn left it to
? _ a ~ ? ? 1*^ ??onu /1 oftni*
utT (uumiifr. ? II? I.IIUII U .niw
the Vennmon family. This daughter
married a Mr. Baker, and died about
seven years ago. The picture then be.
a
\^\
1 tn *:.n us pise Wirt itelfght e? a
s;r-;'.i!r? so p:in.*.
>'. \V Lil us !-.cr.?r its bonier
ii<s? V\ est t':e r'n.
K&VH Atii r?" cf i"'-'ts
Xxvla
|V y\} $} Small stor.e upen s:cn*. firmly fix<1
lag'them thcr-:
; A'.d though this tray be but a tfrf's
vv\-/.'V poir.i of view.
t?$ /'/Y Let ui give cfcd.t where it .Is cer^
' y talr.ly dee.
"jj/ii/, And piuck .'rem his laurels cnc.haf
/or another.
^ '/ ?o three cheers for our Cecrge. ar.d
$/.-/ .four for his irftther.
<//f
fly . ' K..rc??tt 3. U?ft-?oo?
fame the property of her daughter.
Miss Margnrettn II. Baker. Hiss Baiter's
uncle (her mother's brother). Mr.
Williamson, is still living at St. Michitl's,
Md. lie is now seventy-one
rears of age. Ills wife is also living
with him. Mr. Williamson remembers
that the picture was given by
If
If' I \S
i'F? i 4
:! ^ ^:
Mrs. Vonamon to his mother, Maria
Venamon Williamson, who gave it to
licr own daughter.
"He Never Slopped Over."
iicorge Washington, George Within;'.ca,
A modest n;.n were you.
i'ou never jet your fancy run
To frivolous adc.
v*.-.,, toM.wi r recessions grand
For love o: mere display;
Fuu on);- sought to help your land
And went your simple way.
Jto*-~e \Vi;shir.2tc.T!. (Icorge Washington,
Th-".'h darincd c.i raicn,
" - :vc.* thought thut it was fun
To make a n odi. i-.vne.
F<>.shire? in you" i. ed grave
I." "v. ct-id somehow v:c\v
Fhe wry* we)'.-meaning men behavIn
ct.ijbratmy you.
?Washington St-*New
Century Itesolulion.
Resolved, That I. ? ?. of ?
. will do my host to make life
sunny to those around me; that I will
keep the irritation out of my voice, if
I cannot wholly root it from my miiul:
that I Avill look on the bright side ol
the "trying" people with whom I live.
?...i oVir>*v Miflm mr own brisrhl
>(UU lij IV ciiwn .* k. -_-CT
s'do; that I will take no notice of petty
things which will go wrong, ami try tc
lo contented wilii the condition ir
which I am placed. Also, Resolved
That I will not he discouraged if 1
fracture my resolution, but will do my
best to mend it and ?0 on as at flrst.Philadclphia
Record,
THE VOTE COUNTED
Congress Officially Declares McKinley
Elected,
LAST ACT IN ELECTORAL DRAMA.
Some Applause When Maryland's
Vote Was Announced ? Joint Ses?
sion of Congress.
Washington, D. C., Special.?The
ceremony of counting the electoral
. veto for President and Vice President
: cast at the election last Tall took
i place in the hall of the House of Rep'
re5entatlve3 at 1 o'clock Wednesday,
; at-a Joint sessicn of the Houso and
| Senate. The method of oouiKing the
I vote is described with great detail by
j the statute and wa3 followed literally.
! Greet crowds thronged the galleries.
! At 12:45 p. m., proceedings in the
| House wore suspended and five rows
! of seats upon the right of the hall
! were vacated for the members of the
i Senate. At one minute of 1 o'clock
the President pro tern, and members
i of the Senate were announced. The
i members of the House rose to receive
them while page boys carrying the
i caskets in which the electoral returns
were deposited took tnem to the
! clerk's desk. Senator Frye, president
j pro tem. Of the Senate, ascended the
! rostrum and took his place at the
I right of Speaker Henderson, to prej
gride over the joint session. Immediate|
Iy below Speaker Henderson and Sen:
ator Frye. at the clerk's de3k, were the
tellers of the two houses, Senators
Chandler, of New Hampshire, and Caf|
fery, of Louisiana, and Representa
lives Urcsvenor of Ohio, and Richard
son, of Tenno^co, flanked on either
I hand by the Secretary of the Senate,
| Mr. Bennett, a.nd the Clerk of the
i Hous<\ Mr. McDowell. Senator Fry?
1 rapped for order and announced the
; object of the session. Formal porJ
tions of the certificates, except in the
' case of Arkansas, were omitted. Th-ls
l excfjption was because one of the
electors had been absent and the Gov,
ernor had appointed a substituta The
; certificate was not challenged, howj
ever.
Senator Chandler road, in extenso,
i the certificate of the vote of Alabama
giving 11 votes for Wm. Jennings Bryan
of Nebraska, for President, and 11
votes for Adlai E. Stevenson, of Illinois,
-for Vice President. General
Grosvenor announced that Colorado
has cast four votes for Win. Jennings
Bryan, of Nebraska, for President and
; 4 for Theodore Roosevelt, of NewYork,
for Vice President. 'Oh no,"
shouted Mr. Richardson, one of the
Democratic tellers, while the assemblage
burst into laughter. Mr. Grosvenor
corrected the error and the announcement
of the vote of the several
! States t&ea proceeded in aipnaoeucai
order.
When Maryland's eight votes were
announced for McKinley and Roosevelt
there was slight applause. An;
other ripple of applause followed the
announcement of Nebraska's vote. It
| fell to the lot of Mr. GrosvenoT to an\
nounce the vote of the President's own
' State of Ohio, but Its announcement
j created no demonstration. On concluding
the list the tellers formally
ascertained the totals.
Senator Chandler announced the total
number of votes cast as 447, of
which Wm. McKinley, of Ohio, received
for President of the United
States 292; Wm. J. Bryan, Of Nebraska.
155. and of which Theodore Roose
1 ? T ft
V61X, OI 1WW lors, revcivtru im ? ?v-*7
President 292, and Adlai a Steveneon
155.
Thereupon Senator Frye proclaimed
the state of the vote as delivered to
him. This announcement of the state
of the vote by the President of the
Senate," said he, is by law, a sufficient
declarativn that Wm. McKinley,
of t.he State of Ohio, is elected President
of the United States, and that.
Theodore Roosevelt, of the State of
New York. Ls elected Vice President,
each for the term beginning .March 4.
1901, and will be entered together with
a. list of the votes on the journals of
the Senate and House of Represent
tatives."
Telegraphic Briefs.
A public school principal In New Orj
leans says that the ability to decipher
more or less obscure handwriting
quickly and accurately is ,in his opinion,
one orf the best possible tests of
general intelligence. He uses it quite
frequently in hie school, without letI
ting the pupil suspect what he is afI
ter.
The State of Oregon has issued war[
rants for over $100,00 within a year
j past for bounties for predatory wild
animals killed within its limits. The
: bounty is paid on scalps of coyotes,
wildcats, mountain lions, panthers,
cougars, gray v.olvas and timber
wolves.
A Ft. Poteroburg dispatch says that
oiT.\ ial advices from the governor of
Haku, the scene of the recent naptha
fires, says that the total loss of life
was 1 Tand that the loss of property
will not exceed i.200,000 rubles.
\ 'me Ixxidon Cor.rt Circular announces
King Edwaru's decision that the
court presentations during the reign
I of Queen Victoria, wiLl hold good for
the present reign.
I