THE Subject of our Memoir, a Belle, in her early Years, in the Capital of Virginia—Her Disposition and Appearance-Maiden Name-Place and Date of her Birth-Descent-Education-Mental Endowments- Her early Matrimonial Engagement-Opposition of Col. Custis' Fa- ther-The Marriage of Miss Dandridge-Removal to the Plantation of her Husband-Name and Situation of the Residence of Col. Custis -Character and Hospitality of Col. Custis-Mrs. Custis an American Matron-Becomes a Mother-Her Domestic Happiness-The Death of her Eldest Son-Death of Col. Custis-Anecdote-Strength of Mind displayed by Mrs. Custis-Her two remaining Children-Her Religious Principle-Business Abilities of Mrs. Custis-Active At- Mrs. Custis a beautiful and fascinating Widow-The White House again the Seat of Hospitality-Mrs. Custis for some time not tempted to re- marry-Meets Col. Washington-His undisguised Admiration of the fair Widow-Their Engagement-The War-Steed and Servant of the Soldier the Victims of Cupid's arts-Preparations for the Wedding- The Distinguished Character of the Assemblage-The "Pride, Pomp CHAPTER III. PAGE Date of the Marriage of Col. and Mrs. Washington-They remove from the White House to Mount Vernon-Origin of the Name of Washington's Plantation-Washington's desire to render his Home worthy of its Mistress-Memoranda of Articles ordered from London-Peculiar Characteristics of Domestic Life in the Colonies-Mrs. Washington assumes her new Duties-Washington relieves her from the Charge of her Pecuniary Affairs-Mrs. Washington conducts the Education of her Children-Again the Wife of a Virginia Planter-Anecdote of Washington-Mrs. Washington's Journeys from Home-Her Friendships and Hospitalities-Distinguished Visitors at Mount VernonMrs. Washington's Charity, conscientious Care of Dependants, Piety, and Domestic Contentment-Her Pleasure as her Daughter advances towards Womanhood-The Death of Miss Custis-Grief of the Family-Date of Miss Custis' Death-Signs of approaching War-Washington leaves Home to attend the First Congress 113 CHAPTER IV. Mrs. Washington does not accompany her Husband to PhiladelphiaWashington is appointed Commander-in-Chief of the American Army-This Intelligence first communicated to Mrs. Washington in a Letter from her Husband-The LETTER-Mrs. Washington determines to repair to the Seat of War-LETTER from Washington to his Brother Mrs. Washington's supposed Danger at Mount VernonPublic Reception at Philadelphia-She is invited to a Ball-Annoying Proof of Popular Disaffection-Leaves Philadelphia-LETTER from Washington to Joseph Reed, Esq.-Mrs. Washington's Accommodations at Cambridge-LETTER from Washington to Joseph Reed, Esq. -Mrs. Washington's Piety and Serenity of Mind-She gains the Regards of all about her, and the Appellation of "Lady Washington❞— She takes Leave of her Husband and Son and returns to Mount Vernon CHAPTER V. Mrs. Washington establishes a Domestic System suited to the TimesHer Success in Domestic Manufactures-Mrs. Washington's peculiar interest in Public Affairs-Her Indignation at the Treachery meditated towards the Commander-in-Chief, and her Delight when informed of the successful Passage of the Delaware 128 142 CHAPTER VI. PAGE Washington goes into Winter Quarters-Mrs. Washington joins him in the Camp-Her Husband's Care and Attention during her Yearly Journeys-Mrs. Washington travels in her own Carriage, attended by a Military Escort-The Example of Mrs. Washington generally followed by the Wives of the principal Officers of the Army-Mrs. Washington the Favorite of the Army-Anecdote-The Cheerfulness and Equanimity of Mrs. Washington, while residing in the Camp-Her Society highly valued by the Commander-in-Chief-Anecdote-Mrs. Washington devotes herself to the care of the Sick and Suffering-She forms many agreeable Friendships-Her Correspondence at this Time -EXTRACT FROM A LETTER-Mrs. Washington's intimate Association with the Heroes of the Revolution 147 CHAPTER VII. Mrs. Washington's return to Mount Vernon, in the Spring of 1777-Reassumes the personal Charge of Family Affairs-Supplies the Place of her Husband at Home-Ready to return to Camp in the Autumn -The Army at Valley Forge-Passage from one of Mrs. Washington's LETTERS-Christian Faith and Fortitude of Mrs. Washington -Spring brings cheering Tidings from France-Active Movements in the Camp-Mrs. Washington again repairs to her Home-Mrs. Washington's Winter at Valley Forge a Type of many successive SeasonsThe Location of Head-Quarters-The Marquis de Chastelleux the Guest of Gen. and Mrs. Washington, in the Camp-EXTRACT-Mrs. Washington neglected by the Philadelphia Ladies-She is hospitably received elsewhere-Mrs. Washington visits Mrs. Barry, of New Jersey-A Ball given in Honor of her Arrival-The Equipage, Attendants and Dress of Mrs. Washington at this time-The Commanderin-Chief dances at the Ball-The Anniversary of the National Alliance with France celebrated by a Ball, at which Mrs. Washington is present-The Respect entertained for Mrs. Washington in EuropeReported Present from the Queen of France-The Marriage of Mrs. Washington's Son, Col. Custis-Her Daughter-in-law resides at Mount Vernon-Repeated Illness of the Commander-in-Chief-Mrs. Washington's Health impaired-She is Inoculated for the Small-pox -Mrs. Washington's Appearance at this Period of her Life-Grandchildren claim the Care and Affection of Mrs. Washington-Her Occupations and Amusements-Prospects of Peace-Mrs. Washington's Anticipations of Domestic Felicity--She is summoned to the Deathbed of her Son-Particulars respecting Col. Custis' Public Career, Illness and Death-Washington's Grief on this Occasion-His Sympathy with Mrs. Washington 158 CHAPTER VIII. PAGE Date of Col. Custis' Death-Mrs. Washington devotes herself more entirely to the Charge of her Grand-children-She remains at Mount Vernon-Her Hospitality and Benevolence-Her Husband returns to Mount Vernon-Passage from one of Washington's LETTERS to the Marchioness de La Fayette-Proposed Enlargement and Improvement of the Mansion and Grounds of Mount Vernon-The manifold Occupations of Mrs. Washington-Her Industry, Method, Domestic Discipline, Personal Neatness, Courtesy and Conversation at Table, Regular Devotional Exercises-Mrs. Washington a Lady of the "Old School"-Complimentary Testimony of the Marquis de Chastelleux -The Grand-children of Mrs. Washington the Favorites of Mount Vernon-Numerous Visitors at Mount Vernon-Mrs. C. Maccauley Graham-The Marquis de La Fayette the Guest of Gen. and Mrs. Washington-Expectations of a Visit from the Marchioness-LETTER from Washington to Madame de La Fayette-The Marquis returns to Mount Vernon before leaving the Country-Proofs of the continued Friendship cherished by the distinguished Military Companions of the Commander-in-Chief-Her Husband continually associates Mrs. Washington with himself in his Correspondence with his FriendsFew present traces of Mrs. Washington's Letters-Illustrative Extract-Devotion of Gen. and Mrs. Washington to the Practical Duties of their Station-Their Self-Denial-Order for Plate countermanded-Donation to a Literary Institution-Mrs. Washington's Pleasure at the Adoption of the Federal Constitution by her Native State-Public Rejoicings in the City of Alexandria-Mrs. Washington's Patriotism and Philanthropy 177 CHAPTER IX. Election of Washington to the Presidency-Mrs. Washington's Reluctance to leave Home-LETTER from Mrs. Washington to a Female Friend-Journey from Mount Vernon to the City of New YorkThe Bridge at Trenton and the Inauguration -- Mrs. Washington in High Station-Propriety of State and Ceremony in the Presidential Establishment-Mrs. Washington's Domestic Arrangements-Her Levees-The Levees and Dinners of the President-State Dress of the President-Particular Ceremonies of the National Fête DaysDistinguishing Attention paid to Mrs. Montgomery and to Mrs. Green-Respect paid to the Sabbath by the President and Mrs. Washington-The Revolutionary Soldiers always welcomed to the Presidential Mansion-Mrs. Washington receives the Attention due to her exalted Position with proper Self-Respect-She never converses in Public upon Political Subjects-Mr. Washington passes a PAGE Portion of each Summer at Mount Vernon-Still regardful of the Interest and Improvement of her Grand-children-Preparations for the final Departure of President and Mrs. Washington from the Seat of Government-Leave-takings, and Bestowment of Tokens of Remembrance and Regard . 198 CHAPTER X. Mrs. Washington returns permanently to Mount Vernon-Pleasing Results of former Improvements there-The Domestic Happiness of Mrs. Washington and her Family-Sudden Illness of WashingtonThe overwhelming Grief of Mrs. Washington-The Death of the Father of his Country-Mrs. Washington leaves, never to return, the Apartments she had occupied with her Husband-The Grief of a Nation-The Remains of WASHINGTON yielded to the Government -Mrs. Washington's confident Hope in the Eternal Felicity of her Husband-Her deep Grief and Christian Fortitude-Mrs. Washington continues her former Attention to the active Duties of Life--In her 69th year-The Health of Mrs. Washington is undermined-She becomes seriously Ill-She is conscious of her approaching Dissolution-The Death-bed of Mrs. Washington-She calmly expiresDate of Mrs. Washington's Death-Her Place of Sepulture 216 Appendix to Martha Washington 229 |