Mary and Martha, the Mother and the Wife of George Washington

Cover
Harper & Brothers, 1886 - 348 Seiten
This historic volume features detailed biographies of Mary Ball Washington, the first President's mother, and Martha Dandridge Custis Washington, his wife. With his father dead by the time Washington was 11 and his wife spending many years beside him in military camps, these women played a vital role in the first President's childhood and adult life. Mary Ball married Augustine Washington in 1731 at the age of 17. She would go on to have six children, George, Betty, Samuel, John Augustine, Charles and Mildred, before her husband's death in 1743. Unlike most widows at the time, Mary would never remarry. She managed the estate and plantation where her family lived until her eldest son, George, came of age to take over. Mary would teach George everything he needed to know about managing the real estate and would inspire him to obtain more property and wealth in the days before his military and presidential career. Today, her home is a public museum, and a university in Fredericksburg, Virginia is named in her honor. Martha Custis was exceedingly wealthy even before she met George Washington. Shortly after their marriage in 1759, Washington led the Continental Army, and Martha traveled with him, spending many weeks in the Revolutionary War winter encampments at Valley Forge. One winter, Martha traveled ten days and hundreds of miles to be with her husband after a battle in 1777. After Washington was elected President, Martha opposed his accepting of the title, but continued to host events and important politicians in their home. She has been honored with memorials of various kinds, including having been the only woman whose portrait has appeared on the face of a U.S. currency note and the first American woman to be honored on a U.S. postage stamp. While they often do not receive much credit, these strong women taught him about business, provided him with great wealth, stayed with him during his long military career, and participated in politics by his side. They say behind every good man is a great woman, but in George Washington's case, he had two extraordinary ones.

Im Buch

Andere Ausgaben - Alle anzeigen

Häufige Begriffe und Wortgruppen

Beliebte Passagen

Seite 333 - Where may the wearied eye repose When gazing on the great; Where neither guilty glory glows, Nor despicable state ? Yes — one — the first — the last — the best— The Cincinnatus of the West, Whom envy dared not hate, Bequeathed the name of Washington, To make man blush there was but One !
Seite 256 - ... will be accompanied by feelings not unlike those of a culprit, who is going to the place of his execution , so unwilling 'am I, in the evening of a life nearly consumed in public cares, to quit a peaceful abode for an ocean of difficulties, without that competency of political skill, abilities and inclination, which are necessary to manage the helm.
Seite 133 - ... upon myself and given pain to my friends. This, I am sure, could not, and ought not, to be pleasing to you, and must have lessened me considerably in my own esteem. I shall rely, therefore, confidently on that Providence which has heretofore preserved and been bountiful to me, not doubting but that I shall return safe to you in the fall.
Seite 1 - A perfect Woman, nobly planned, To warn, to comfort, and command ; And yet a Spirit still, and bright With something of an angel 13 light. XV.— I WANDERED LONELY. 1804. I WANDERED lonely as a cloud...
Seite 50 - The Virginia troops showed a good deal of bravery, and were nearly all killed ; for I believe out of three companies that were there, scarcely thirty men are left alive.
Seite 319 - When the fire is beginning to kindle and your heart growing warm, propound these questions to it : Who is this invader ? Have I a competent knowledge of him ? Is he a man of good character ? A man of sense ? For, be assured, a sensible woman can never be happy with a fool.
Seite 305 - To the wearied traveller, who sees a resting-place, and is bending his body to lean thereon, I now compare myself; but to be suffered to do this in peace, is too much to be endured by some. To misrepresent my motives, to reprobate my politics, and to weaken the confidence which has been reposed in my administration, are objects, which cannot be relinquished by those who will be satisfied with nothing short of a change in our political system.
Seite 53 - Honored Madam : If it is in my power to avoid going to the Ohio again, I shall ; but if the command is pressed upon me by the general voice of the country, and offered upon such terms as cannot be objected against, it would reflect dishonor on me to refuse it...
Seite 50 - I luckily escaped without a wound, though I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me.
Seite 319 - Love is said to be an involuntary passion, and it is, therefore, contended that it cannot be resisted. This is true in part only, for like all things else, when nourished and supplied plentifully with aliment, it is rapid in its progress ; but let these be withdrawn, and it may be stifled in its birth, or much stinted in its growth...

Bibliografische Informationen