From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
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<strong>Farm</strong> <strong>House</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>White</strong> <strong>House</strong>, by William M. Thayer 117<br />
Washing<strong>to</strong>n renounced military life <strong>to</strong> claim his bride. He was married at <strong>the</strong> "<strong>White</strong> <strong>House</strong>" on <strong>the</strong> 6th of<br />
January, 1759, a few weeks before his twenty-seventh birthday. Mrs. Custis was three months younger than<br />
<strong>the</strong> bridegroom.<br />
At seventeen years of age, Miss Martha Dandridge (for such was her maiden name) was a gay and beautiful<br />
belle, having many sui<strong>to</strong>rs, upon none of whom she looked favorably, except Colonel Daniel Parke Custis,<br />
son of Hon. John Custis of Arling<strong>to</strong>n. To him she was married in 1749. Two sons and a daughter were <strong>the</strong><br />
fruits of this marriage, <strong>the</strong> eldest of whom died a short time before his fa<strong>the</strong>r. The biographer of Mr. Custis<br />
records an incident which furnishes a key <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> character of this worthy and influential gentleman:<br />
"A short time before his death, he sent for a tenant, <strong>to</strong> whom, in settling an account, he was due one shilling.<br />
The tenant begged that <strong>the</strong> colonel, who had ever been most kind <strong>to</strong> his tenantry, would not trouble himself at<br />
all about such a trifle, as he, <strong>the</strong> tenant, had forgotten it long ago. 'But I have not,' rejoined <strong>the</strong> just and<br />
conscientious landlord; and bidding his credi<strong>to</strong>r take up <strong>the</strong> coin, which had been purposely placed on his<br />
pillow, exclaimed, 'Now my accounts are closed with this world!' and shortly after expired."<br />
The loss of both husband and son was a terrible affliction <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> youthful widow; yet her Christian hope<br />
sustained her wonderfully, so that she did not abandon herself <strong>to</strong> useless repinings. Her husband left her his<br />
large plantation, and from one <strong>to</strong> two hundred thousand dollars in money, <strong>the</strong> care of which, with her two<br />
surviving children, imposed new and unusual duties upon her. How well she met <strong>the</strong>se responsibilities is <strong>to</strong>ld<br />
by her husband's biographer, thus:<br />
"Mrs. Custis, as sole executrix, managed <strong>the</strong> extensive landed and pecuniary concerns of <strong>the</strong> estates with<br />
surprising ability, making loans on mortgage of moneys, and, through her stewards and agents, conducting <strong>the</strong><br />
sales or exportations of <strong>the</strong> crops <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> best possible advantage."<br />
"Beautiful, gifted, with great fascination of manners, unusually accomplished, extremely wealthy, and<br />
youthful," as ano<strong>the</strong>r has said, it is not surprising that, when <strong>the</strong> usual period of seclusion and mourning had<br />
passed, her hand and heart were sought by o<strong>the</strong>r worthy men. It was not, however, until she providentially met<br />
Colonel Washing<strong>to</strong>n, in <strong>the</strong> manner we have described, that she was at all disposed <strong>to</strong> enter in<strong>to</strong> ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />
matrimonial alliance.<br />
The wedding of Washing<strong>to</strong>n was a splendid affair conducted after <strong>the</strong> old English style that prevailed among<br />
wealthy planters. Military and civil officers with <strong>the</strong>ir wives, graced <strong>the</strong> occasion. Ladies appeared in <strong>the</strong><br />
costliest brocades, laces, and jewels which <strong>the</strong> Old World could provide. The bride was arrayed in <strong>the</strong> height<br />
of English fashion, her wealth of charms a fit accompaniment <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> manly beauty of <strong>the</strong> bridegroom, who<br />
s<strong>to</strong>od six feet and three inches in his shoes, "The tallest and handsomest man of <strong>the</strong> Old Dominion."<br />
An old negro servant of Mrs. Custis expressed his views of his new master, as follows:<br />
"Never seed <strong>the</strong> like, sir,--never <strong>the</strong> like of him, though I have seen many in my day,--so tall, so straight! And<br />
<strong>the</strong>n, sir, he sat on a horse and rode with such an air! Ah, sir, he was like no one else! Many of <strong>the</strong> grandest<br />
gentlemen, in <strong>the</strong> gold lace, were at <strong>the</strong> wedding, but none looked like <strong>the</strong> man himself."<br />
Washing<strong>to</strong>n resided at <strong>the</strong> "<strong>White</strong> <strong>House</strong>" three months before taking his seat in <strong>the</strong> <strong>House</strong> of Burgesses. That<br />
he had resolved <strong>to</strong> abandon a military career, and that his new relation afforded him unalloyed pleasure, is<br />
quite evident from what he wrote <strong>to</strong> a friend:<br />
"I am now, I believe, fixed in this seat, with an agreeable partner for life; and I hope <strong>to</strong> find more happiness in<br />
retirement than I ever experienced in <strong>the</strong> wide and bustling world."<br />
<strong>From</strong> a child, Mrs. Washing<strong>to</strong>n had enjoyed <strong>the</strong> luxuries and society that wealth multiplies. Her own property,