From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library

Farm House to the White House, by William M. Thayer 119
"A large Virginia estate in those days was a little empire," he says. "The mansion-house was the seat of
government, with its numerous dependencies, such as kitchens, smoke-house, work-shops, and stables. In this
mansion the planter moved supreme; his steward, or overseer, was his prime minister and executive officer; he
had his legion of house negroes for domestic service, and his host of field negroes for the culture of tobacco,
Indian corn, and other crops, and for other out-of-door labor. Their quarter formed a kind of hamlet apart,
composed of various huts, with little gardens and poultry yards, all well stocked, and swarms of little negroes
gambolling in the sunshine. Then there were large wooden edifices for curing tobacco, the staple and most
profitable production, and mills for grinding wheat and Indian corn, of which large fields were cultivated for
the supply of the family and the maintenance of the negroes."
At the same time that Mrs. Washington had to preside over the farm-house for the sake of the one thousand
souls on the large estate, she was obliged to conduct her domestic affairs in a costly and fashionable way for
the sake of her guests. Her wardrobe, furniture, and preparations for special occasions were necessarily
elaborate and expensive, for her mansion was the resort of the most distinguished men and women of the
country. Almost every day some civil or military gentleman of distinction was found at her table. Hence,
much style and expense were required to maintain her hospitable board. A silver service was demanded by the
times, the manners and customs of which were imported from England. All other appointments corresponded
with this royal standard. Irving says that Washington's "intimacy with the Fairfaxes and his intercourse with
British officers of rank had their influence on his mode of living."
Mrs. Washington had her chariot and four, with driver and black postilion in livery, more, perhaps, to
entertain and honor her distinguished guests than for personal enjoyment. Her husband usually appeared on
horseback. He loved horses, especially fine ones, and most of those in his stables were imported. To each he
gave a name, suggested by some quality that attracted his observant eye, as Ajax, Blueskin, Valiant, Magnolia
(Arabian), etc. Several noble dogs for fox-hunting were found about his house and stable--Vulcan, Singer,
Ringwood, Sweetlips, Forrester, Music, Rockwood and Truelove. With such preparations, an English baronet
and his wife, Lord Fairfax, the wealthy fox-hunter, provincial governors and generals, or the ordinary farmer,
could all be accommodated on the Mount Vernon estate.
An order sent to England in 1759 shows that Mrs. Washington's wardrobe received particular attention:
"A salmon-colored Tabby (velvet), with satin flowers for sack and coat.
"One cap, handkerchief and tucker and ruffles, to be made of Brussels lace or Point, proper to be worn with
the above; to cost £20 (one hundred dollars).
"Two fine flowered lawn aprons.
"Two pairs women's white silk hose.
"Six pairs fine cotton do.
"Six pairs thread do., four threaded.
"One pair black and one pair white satin shoes of the smallest fives.
"Four pairs Calimanco do.
"One fashionable hat or bonnet.
"Six pairs women's best kid gloves.