From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library

Farm House to the White House, by William M. Thayer 47
"The mother of Washington, in forming him for those distinguished parts he was destined to perform, first
taught him the duties of OBEDIENCE, the better to prepare him for those of command. In the well-ordered
domicile where his early years were passed, the levity and indulgence common to youth was tempered by a
deference and well-regulated restraint which, while it curtailed or suppressed no rational enjoyment usual in
the spring-time of life, prescribed those enjoyments within the bounds of moderation and propriety.
"The matron held in reserve an authority which never departed from her; not even when her son had become
the most illustrious of men. It seemed to say, 'I am your mother, the being who gave you life, the guide who
directed your steps when they needed the guidance of age and wisdom, the parental affection which claimed
your love, the parental authority which commanded your obedience; whatever may be your success, whatever
your renown, next to your God you owe them most to me.' Nor did the chief dissent from these truths; but to
the last moments of the life of his venerable parent, he yielded to her will the most dutiful and implicit
obedience, and felt for her person and character the most holy reverence and attachment."
Lawrence Washington, Esq., of Chotauk, a relative and playmate of George in boyhood, described the home
of the mother as follows:
"I was often there with George, his playmate, school-mate, and young man's companion. Of the mother I was
ten times more afraid than I ever was of my own parents. She awed me in the midst of her kindness, for she
was, indeed, truly kind. I have often been present with her sons, proper, tall fellows, too, and we were all as
mute as mice; and even now, when time has whitened my locks, and I am the grandparent of a second
generation, I could not behold that remarkable woman without feelings it is impossible to describe. Whoever
has seen that awe-inspiring air and manner so characteristic in the Father of his Country will remember the
matron as she appeared when the presiding genius of her well-ordered household, COMMANDING AND
BEING OBEYED."
Mrs. Washington commanded obedience of her servants and agents as she did of her children. On one
occasion she ordered an employee to perform a certain piece of work in a prescribed way. On going to the
field she was disappointed.
"Did I not tell you to do that piece of work?" she inquired of him.
"Yes, madam."
"Did I not direct you how to do it?"
"Yes, madam."
"Then why have you not done as you were directed to do?"
"Because I thought my way of doing it was better than yours," the servant answered.
"Pray, tell me, who gave you any exercise of judgment in the matter? I command you, sir; there is nothing left
for you but to obey."
So obedience was the law of her homestead. Outside and inside it seemed order, harmony, and efficiency.
There was one volume upon which she relied next to the Bible,--"Sir Matthew Hale's Contemplations, Moral
and Divine."
Everett said of the influence of this book upon the life of Washington, "It would not be difficult to point out in
the character of Washington some practical exemplification of the maxims of the Christian life as laid down