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CLASSIC GROUND. 
 
 FREDERICKSBURG, V A, 
 
 AND VICINITY. 
 
 THE HOME OF 
 
 WASHTNGTO^^ 
 MARY, THE MOTHER OF WASHINGTON, 
 
 RICHARD HENRY LEE, 
 LIGHT-HORSE HARRY LEE, 
 
 AND 
 
 THEIR DESCENDANTS. 
 
 WASHINGTON CITY TO FREDERICKSBURG: 
 
 Bj' Potomac Steamer, papsincf :Mt:. Vernon. 40 miles, . . / ^7. ., 
 By Railway, . ^ . 20 " . . j' 60 miles. 
 
FREDERICKSBURG, Y A., 
 
 AND YIOINITY. 
 
 THE HOME OP 
 
 WASIIIlSrGTO]^, 
 
 MART, THE MOTHER OF WASHmOTOI^, 
 
 EICHARD HENRY LEE, 
 
 LIGHT-HORSE HARRY LEE, 
 
 AND 
 
 THEIR DESCENDANTS. 
 
 3 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 
 UNIVEESITY PUBLISHING COMPANY, 
 
 155-7 Crosby Street. 
 
 1876. 
 
 r 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 There will be many in Philadelphia this Centennial 
 year, at the celebration of an event closely connected 
 with the fame of Washington and the Lees, who will 
 be interested in, and doubtless pleased to visit, the 
 scenes of their birth and early homes. 
 
 In order to show how this can be done, this pamphlet 
 — descriptive of those localities, with other matter of 
 special interest at this time — has been prepared, in part, 
 from selected material. 
 
 May, 1876. 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
 COPYRIGUT, 
 
 1876, 
 BY A. BORST. 
 
FREDERICKSBURG, YA. 
 
 This city is situated on the south bank of the Rap- 
 pahannock River, nearly equidistant from Washington 
 and Richmond, about sixty miles from each. A semi- 
 weekly line of steamers ply between this place and 
 Baltimore. These steamers are admirably appointed, 
 both as to passenger and freight accommodations, and 
 make close connections at Baltimore with coast-wise 
 and trans- Atlantic lines. 
 
 Its churches and schools are in keeping with the 
 devoted zeal and munificence for which its inhabitants 
 have ever been noted. Many of its citizens have claim 
 to a distinguished ancestry, both of the old world and 
 the new. Preserving with zealous care the ennobling 
 characteristics of their progenitors, these people hold 
 up to the world, in their lives and conduct, all the lofty 
 estimates that mark tlie true Virginian. The destruc- 
 tive calamities of the late \Yar of Secession seem to 
 have brightened and strengthened these instincts. With 
 fortitude that was heroic, 'and patience that was sub- 
 lime, the people of this war-scarred old town, after the 
 game was phiyed and lost, began straightway to rebuild 
 their shattered fortunes. Commercial and industrial 
 activities have resumed their wonted sway. The Uirge 
 and productive area, of which Fredericksburg is the 
 central point, contributes very largely to her trade in- 
 terests. The various products of this region find here 
 an excellent market and shipping point. Several large 
 mills and manufacturing establishments are in opera- 
 tion here, and there are strong inducements to increase 
 their number, and to diversify their character. 
 
 The following statements, prepared by gentlemen of 
 the highest character, who command the best sources 
 of information, bear upon this point. They relate of 
 the Water-Power awaiting development : 
 
"We regard this as an element of power destined to 
 add wealth, population and industrial enterprises — as 
 our winters are short, our water fountains pure, and 
 our climate propitious. 
 
 Just above our city (aiul only the year previous to 
 the war) a most substantial and durable dam was built 
 across the Rappahannock River, embracing all of its 
 power. Mr. John Chase, of Holyoke, Mass., the cele- 
 brated constructor of dams, was the architect. The 
 material facts of this power are appended: 
 
 Length of dam, 900 feet. 
 Height, 18 " 
 
 Fall, 48 '^ 2 inches. 
 
 Force of power, 4,000 horse. 
 Applied, " 400 " 
 
 Unapplied " 3,600 '' 
 
 A canal leading from the dam makes a circuit around 
 the outskirts of our city, and along almost its entire 
 length. The country affords as desirable sites for mills 
 and factories as are to be found anywhere in the world. 
 The company owning will sell or lease power upon very 
 reasonable terms, and offer great inducements to man- 
 ufacturers. Lots, suitable for mill or manufacturing 
 sites, can be purchased at from $500 to $2,000 each. 
 The water-power here is said to equal that of Lowell, 
 Mass. 
 
 The counties adjacent to our cities have numbers of 
 small streams running through them, which afford 
 power of from 10 to 60 horse. 
 
 Pursuing another branch of the subject — the re- 
 sources of this region — these gentlemen briefly state 
 the inducements offered by the country adjacent in the 
 way of Mining Lands : 
 
 There are gold-bearing localities in Virginia, which, 
 if not equal to those of California at present, are des- 
 tined to be of great importance in years to come. Gold 
 ore (the quartz rock) and surface washings are impor- 
 
tant features in tliis immediate section. There are not 
 less than seven gold mines in operation — some of them 
 very successfully — within an area of fifteen miles of 
 Fredericksburg. Astonishing developments have re- 
 cently been made in Iron Ore in this county, at points 
 where none was supposed to exist. Unmistakable evi- 
 dences of this ore are apparent in many parts of the 
 surrounding country. Lead is found in the State, but 
 none in this immediate vicinity. Veins of rich copper 
 are found in counties adjacent. 
 
 Tungsten, Tellerium and Titanium are metals occu- 
 pying the attention of manufacturers of iron and steel. 
 We are told by scientific men that all these are found 
 in Virginia — the last in considerable quantities in the 
 Piedmont section. The time will surely come when 
 enterprise, will open up these rich stores of valuable 
 metal, lying as dead capital beneath the hills and 
 mountains of our favored State. 
 
 A large number of landed proprietors in the counties 
 near Fredericksburg have organized an immigration 
 society for the purpose of issuing authentic informa- 
 tion, upon which the immigrant and the land-buyer 
 can implicitly rely. After giving a clear and concise 
 statement of the advantages claimed, these gentlemen 
 invite prospecting parties to visit the lands and ex- 
 amine them in person. 
 
 It is a noteworthy feature of their plan, that the 
 land-buyer and the land-owner are to be brought face 
 to ftice through the mediation of the Secretary. 
 
 This Society sent a large delegation to New York 
 City in September last, for the purpose of conferring 
 with those there — and mediately, through the press, 
 elsewhere — interested in immigration. The large at- 
 tendance from various States, the full and free inter- 
 change of views had there, and other features of this 
 conference, as given to the country through the cour- 
 tesy of the press of this country and Europe, gave a 
 deserved prominence to this new departure in the cause 
 of immigration. Numbers have been thereby induced 
 
6 
 
 to inspect, and then to purchase, lands in that portion 
 of Virginia ; and many, we are advised, both from 
 Europe and the States, propose atrip from Philadelpliia 
 to tliat region during the Centennial. 
 
 A fitting salutation to the prospective land-buyer is to 
 be found in the following Circular of the Rappahannock 
 and Potomac Immigration Society, which we produce 
 in full as the aptest and briefest resume of points perti- 
 nent to the matter in hand : 
 
 In presenting the inducements offered by that portion 
 of Virginia, bordering on the Eappahannock and 
 Potomac Rivers, we have a twofold purpose in view. 
 
 We earnestly desire good people to settle in our midst 
 for their benefit as well as our own. 
 
 Investments in these lands guarantee to the skilled 
 f\T;rmer annual returns rarely exceeded in agricul- 
 ture. 
 
 Persons desiring a safe investment cannot do better 
 than to purchase these lands to be cultivated, if they 
 prefer, by tenants or managers of their own section, 
 thus making a secure investment Avith the prospect of a 
 good return. 
 
 We have small tracts of productive land, with and 
 without improvements, and large tracts that can be 
 di vided. 
 
 These lands can be purchased in j^arcels of from fifty 
 to five hundred acres at from five to thirty dollars per 
 acre ; part cash, and the remainder on credit, if the 
 purchaser desires. 
 
 AVith two hands, at from five to ten dollars per month, 
 and two horses, our farmers cultivate from thirty to 
 forty acres in corn, with other successive crops through 
 the year. 
 
 Owing to superior transportation facilities, grain can 
 be delivered in our markets at a cost per bushel of four 
 to six cents. 
 
 Thei-e is an excellent opportunity here to diversify 
 crops. 
 
Fruits of many varieties, grapes, broom-corn and 
 
 tobacco can be cultivated bere witb success. 
 
 Tbe rivers and tbeir tributaries abound in fish, 
 
 oysters and water fowls ; each estate has a landing on 
 
 or near it- 
 Farm products can be shipped from these landings 
 
 to the markets of the world by vessel, or by steamers 
 
 connecting with other lines. 
 
 We have good society, good schools and churches. 
 We sincerely liope you will form excursion parties 
 
 and visit this section, that you may see and judge for 
 
 yourselves. 
 
 Good rates can be secured for excursion parties be- 
 tween points North and West, and Fredericksburg. 
 
 A book will be kept at the office of the Secretary in 
 Fredericksburg, wliich will contain a full and accurate 
 description of all such lands of the Society as are for 
 sale. 
 
 The water power of Fredericksburg affords manufac- 
 turing facilities that are rarely equalled. 
 
 Of this Society General Fitzhugh Lee, Richland, 
 Stafford County, Virginia, is President; Mr. Charles 
 Mason, Edge Hill, King George County, Vice-Presi- 
 dent ; and Mr. Addison Borst, Fredericksburg, Secre- 
 tary. These officers are assisted by an Advisory Board, 
 comprising eleven members, who represent the coun- 
 ties connected with the Society. 
 
 There are but few localities of interest in Virginia 
 that have not been made the subjects, at different times, 
 of pen or pencil sketches. Artists run mad over the 
 unsnrpassed grandeur of her mountain scenery; 
 speculators over the boundless mineral wealth that lies 
 buried within her bosom ; and the world is in love with 
 the matcliless bonhommie of her people. 
 
 No portion of Virginia deserving notice has received 
 less than that bounded by the Potomac and Rappahan- 
 nock Rivers, known as the Northern Neck. Considered 
 with reference to its natural advantages^ this section 
 
may justly claim more than ordinary prominence. Its 
 inhabitants are greatly blessed in having a soil remark- 
 able for its fertility, and in having two rivers, with their 
 numerous tributaries, affording the amjilest means of 
 water transportation, and in unfailing supplies of fish, 
 oysters, and wild game. These features, though highly 
 valued, are far from constituting the chief attraction 
 of the J^orthern Neck. What gave it a distinctive 
 character was the renown of its people. 
 
 It may well be called "The Attica of America," for it 
 was the birthplace and* nursery of heroes and states- 
 men whose memories will be cherished with undying 
 devotion on both continents. 
 
 It was here the christian soldier and unselfish patriot, 
 Washington, was born. Here also were born some of 
 the most illnstrious of the name of Lee, including the 
 well-known Light Horse Harry. Mr. Monroe, of whom 
 many early anecdotes are related, was born and began 
 his public career here. 
 
 Among the early settlers in this part of Virginia, was 
 Thomtis Fairfax, a grandson of Lord Cnlpeper. William 
 Fairfax, one of his descendants, lived near Mt. Vernon, 
 and was a cherished friend of Wasliington. A large 
 grant was made by Charles II. to Henry Corbin, embrac- 
 ing Westmoreland and several other counties. The 
 original grant is now at Peckatone, in Westmoreland, 
 the family seat of the late Hon. William Taliaferro, 
 whose wife was a Miss Turberville, and belonged to a 
 branch of the Corbin family. This vast area of landed 
 propert}^, which was acquired by the early settlers un- 
 der a royal patent, passed into the hands of their de- 
 scendants and of those who intermarried among them. 
 These ftimilies have had many distinguished represent- 
 atives in the civil and military departments of the 
 government. 
 
 Descended from an ancestry whose annals are re- 
 splendent with the lustre of heroic achievements on the 
 field, and with the high prestige of distinction in the 
 council, the people of the Northern Neck have been 
 charged with the fond care of family position, and the 
 
anxious gnardiansliip of that priceless inlieritance — a 
 spotless name. 
 
 The high character of tlie present generation fully 
 attests the fidelity with which rhey have discharged the 
 grave duties inseparable from their birth. The elegant 
 simplicity of their deportment, the refinement of their 
 social intercourse, and the high tone which marks their 
 business relations, embody the unfailing characteristics 
 of a lineage without reproach. 
 
 Nearly all the representatives of those early days have 
 passed away. It is a rare pleasure to- meet one of them, 
 and to observe the pardonable loquacity with which 
 they dwell npou the fondly-remembered scenes of the 
 olden times, and the amiable tyranny with which they 
 exact the nnqnalified homage, while commiserating the 
 forlorn fate of those who have not shared with them 
 the glories of an earlier period. 
 
 The residences and surroundings that dotted tlie 
 banks of the two rivers — the lateral boundaries of this 
 modern Mesopotamia — were suited to tlie magnificent 
 estates which they fitly adorned. Within and without 
 were all the appointments befitting the claims of their 
 owners, and the unbounded hospitality which consti- 
 tuted their favorite delight. In one respect the scene 
 is now quite changed. These estates and their owners 
 have lost a great deal of their wealth ; but war, pesti- 
 lence, and famine cannot deprive the owners of that 
 innate principle which prompts the performance of hos- 
 pitable rites, and which is viewed as no inconsiderable 
 part of their birthright. But few of the old residences 
 remain. 
 
 Stratford, the home of the Lees, is in Westmoreland. 
 The old Stratford House, which was destroyed by fire, 
 was rebuilt by Thomas Lee, with funds presented to 
 him by Queen Caroline, of England. This immense 
 structure and its distinguished proprietors Avill be 
 more fully noticed upon a later page. 
 
 Wakefield, the birthplace and boyhood home of 
 Washington, is sitnated between the Potomac and 
 Rappahannock Rivers, on Pope's Creek, in Westmore- 
 
10 
 
 land, which stream takes its name from his grandmother, 
 who was a Miss Pope. For several years the estate was 
 in tlie possession of a Mr. Gray ; his son remained there 
 until his death, which was about forty years ago. The 
 latter — if we may indulge in a rambling digression a 
 moment — married a Miss Catharine Willis, who was 
 Avidely known as one of the greatest beauties of that 
 day. After his death, his widow married Colonel Mu- 
 rat, a son of the hero-marshal, and nephew of tiie First 
 Napoleon. Many anecdotes are related concerning 
 Murat and his sojourn ii> the Northern Neck, which, 
 however, we have not space to give here. The spot is 
 interesting, not only from its historical associations, 
 but for its natural beauties. It commands a view of 
 the Maryland shore, and of the Potomac and its course 
 for many miles. The house was a single-storied, low- 
 pitched frame building, with four rooms on the first 
 floor, and an enormous chimney on the outside at each 
 end. A stone slab marks the spot, and bears this sim- 
 ple inscription : " Here, on the 11th of February, 
 (0. S.), 1732, George Washington was born." The 
 slab ha.s been broken but is still there. It was ob- 
 tained in one of the interior counties of Virginia, and 
 carried on a vessel to a point on the Potomac, not far 
 distant from Wakefield. "Well do I remember the 
 day," remarked an aged lady-friend of the writer, not 
 long ago, 'Mvhen this humble tribute to the memory 
 of the 'Father of his Country' was landed at Pope's 
 Creek. Mr. G. W. P. Custis, a grandson of Mrs. 
 AVashington, assumed the care and supervision incident 
 to this labor of love." "He esteemed it an honored 
 privilege," added this lady, " to aid in signalizing so 
 great an event as the birth of this noble patriot." Mr. 
 Samuel Lewis, a great-nephew of Washington, of 
 Marmion, in King George County, and Mr. William 
 Fitzhugh, of Eagle's Nest, in the same county, aided 
 Mr. Custis in moving the slab to its destination. An 
 aged female servant belonging to the Washington fam- 
 ily, pointed out, several years ago, the room — or, rather, 
 the hearth of the room — in which the great actor, des- 
 
11 
 
 tined to play so important a part in the drama of 
 American Revolution, was ushered upon the stage of 
 life. The Wakefield estate is now in the possession of 
 a Mr. Wilson, who married a daughter of Mr. Lawrence 
 Washington. Scarcely a vestige of the old Washing- 
 ton mansion remains, save the chimney and a few bro- 
 ken bricks that lie scattered around it. 
 
 ANECDOTES OF WASHmOTOK 
 
 The self-possession, personal courage, and great firm- 
 ness of Gen. Washington are illustrated by a great 
 many anecdotes, given in the various biographies of 
 the man, and histories of his times. 
 
 The following circumstance, pointing in the direc- 
 tion indicated, is related by the late Judge Lomax: 
 
 AVhilst attending the service at St. G-eorge's Church, 
 in Fredericksburg, a loud noise was heard by the whole 
 congregation, and the cry arose that the walls were 
 crackinsr and the roof was about to fall in. Washinsf- 
 ton occupied a seat m a middle pew, one of the most 
 exposed in the building. An unusual crowd was in 
 attendance. The consternation was great, and a panic 
 seized the audience. Men lost their presence of mind, 
 and women and children screamed with fright, and a 
 pell-mell rush and scramble were made for the doors 
 and windows. The agony of suspense and fright 
 lasted but a few moments, when it was ascertained that 
 the crashing uoise that started the alarm proceeded 
 from some trifling cause, and that there was no dan- 
 ger. The panic suddenly subsided, and the people 
 returned to their seats ashamed at their fright. But 
 during the whole tumult and terror, Washington sat 
 calm and unmoved, evincing neither alarm nor confu- 
 sion. The services were concluded in order, after the 
 startling interruption. The coolness displayed by 
 Washington did much to arrest the panic at the mo- 
 ment, and was long tiie theme of admiring comment 
 
12 
 
 in the community ; but the incident, so far as we are 
 aware, has never before appeared in print. 
 
 HIS SELF-POSSESSIOi!^. 
 
 The courage and self-possession of Washington are 
 showu in an anecdote rehited by Major Greorge Lewis, 
 Avho was at the time — the battle of Monmouth — Cap- 
 tain of Washington's Life G-uard. Just before the bat- 
 tle the General, with a few of his staff, made a recon- 
 noissance in person. The party rode nearer the enemies' 
 lines than was intended, and their picl\ets suddenly and 
 unexpectedly opened a brisk (ire upon him. The Gen- 
 eral paused; but before returning he took a deliberate 
 survey of the British camp with his field glass. The 
 pickets kept up a very brisk and constant fire, but 
 Washington continued and completed his inspection 
 without hurry and without nervousness; and then 
 retired deliberately with his party. Major Lewis, him- 
 self a brave man and well accustomed to danger, in 
 narrating the incident to his grandson, Mr. George 
 Washington Lewis, of Claymont, who is our informant, 
 frankly confessed that he felt some nervousness while 
 the musket balls were whizzing and singing about his 
 ears; and tlnit he could not resist the inclination to 
 turn his head first to one side and then to the other. 
 The General, observing this, said to him with something 
 of sternness in his tone: " George, you take great pains 
 to dodge your head in the way of a ball." 
 
 HIS PUITCTUALITY. 
 
 AVhile Wasliington always rendered the most exact 
 obedience to all commands legitimately imposed upon 
 him, he exacted the same from those who were under 
 his command. The most prompt and implicit obedi- 
 ence was required of all. Punctuality to time in keep- 
 ing appointments was always rigidly demanded. It was 
 the non-observance of this rule that led to the sharp 
 reprimand administered by him to Colonel, afterwards 
 General, Alexander Hamilton. Time was always pre- 
 cious to him, for method and system were cardinal 
 
principles with him ; otherwise be never could have 
 accomplished the vast amount of work he performed. 
 Hamilton had appointed a certain minute to attend his 
 commander on business. The time came. Washington 
 waited. Hamilton arrived some minutes after the time. 
 Washington, provoked at tbe delay, accosted bim ab- 
 ruptly and reproved him with severity. A temporary 
 alienation resulted, but this was soon removed; and no 
 officer of tbe army nor citizen in civil life enjoyed 
 more profoundly tbe confidence of Wasbington tban 
 did Alexander Hamilton. 
 
 THE FREN^CH AETIST. 
 
 Wbilst Wasbington was encamped at Valley Forge, 
 in tbe winter of 1778, a French artist, an enthusiastic 
 admirer of the General, obtained bis permission to 
 remain in camp in order to paint his portrait. The 
 artist had observed and studied the lineaments of his 
 face and the expression of his countenance in repose ; 
 but was anxious to see tbe face when roused by passion. 
 An opportunity was not long wanting. Tbe General 
 had ordered bis servant to have bis horses ready for a 
 ride at a certain hour. About few tbings was Wash- 
 ington more particular than the grooming of his horses. 
 He was the best judge of ahorse in his day; always 
 selected those of highest mettle, and was a bold and 
 graceful rider. On tbe occasion in question the servant 
 had failed to have the borses ready in time ; and when 
 they were inspected by Washington they were found 
 imperfectly cleaned and some of tbe equipments out of 
 order. Both the want of punctuality and tbe unseemly 
 appearance of the horses were too much for tbe Gen- 
 eral's amiability. He lost temper, and burst forth upon 
 tbe offending Negro witb great severity, passion depicted 
 in his countenance and his eyes aglow witb anger. Tbe 
 Frenchman watcbed the scene with intense interest and 
 admiration It was the very opportunity he had waited 
 weeks to see — Washington's face in a rage. He jumped 
 about in ecstasy, expressing his delight with liberal and 
 characteristic gesticulation; and bis enthusiasm found 
 
14 
 
 words in "Oh ! 'tis beautiful! — Oh! 'tis cfra7id I — Oh! 
 'tis magnifiqite ! " The picture, which had been delayed, 
 was promptly finished. 
 
 Tliis incident, as well as the preceding, were related 
 by the late Judge Lomax. 
 
 GRAVITY UPSET. 
 
 The natural and invariable gravity of Washington, 
 amounting, as some thought, to austerity, forbade the 
 approaches of familiarity, even to his most intimate 
 acquaintances and friends. .Few, therefore, ever ven- 
 tured to invade the atmosphere of the an gust dignity 
 with which he was always surronnded. There was one 
 man, however, who constituted, to some degree, an ex- 
 ception; one whose genial manners and facetious con- 
 versation could move tlie austerity of the Chief to some- 
 thing approaching mirth. That one man was General 
 Henry Lee, tlie fatlier of the late illustrious Confederate 
 leader, Robert E. Lee. 
 
 After Washington's retirement from public life to 
 his loved Mount Vernon, he was often visited by his 
 old comrades in arms. Among those who were fre- 
 quently entertained at his hospitable board was General 
 Lee. On one occasion, as was related by the late Mr. 
 George Washington Parke Custis, of Arlington, who 
 was present on the occasion, Mr. Lewis, already men- 
 tioned, informs ns — General Lee was present at the 
 dinner table with other company. Washington, usu- 
 ally so unbending, was unusually silent, absorbed, no 
 doubt, in grave thoughts. The dinner was moving 
 heavily. The entertainer's reserve was contagious ; 
 and the spirits of the company were decidedly depressed. 
 Conversation languished — dragged; and something 
 was necessary to break the spell. General Lee came to 
 the rescue with a desperate pun; but it had the effect. 
 There was sitting before the grave host, among tha 
 dessert on the table, a dish of puffs — an article of food 
 then very common, but now seldom prepared by house- 
 wives and seen on the tables of gentlemen. Washing- 
 ton, addressing Lee, asked him if he might give him a 
 
15 
 
 puff. " Ah !" replied Lee, " if you had given me a ;;?a^ 
 twenty years ago, I should now be prosperous and 
 great!" The Father of his country could not resist 
 the ludicrous combination of pan and genial compli- 
 ment involved in the humorous sally, and to the 
 astonishment of all, gave way to a hearty laugh. The 
 spell was broken ; and the spirit of geniality and good 
 cheer prevailed until the close of the liour; an hour 
 beino; the usual time of a dinner at Mount Vernou in 
 
 those days. 
 
 AS A MASON. 
 
 Members of the Masonic fraternity will be interested 
 to know definitely Washington's connection with that 
 Order. He was initiated, passed, and raised in Freder- 
 icksburg (Va.) Lodge, No. 4, which facts appear in tlie 
 old records of the Lodge, still preserved. The follow- 
 ing entries have reference to him : 
 
 "Nov. 4:th, 1752.— Eeceived of Mr. George Wash- 
 ington for entrance, £2 3s.". 
 
 "' March 3d, 1753. — George Washington passed Fel- 
 low Craft." 
 
 *' August 4th, 1753. — The transactions of the evening 
 are : George Washington raised Master Mason." The 
 officers officiating on this occasion were: Rt. Wor. 
 Daniel Campbell,' W. M. ; John Neilson, S. W.; Eobert 
 Halkerson, J. W. ; Alexander Wodrow, Secretary pro. 
 tempore ; and William McWilliams, Treasurer." 
 
 At the next meeting of the Lodge, which was held on 
 the first of the following month, September, we find that 
 Washington is reported present. His name does not ap- 
 pear again on the records until January, 1755, when he 
 is reported present, and foi'the last time, so far as we can 
 learn from the old records. The records, which were 
 saved from destruction during the war of Secession, 
 run from 1752 to 1771, but were very imperfectly 
 kept, and do not show many things which secretaries 
 are now required to enter on minutes; such as demits, 
 deatlis, suspensions, expulsions, etc. 
 
 Thus it appears that AVashington was initiated into 
 
IG 
 
 the Masonic Order before he was of age, and was admit- 
 ted by a special dispensation. 
 
 Lafayette's signature appears in the record -book, in 
 connection with his visit to Fredericksbnro- Lodo-e. 
 
 The room in which Washington was initiated into 
 Masonry is not now standing. The Lodge-meetings 
 were at that time hehi in a room over the Market House, 
 which was sold and torn down about the beginning of 
 the present century, and the Lodge mo\ed to another 
 building. 
 
 The Bible, used at the initiating, passing, and rais- 
 ing of Washington, together 'with those old records, is 
 kept very carefully and guarded witli very tender care 
 by the Masons of to-day. The Bible is in a state of 
 good preservation. It was ^^rinted in 1668, at Cam- 
 bridge, by John Field, printer to the University; and 
 is accordingly two hundred and eight years old. 
 
 The X)resent W. M. of tlie Fredericksburg Lodge 
 furnishes us the above points, and we have had oc- 
 casion frequently to examine the Bible and to look 
 over the venerable pages of the records, some of which 
 are now a hundred and twenty-four years old. The 
 old Market House. spoken of above was built of brick 
 imported from England, many of which still exist as 
 part of the building-material of a warehouse now in 
 use. 
 
 WASHINGTON'S BOYHOOD HOME. 
 
 Opposite Fredericksburg, on the east side of the 
 Rappahannock, near the river, is the Washington 
 farm. A few years ji/ter his birth, his father, Augus- 
 tine Washington, removed with his family from Wake- 
 field to this place. Here it is that Washington spent 
 his early youth ; and here, tradition says, is tlie place 
 where, wlien a young man, he threw a stone across tlie 
 Rappahannock, a feat that no one, it is said, has since 
 succeeded in accomplishing. 
 
17 
 
 KENMOEE. 
 
 OoLOKEL Fielding Lewis, who married Elizabeth, 
 a sister of Washington, lived at Fredericksburg on the 
 farm where lies buried Mar}^, the mother of Washing- 
 ton. This estate is — as it was then— known as Ken- 
 more; and was adorned with a dwelling, magnificent 
 for the times, whicli is still there. Two of the sons of 
 Colonel Lewis — George and Lawrence — were of Wash- 
 ington's military household, the former being a captain 
 of his Life Guard, and the latter his private Secretary. 
 
 WASHINGTON'S VISIT TO HIS MOTHER. 
 
 The following narrative is here reproduced, inas- 
 much as, although hitherto published, it touches so 
 nearly the matters we have in hand. We give it in 
 the words of an enthusiastic narrator: 
 
 Accompanied by many of the French officers, and 
 some of the most distinguished of the American army, 
 he arrived at Fredericksburg, in Virginia, where his 
 mother resided. Cannons boomed, bells pealed, and 
 the people came in crowds from the city and far dis- 
 tant plantations to greet the conqueror. But filial 
 affection was burning intensely in the bosom of the 
 chief. Eight long and eventful years had passed since 
 the mother and son had met. Leaving the great 
 pageant as soon as courtesy would allow, Washington 
 hastened to his sister, Mrs. Lewis, and desired her to 
 inform her of his arrival, and his desire to embrace 
 her. When the cannons boomed, and the bells rang, 
 the mother of Washington was unmoved. With all a 
 Cornelia's virtues, she possessed a Cornelia's firmness. 
 She was as proud of her son as was the mother of the 
 Gracchi, yet she hid the feeling deep in her heart. 
 She was preparing yarn for the weaver of cloth for her 
 servants when the pageant entered the town, and she 
 was still occupied with her toil when her honored son 
 entered. 
 
18 
 
 *' I am glad to see you, G-eorge. You liave altered 
 considerably," were the first words of the matron. 
 During the whole interview, not a syllable was spoken, 
 by the mother or son, of the glorious achievements of 
 his mind and hand. 
 
 That evening a ball was given at Fredericksburg in 
 honor of tlie General. It was a gay scene, for many of 
 the most brilliant of tlie French officers and of the 
 elite of Northern Virginia aristocracy were there. 
 Washington entered with an aged woman of middle 
 stature leaning upon his arm. She was dressed in a 
 plain black silk gown, and upon her head was a lawn 
 cap, white as snow, without lace or ruffles, and fas- 
 tened with tabs under her chin. It was Mary, the 
 Mother of Washin"GTOK. The French officers were 
 astonished. So plain a Avoman the mother of the 
 Great Leader ! They thought of the Dowager-Queen of 
 France, of the brilliant Antoinette, and her high-born 
 dames of the Court of Louis XVI., and could not 
 comprehend the matter. At nine o'clock in the even- 
 ing the honored matron, witli an air of parental 
 authority, took her son by the arm, and said : ^' Come, 
 George, it is time for me to be at home;" and the 
 conqueror of Cornwallis left that brilliant throng for 
 an hour, and escorted his mother to her humble 
 dwelling. Lafayette visited her the next day, and 
 with gloAving language he spoke to her of the great- 
 ness of her son. 'I'lie matron's reply conveyed one of 
 the wisest lessons ever uttered : " I am not surprised, 
 for George was always a good boy." 
 
 MARY. THE MOTHER OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 The following facts relating to Washington's mother 
 are gathered liere as germane to our purpose. The 
 maiden name of this lady was Mary Ball, whose father, 
 Colonel Ball, lived in Lancaster county, Virginia. 
 The house, in which she lived many years and died, is 
 still standing in Fredericksburg. It is a plain, sub- 
 
19 
 
 sfcatitial, two-story clwelliDg, of the ordinary arcliitec- 
 tiire, and painted white. Her son visited her fre- 
 quently from the city of Washington, making the 
 journey on horseback. She died in the autumn of 
 1789, at the age of eighty-five years. She was buried 
 in a spot selected by herself on tlie plantation of her 
 son-in-law, Colonel Fielding Lewis, the spot being a 
 beautiful swell, most appropriate for such use. Hard 
 by — within a few steps, indeed — is a romantic ledge of 
 rocks, where she had often resorted for meditation and 
 self-communing. There is now over her grave a beau- 
 tiful, but yet unfinished, monument. This monument 
 was made, years ago, a subject of consideration in Con- 
 gress; and at the time a committee visited Fredericks- 
 burg for the purpose of ascertaining the probable cost 
 of completing it. The monument fell through, how- 
 ever, and nothing substantial was done about it. Few 
 nobler characters have graced the annals of woman- 
 hood. Her generous attentions to the wants of the 
 poor were constant and never omitted; and while we 
 would honor her for her relation to the Father of His 
 Country, tradition holds her name sacred in hundreds 
 of the hearts that hand down remembrance of her 
 sweet charities. 
 
 EELICS, ETC. 
 
 There are a great many curious and interesting 
 relics of the Washington, the Lee, and the Lewis famil- 
 ies, in and near Fredericksburg — numerous portraits of 
 these families and souvenirs of various kinds; such as 
 articles of furniture, including the dinner bell used by 
 Mary, the Mother of Washington. 
 
 STRATFORD, 
 
 THE HOME OF THE LEES. 
 
 This fine estate is situated in AVestmoreland county, 
 
20 
 
 not fVir from Fredericksburg, below. The house is 
 built in the shape of an H, of bricks imported from 
 England. The cross furnislies a saloon of thirty feet 
 square ; and in the centre of each wing rises a cluster 
 of chimneys which forms the columns of two pavilions 
 connected by a balustrade. The walls are very thick. 
 The style of architecture is unequalled in Virginia. Tlie 
 house was built by Thomas Lee with funds presented to 
 him by Queen Caroline as a mark of royal favor. The 
 builder was appointed Governor, from which circum- 
 stance it was sometimes called the Governor's House. 
 It was here that General Eobert E. Lee was born, on 
 the 19th of January, 1807, where, in his boyhood, he 
 breathed an atmosphere redolent of the noblest tradi- 
 tions of his native State. To call him the last of the 
 cavaliers, as he has been called, may seem unjust to 
 some noble survivors ; but his peerless character, as 
 well as reputation, is too pure to excite invidious objec- 
 tion. His life was a noble vindication of the civiliza- 
 tion of his State, and on that ever memorable 12th of 
 October, 1870, when his spirit passed away, the His- 
 toric Muse wrote his name beside that of Washington ; 
 and Virginia cherishes and reveres the valor and the 
 virtues of her two great " Eebels " — as her poet, Barron 
 Hope, so felicitously phrased it — and will do so always. 
 
 Philip Ludwell, the oldest son of Thomas Lee, who 
 was a member of the King's council, occupied Stratford 
 after his father's death. He had two daughters, one of 
 whom married Light Horse Harry Lee — General Robert 
 E. Lee's father — who lived at Stratford. General Fitz- 
 hugh Lee — one of Light Horse Harry's grandsons — who 
 won an honored distinction in the war of Secession, 
 still lives in Stafford County, above Fredericksburg a 
 short distance. 
 
 Thomas Lee, the builder of the Stratford, left five 
 sons besides Philip Ludwell. Richard Henr}^, Francis 
 Lightfoot and Arthur Lee were all born af Stratford. 
 The world knows their fame, and will not forget it. 
 The annals of American heroism and honor bear no 
 name of brighter record than that of Lee ; and history 
 
21 
 
 has few to name "worthier of higher place in the world's 
 esteem. 
 
 OTHER REMINISCEN^CES OF WEST- 
 MORELAND. 
 
 Before the Revolution, two brothers, Archibald and 
 Alexander Campbell, came from Scotland to Virginia. 
 The former was an Episcopal minister and conducted 
 a school in the country, some miles below Fredericks- 
 burg. It is said that Washington, Thomas Marshall — ■ 
 father of the Chief-Justice — Monroe, and Madison were 
 his pupils. He espoused the American cause and was 
 a noted "Rebel," while his brother — the father of 
 Campbell, the ^' Poet of Hope" — was loyal and returned 
 to his native country. 
 
 President Monroe was born at the head of Monroe's 
 Creek, in Westmoreland county. 
 
 Buslirod Washington also was born in this county. 
 He was the favorite nephew of Washington, and was 
 the devisee of Mt. Vernon. 
 
 Pope's Creek Church stood near the birth-place of 
 Waslrington. It was in this church that he was bap- 
 tized and received his early religious impressions. Near 
 this church lie the remains of Thomas Lee, the owner 
 of Stratford, and the father of the noblest brotherhood 
 of patriots that ever adorned the historyof any country, 
 in anv a2:e. 
 
 Leeds Church stood on the Rappahannock River at a 
 place called Leeds. It is now a mass of ruins. This 
 may be calle'd the Southern cradle of American Inde- 
 pendence ; for it was here that the '• Rebels " of West- 
 moreland ceuuty, under the leadership of Richard 
 Henry Lee, and, before any and all others, entered 
 their protest against the Stamp Act; nor would they 
 allow any citizen of Westmorehmd to deal in stamps. 
 
 Many of those old-time churches near Fredericks- 
 burg are still standing, having been repaired from time 
 
22 
 
 to time. They were built in the cruciform style, tlie 
 architecture being, like the times in which they were 
 reared, rough, but strong. The material, always the 
 best, was, for the most part, imported from the mother 
 country. The furniture, prayer-books. Bibles, and sil- 
 ver communion service, used in these churches, are all 
 objects of peculiar interest, associated as they are with 
 memorable times and illustrious names. 
 
 OLD FAMILIES. 
 
 MERCER, TALIAFERRO, MADISOJST, FAIRFAX, CARTER, 
 
 AIJD OTHERS. 
 
 General Hugh Mercer ivas a native of Scotland, 
 and had acted as surgeon at the battle of Culloden. He 
 emigrated to Fredericksburg, Virginia, and served as 
 a Captain under Washington in the pre-revolutionary 
 Indian war, as well as in the Revolutionary war. He 
 is noted for his heroic bearing in the battle of Princeton, 
 where he was mortally wounded. Many of his de- 
 scendants live in Fredericksburg, where his house is 
 still standing. 
 
 Hon. John Taliaferro lived near Fredericksburg. 
 He represented the Westmoreland district in Congress 
 upwards of thirty years. There are many still living 
 who remember him as the Father of the House during 
 the later years of his service there. 
 
 James Madison was born at Port Conway, not far 
 from Fredericksburg, somewhat below. 
 
 There are many families living in or near Fredericks- 
 burg whose ancestors were distinguished in various 
 spheres of activity and usefulness. Prominent among 
 these are the Spottswoods, Hunters, Masons, Taylores, 
 Brookes, Corbins, Fairfaxes, and Carters. 
 
 THE OLD DOMINION. 
 In the days of Cromwell, Richard Lee, who was *' of 
 
the Council," and Sir William Berkeley, Governor of 
 Virginia, kept the colony firm in its loyalty. Having 
 failed to rednce the colony, Cromwell consented to a 
 treaty wherein Virginia was styled an independent do- 
 minion. 
 
 Hence "The Old Dominion.'' 
 
 After Cromwell's death, Richard Lee, assisted by Sir 
 "William Berkeley, succeeded in getting Charles II. 
 proclaimed king of England, Scotland, France, Ireland^ 
 and Virginia, two years before he was restored in 
 England. 
 
 Hence the motto of the Virginia arms, En dat Vir- 
 ginia quintam, which, after the union, became En dat 
 Virginia quartam. 
 
 BATTLE FIELDS. 
 
 The battle of Fredericksburg — on the 13th of De- 
 cember, 1862, between Generals Lee and Burnside — 
 has left thousands of mementoes all over that city and 
 surrounding country. 
 
 The Stafford Heights, occupied by General Burn- 
 side's Federal troops, are formed by a succession of 
 ridges extending along the Rappahannock River, oppo- 
 site Fredericksburg, wliicli is on the right or western 
 bank of tlie river. 
 
 The Lacy House — General Burnside's headquarters — 
 occupies a commanding position upon the Heights. 
 This building, which is one of the niost imposing in 
 Virginia, has recently passed into the possession of a 
 very worthy gentleman from Pennsylvania. 
 
 Marye's Heights, Tlie Stone Wall, and The Wrenn 
 House, are suggestive of stern memories to thousands 
 who survive the conflict to which these localities as 
 strategic points owe their prominence. 
 
 The whole town, indeed, is battle-scarred and bullet- 
 marked; although much of the ruin has been repaired. 
 
 Chancellorsville, famed for its battle of 1863, and The 
 Wilderness, for one of 1864, are substantially the same 
 
24 
 
 field, which is not many miles from Fredericksburg-. 
 The former of these general engagements took place on 
 the 3d of May, 1863, between the armies of the Con- 
 federate General Lee and tlie Federal General Hooker. 
 Stonewall Jackson was mortally wonnded here while 
 leading an attack npon the enemy's rear. Darkness 
 coming on, the Confederate line became very mnch 
 broken in its unequal advance. While returning to his 
 own lines, after a hurried reconnoissance in front, 
 Jackson Avas s],iot by his own men, who mistook him 
 and his staff for a party of the enemy's cavalry. While 
 he was being borne to the rear there occurred an exhibi- 
 tion of heroic devotion that stands almost alone in 
 sublimity. A terrific fire of grape and canister so con- 
 fused the litter-bearers that they left their charge and 
 fled to the woods. Major Leigh and his two aides — 
 Captain Morrison and Lieutenant Smith — unable to 
 carry the litter, lay down beside the w^ounded chief and 
 tried to protect him as far as possible with their bodies. 
 They all, as if by a miracle, escaped unharmed. Not 
 many days after this Jackson breathed his last, at the 
 residence of a Mr. Chandler, near Fredericksburg. 
 
 The Wilderness is the name by which this same 
 region is known, in the field whereon General, now 
 President, Grant first measured swords with General Lee. 
 
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