 |
| Nelly Parke Custis Lewis |
Shortly after the
death of George Washington, Martha sealed up their bedroom and slept in a
single bed in a small uncomfortable room.
As per her husband’s request she freed her husband’s slaves as he wanted
to do for years. Eleanor was the daughter of John Parke Custis. Eleanor who was nicknamed Nelly, became a grande dame in her
own right and was the apple of her grandmother, Martha Washington's eye.
Nelly Parke Custis
Lewis: Thank you very much for coming to see me. With the death of my
grandmother, I have not been out in the social world.
Lucy Knox: I’m so
glad to visit with you in your home where we can speak without interruption.
Nelly: You knew
my grandmother so well during the war years. Would you be willing to tell me
what she was like?
Lucy: I don’t
know where to start except to say that I considered myself privileged to have
known Martha although we have seen each other less in recent years. You know
that she was married to Daniel Parke Custis of whom I know very little except
that he was a bit older than your grandmother and enormously wealthy.
Nelly: I was very
young when my grandfather died but I understand that he had several
plantations. I think you knew George Washington quite well.
Lucy: During the
war, my husband worked closely with General Washington and we had occasion to
meet socially from time to time. I must say that he frightened me. I found him
to very stern and somewhat unapproachable, not like Martha who was always sweet
to Cathy and me.
Nelly: I must say
that I often felt the same. To me he was grand papa but he was firm none the
less. When he spoke harshly to Jack when we were little, I would often cry. I
often wonder how grand mama will be judged by history.
Lucy: How could
she not be viewed with respect and admiration? I remember her arriving at the
camp with bundles of clothes in her arms that would be distributed among the
soldiers. Those poor men – boys really who owned only the clothes on their
backs. Heaven only knows where she found all the pairs of shoes and boots for
the soldiers. Martha was a kind and warmhearted person greatly loved by the
troops.
Nelly: Did you
know that when grand papa was elected President, grand mama wanted so badly for
him to turn down the first presidency of the United States?
Lucy: Oh, but
that is news to me. I would have thought she would be thrilled at the prospect.
Nelly: She told
me that she had refused to attend the inauguration. She was so afraid that his
role of father of the country would change their close and loving relationship.
But she learned quickly that he took his new position in his stride and if
anything he became more loving as president—with nothing more to prove. He
invited her along on all of his trips.
Lucy: She was a
perfect hostess in every way. Her guests were instantly put at ease while she
remained the fashionable and knowledgeable Lady Washington.
Nelly: Martha and George Washington had
no children together, but they raised Martha's two surviving children. Her
daughter, nicknamed Patsy, who would have been my aunt, died as a teenager
during an epileptic seizure. Martha had so much sadness in her life. Jack
returned from college to comfort his mother. And I’m sure you know that he died
as well at the end of war at Yorktown.
Lucy: So much tragedy for one family.
When I lost my husband Henry in an accident, I had to live many years after his
death without his warm comfort. I am certain the world will be eager to learn
all it can about the first president of America and his loving wife. Perhaps
their correspondence will reveal how very close they were as a couple.
Nelly: Those who want to know about the
private lives of my grandparents will be disappointed.
Lucy: How so? What would disappoint
them?
Nelly: My grandmother burned all the
letters that she and her husband wrote to each other during four decades. It
was certainly her choice and their private lives would remain private.
 |
| Lucy Knox |
No comments:
Post a Comment