CHAPTER XVII

“Married at White House, New Kent county, Va., Jan. 6, 1759, Martha Dandridge, daughter of Col. John Dandridge, of New Kent county, and widow of Daniel Parke Custis.”

WM. PAUL—JOHN PAUL JONES.

There also lie interred in the burial ground of St. George’s church, with an unpretentious stone marking the place, the remains of William Paul, a merchant of the town and a native of Scotland, who died here in 1773. In 1770 he purchased from Thomas and Jane Blanton, “for one hundred and twenty pounds, an acre or one-half of the lot or land lying and being in the town of Fredericksburg, and designated in the plot of said town by the number or figures 258, the same being one-half, or south end of said lot, and purchased by the said Thomas Blanton of Roger Dixon, Gent, and bound on the main street, called Caroline street, and the cross street, called Prussia, together with all houses, buildings, gardens, ways, profits, hereditaments and appurtenances whatever.” This lot is designated on the map of the town to-day as 258, and the house in which Wm. Paul conducted his mercantile business is the one occupied and owned at present by Matthew J. Gately.

Notwithstanding his biographers to the contrary, Wm. Paul made a will in 1772, in which he appointed his friends, Wm. Templeman and Isaac Heslop, his executors, which was witnessed by John Atkinson, Thomas Holmes and B. Johnston. The executors declined to serve and the estate remained until late in the next year without any one being legally authorized to take charge of it. In November, 1774, John Atkinson qualified, it is supposed at the instance of John Paul, who had arrived here to wind up the estate, with John Waller, Jr., as surety, who was afterwards released and Charles Yates became his surety.

This Wm. Paul was the brother of John Paul, who afterwardsbecame the famous John Paul Jones. It has been asserted that Wm. Paul changed his name to Jones to inherit a plantation from Wm. Jones, either in Virginia or North Carolina. But this is shown to be a mistake from the fact that Wm. Paul, in 1770, bought property here as Wm. Paul, made his will in 1772 and signed it Wm. Paul, and died in 1773 and his tomb stone now bears on it the name of Wm. Paul. It was further asserted that in the agreement by which the plantation was to become the property of Wm. Paul, if Wm. Paul died without issue, the property was to go to John Paul on the condition that he would add Jones to his name, and that William did die without issue and the estate of William went to John. This is also a mistake. William did not die intestate, but made a will and gave his entire estate to his sister, Mary Young, and her two oldest children.

One clause of the will reads as follows: “It is my will and desire that my lots and houses in this town shall be sold and converted into money for as much as they will bring, that with all my other estate being sold, and what of my outstanding debts that can be collected, I give and bequeath to my beloved sister, Mary Young, and her two oldest children in Abigland, in the parish of Kirkbean, in Stewarty of Galloway, North Briton, and their heirs forever.” It is not believed that Wm. Paul owned any property out of town from the fact that the bond of his administrator was only five hundred pounds, which was generally double the amount of the estate. His estate in town consisted of his houses and lots, his merchandise and accounts due him, which must have been worth twelve or fifteen hundred dollars. Therefore the bond of $2,500 was sufficient only for his possessions in town, and no other is alluded to or mentioned in his will. It has been held that he owned property in the county of Spotsylvania, but that arises from the fact there were others by the name of Paul in the county who had property. But this William Paul is traced by the reference in his will to the parish of Kirkbean, Galloway, where his sister, Mary Young, and brother John lived.

Why John Paul changed his name to Jones was probably known only to himself. Many writers have undertaken to explain it, butwithout success, and the mystery is yet unsolved. In 1775 John Paul Jones’s name heads a list of naval lieutenants, and, because of his meritorious services, he was soon appointed a captain, and finally rose to the rank of commodore. His daring exploits and unequal, but successful, contests soon won for him the thanks of the American Congress, as well as the gratitude of the American people, while it carried terror and dismay to the enemies of his country. He greatly humiliated England by landing his fleet on her shores during the Revolutionary war, a thing that had not been done before for centuries, if ever, since it was a nation.

At the close of the war, in which he had covered himself with glory, he was offered an important command by the Empress of Russia against the Turks in the Black sea, which he accepted with the stipulation “that he was never to renounce the title of an American citizen.” He died in Paris in 1792, and was buried in that city, aged forty-five years. General Washington, then President of the United States, had just commissioned him for an important duty, but he died before the commission reached him. As the many years rolled on, rounding up a century, his body laid in an unknown grave, notwithstanding many efforts were made to locate it. In 1900 a body was found believed to be his, and there was great rejoicing in this country over the announcement, but, when carefully examined, it was found to be the remains of another and not those of the great American commodore. But this did not discourage those who had the matter in hand, and the search continued under the direction of Gen. Horace Porter, the American Ambassador to the Court of France, under great difficulties. On the 7th of April, 1905, the body was found in a cemetery known as Saint Louis, which was laid out in 1720 for a burial place for Protestants, but which had been closed more than half a century, and buildings were constructed upon it at the time of the discovery of the body. The remains were declared to be those of John Paul Jones, after every test had been applied that could be, and they were accepted by our government as those of the great naval hero. Some time was spent in preparing to remove the remains to this country, but early in 1906 they were placed upona United States man of war, escorted by vessels from England and France, and were landed at Annapolis, where they were reinterred in the presence of thousands of people from all parts of the country, with booming of cannon and every honor a grateful people could bestow upon him.

GEN. LEWIS LITTLEPAGE.

Gen. Lewis Littlepage, who died and was buried here in the burying ground of Masonic Lodge No. 4, was born in Hanover county, Virginia, and was one of the most brilliant men the State ever produced. His career was short, but in that short life he greatly distinguished himself as a scholar, soldier and diplomat. He was the protege of John Jay at the Court of France in 1782, was wounded at the siege of Gibraltar, was a member of the cabinet of the king of Poland, and the King’s chamberlain, with the rank of major-general; negotiated a treaty with the Empress of Russia, was a secret and special envoy to the Court of France to form the Grand Quadruple Alliance; was with Prince Potempkin in his march through Tartary des Negais; commanded a flotilla under Prince Nassau at his victory over the fleet of Turkey; was sent on an important mission to Madrid, in which he was successful; resisted the Russian invaders of Poland as aide-de-camp to the King; signed the Confederation of Fargowitz; envoy to St. Petersburg to prevent the division of Poland, but was stopped by the Russian government; was with Kosciusko in his attempt to free Poland; was at the storming of Prague, and was with King Stanislaus when he was captured by the Russians.

At the death of Stanislaus, Gen. Littlepage, becoming sick of European politics and broils, and, with his health shattered and gone, returned to America, settled in Fredericksburg and died before he had reached the age of forty years. His grave, in the western corner of the Masonic cemetery, is marked by a marble slab, which has on it this inscription:

“Here lies the body of Lewis Littlepage, who was born in the county of Hanover, in the State of Virginia, on the 19th day of December, 1762, and departed this life in Fredericksburg, on the19th of July, 1802, aged 39 years and 7 months. Honored for many years with the esteem and confidence of the unfortunate Stanislaus Augustus, King of Poland, he held under that monarch, until he lost his throne, the most distinguished offices, among which was that of Ambassador to Russia. He was by him created the Knight of St. Stanislaus, chamberlain and confidential secretary in his cabinet, and acted as his special envoy in the most important occasions of talents, of military as well as civil, he served with credit as an officer of high rank in different arms. In private life he was charitable, generous and just, and in the various public offices which he filled he acted with uniform magnanimity, fidelity and honor.”

The Christian Church.(Seepage 213)

The Trinity Episcopal Church.(Seepage 206)

CAPT. WM. LEWIS HERNDON.

Another hero, a native of Fredericksburg, whose remains found sepulture in a watery grave far out in the ocean’s depths, is worthy of mention in these pages. “Wm. Lewis Herndon, an American naval officer, born October 25, 1813, drowned by the sinking of the steamer Central America, September 12, 1857. He entered the navy at the age of fifteen, served in the Mexican war, and was engaged three years with his brother-in-law, Lieutenant Maury, in the National Observatory, at Washington. In 1851-52 he explored the Amazon river under the direction of the United States government. * * * In 1857 he was the commander of the steamer Central America, which left Havana for New York on September 8th, having on board 474 passengers, a crew of 105 men and about $2,000,000 of gold. On September the 11th, during a violent gale from the northeast and a heavy sea, the vessel sprung a leak and sunk on the evening of September 12th near the outer edge of the Gulf stream, in latitude 31 degrees 44 minutes north. Only 152 of the persons on board were saved, including the women and children; the gallant commander of the steamer was seen standing upon the wheel house at the time of her sinking.”[82]Capt. Herndon was an uncle of Dr. Herndon, who sacrificed his life at Fernandina, Florida, elsewhere mentioned.

JACOB FRIEZE.

Another man of note, remarkable for his physical endurance and strength of constitution, who lived in Fredericksburg and whose remains lie buried in the City cemetery, just to the left of the old gate on Commerce street, was Jacob Frieze. He died in 1869, just after having passed the ninety-first anniversary of his birth. He was born in France, and was one of Napoleon’s soldiers from the time his remarkable career commenced in Paris until it ended so disastrously at Waterloo.

Much of the soldier life of Mr. Frieze was spent as a member of Napoleon’s “Old Guard,” that “could die, but could never surrender,” and he was never so happy as when telling of his thrilling war experiences and narrow escapes. He was in the famous retreat from Moscow and could tell the most thrilling stories of the hardships and sufferings of the French army. The weather was intensely cold, sometimes reaching twenty-six degrees below zero, and, having to fight cold, hunger and the Russians, it is not strange that Napoleon left behind him over 330,000 French or allies, dead or prisoners. This marching, fighting, suffering and dying were all fresh in the mind of Mr. Frieze, who was a participant and eye witness, and he would entertain crowds who would gather around him for hours.

Prior to the Civil war there also lived in Fredericksburg Mr. John Eubank, who was a soldier under the Duke of Wellington at the battle of Waterloo and who stood guard over Napoleon on the Island of St. Helena. Notwithstanding the many years that had passed from their parting at Waterloo to their meeting again in Fredericksburg, Mr. Frieze and Mr. Eubank had not forgotten the sword and the spear and had not forgotten to dislike each other.

It was amusing to the bystanders to see these old soldiers meet on the streets, as they would invariably shake their fists at each other and grind their teeth and pass on without uttering a word.

Many of the citizens of the town still remember the willow baskets, of variegated colors, which Mr. Frieze made and peddled about town for a livelihood, as long as he was able to appear on the streets. Mr. Eubank moved to Charlottesville, where he died and was buried in that city.

A GRAND-NIECE OF WASHINGTON AND NAPOLEON.

The defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo sent into exile, among others, his grand-nephew, Prince Charles Louis Napoleon Achille Murat, a colonel in the defeated army, son of the exiled King of Naples and Charlotte Bonaparte. He settled in Tallahassee, Florida. Soon Col. Byrd C. Willis, of Willis Hill, moved to the same city, carrying with him his wife, Mary, daughter of Col. Fielding Lewis and Bettie Washington, and also his daughter, Catherine, who married a Mr. Grey and was left a widow at sixteen. She was beautiful, accomplished, winsome and a leader in society. She attracted the attention of the young prince, who laid siege to her affections and was victorious. The marriage soon followed. By this union Catherine, who was a grand-niece of Gen. Washington, became also a grand-niece of the great soldier, Napoleon Bonaparte. She was born where the National cemetery now stands and died in Florida August 6, 1867, in the 64th year of her age.

WELLFORD—HERNDON—WILLIS.

In the City cemetery lie the remains of Doctor Francis Preston Wellford. Dr. Wellford was a native of Fredericksburg, where he was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him for his gentle and kind disposition, his upright life, his abounding charity and his deep piety. In 1871 he left his native town and settled in Jacksonville, Florida, where he commenced the practice of medicine and established a high reputation as a skillful physician. His brethren of the profession were not slow in recognizing his ability and great worth, and made him president of the Medical Association of the State. He was holding that honorable position when the yellow fever scourge visited Fernandina, in 1877, which almost depopulated the town. For weeks it raged in the doomed city, and all of the physicians were either down with the disease or had become worn out with serving day and night. A call was made for assistance and volunteer physicians. Dr. Wellford, forgetting self, not fearing his personal danger, responded to the call and went to the sick and dying of the panic-stricken Fernandina. It was while ministering to those people he was stricken down anddied of the disease. Thus went down to his grave, amidst the tears of thousands of people, the noble physician and Christian gentleman, who sacrificed his life for the good of others. Dr. Wellford’s remains, some years after his death, were brought to Fredericksburg for final interment, and now repose in our beautiful cemetery.

In response to the call for physicians made by the people of Fernandina, another physician, born and raised in Fredericksburg, Dr. James C. Herndon, made his way to that city, and like Dr. Wellford, was stricken down and died from the disease. It is peculiarly appropriate that his sacrifice to professional duty should be acknowledged in connection with that of his brother physician’s.

To the honor of these noble men a memorial window has been placed in St. Peter’s Episcopal church in Fernandina by Dr. J. H. Upham, of Boston, who felt that they had honored the profession by the sacrifices they made, and he wanted their heroism to be placed upon a lasting record. In describing the window the Fernandina Mirror says:

“The design is that of a crown in the upper section of the arch. Below this is a beautiful shield of purple illuminated glass. A cross of mother of pearl forms the center of the window, ornamented by a bunch of grapes, with the symbol of the anchor representing Hope, the holy Scriptures, illustrating Christian Faith; alpha and omega, the symbol of the Almighty Power, the beginning and the end; the cup of salvation, and the paten, the emblem of sacrifice. In the lower part of the window an illuminated tablet has the following inscription:Francis Preston Wellford, M. D.,Born in Fredericksburg, Va.,Sept. 12th, 1829.James Carmichael Herndon, M. D.,Born in Fredericksburg, Va.,Sept. 22nd, 1831.Died in the faithful discharge of theirduties, at Fernandina, Florida,Oct. 18th, 1877.To whose memory as a grateful record of their noble lives and heroic deaths this window is dedicated by a New England member of the profession which they so much honored and adorned.‘Greater love hath no man than this,That he lay down his life for his friends.’“The beautiful execution of this window, and the noble purpose to which it is dedicated by its generous donor, deserve the admiration and warm appreciation of the citizens of Fernandina, to whom the memory of Drs. Wellford and Herndon is deservedly dear, and will be regarded by our citizens as a graceful professional tribute by Dr. Upham to these noble men, as well as an indication of his kind feelings towards our city. There is a striking coincidence in the fact that these noble men should have been born in the same city, in the same month, and, having volunteered their services, reached Fernandina in the midst of the epidemic on the same day, and that their deaths should have occurred the same day. It was, therefore, peculiarly fitting that the same memorial should have been erected to those who were faithful in life, even unto death.”

Francis Preston Wellford, M. D.,Born in Fredericksburg, Va.,Sept. 12th, 1829.James Carmichael Herndon, M. D.,Born in Fredericksburg, Va.,Sept. 22nd, 1831.Died in the faithful discharge of theirduties, at Fernandina, Florida,Oct. 18th, 1877.

To whose memory as a grateful record of their noble lives and heroic deaths this window is dedicated by a New England member of the profession which they so much honored and adorned.

‘Greater love hath no man than this,That he lay down his life for his friends.’

“The beautiful execution of this window, and the noble purpose to which it is dedicated by its generous donor, deserve the admiration and warm appreciation of the citizens of Fernandina, to whom the memory of Drs. Wellford and Herndon is deservedly dear, and will be regarded by our citizens as a graceful professional tribute by Dr. Upham to these noble men, as well as an indication of his kind feelings towards our city. There is a striking coincidence in the fact that these noble men should have been born in the same city, in the same month, and, having volunteered their services, reached Fernandina in the midst of the epidemic on the same day, and that their deaths should have occurred the same day. It was, therefore, peculiarly fitting that the same memorial should have been erected to those who were faithful in life, even unto death.”

William Willis, whose remains are buried in the City cemetery, left Fredericksburg for Memphis, Tenn., in the summer of 1870, which city he made his home. When the yellow fever scourge struck that place in 1878, and the city was deserted of most of its inhabitants, except the helpless, the sick and the dying, it was then, in spite of the entreaty of his friends to leave the city, that Wm. Willis stepped forth and took charge, as the chief executive in managing the affairs of the city, and in distributing food, clothing and medicine, sent from all quarters of the country, to the sick, the helpless and the needy. It was while in the execution of this noble work that he too, was stricken down, and a few days’ struggle with the terrible disease and William Willis was no more. In his delirium, feeling the great necessity of some one taking up the work, he had so faithfully prosecuted, where he was compelled to lay it down, he uttered these as his last words: “Send some good man to take my place,” and then peacefully passed to the spirit land.

Thus went down to their graves three Fredericksburg men in the years 1877-78 of yellow fever, who sacrificed their own lives to save the lives of others.

MRS. LUCY ANN COX.

There is buried in the City cemetery Mrs. Lucy Ann Cox, with this inscription upon her head-stone. “Lucy Ann Cox, wife of James A. Cox, died December 17, 1891, aged 64 years. A sharer of the toils, dangers and privations of the 30th Va. regiment infantry, C. S. A., from 1861 to 1865, and died beloved and respected by the veterans of that command.” The stone was erected by her friends. Mrs. Cox was the daughter of Jesse White, the practical printer, and married Mr. Cox just before the Civil war. She followed him all through the campaign of the entire war, cooking and washing for the soldiers of her command, and often ministering to the sick and wounded.

Molly Pitcher carried water from a spring, at Monmouth Courthouse, New Jersey, to her husband and others who had charge of a cannon during the battle, and when she saw her husband shot down and heard an officer order the gun to the rear, having no one to man it, she dropped her pail, ran to the cannon, seized the rammer and continued loading and firing the gun throughout the battle. For this heroic act Washington praised her, gave her an honorary commission as captain and Congress voted her half pay for life.

Mrs. Cox engaged in no battle, but instead of sharing the privations and dangers of her husband at one battle she followed him through the entire war of four years, and was voted the honor of a Confederate veteran after the war by the veterans themselves. It is doubtful whether in all the past a similar instance can be found.

A REMARKABLE GRAVE-STONE.

There is to be found in the burial ground of St. George’s church, at the east end of the Mission House, a grave-stone that has puzzled all antiquarians who have examined it and which has never yet been satisfactorily explained, and perhaps never will be. The inscription is as follows: “Charles M. Rothrock, departed this lifeSept. 29, 1084, aged three years.” The figures that make these dates are well preserved, much better than on many slabs and headstones in the same burial ground, which do not date back a century and a half, yet on this slab the figures are quite legibly cut in the sandstone, and there can be no doubt that the year is 1084. It has been considered such a mystery and of such importance that a photograph of the stone was taken and an engraving made for this publication.

THE LIBERTY BELL.

The very name—Liberty Bell—is music to our ears, and the mention of it should fill the breast of every true American with patriotic enthusiasm. That bell hung over a hall in Philadelphia in 1776, in which the Continental Congress had met to consider the momentous question that was then stirring every patriotic heart—American freedom. Virginia was represented in that Congress by George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee and Carter Braxton.

That body of patriots prepared, considered and adopted the Declaration of Independence, and as they finished signing their names to the instrument, on the fourth day of July, this bell rang out the thrilling news that Americans were freemen. Since that stirring event—that memorable day—that hall has been known as Independence Hall, and the bell that hung over it as the Liberty Bell.

On the 4th of October, 1895, the old Liberty Bell passed through Fredericksburg on its way from Philadelphia to Atlanta, Georgia, where it was to be exhibited at the great exhibition in that city. Prior to its coming Mayor Rowe had been notified when it would arrive and how long it would remain for inspection. The City Council was called together and steps were taken to give the old bell a grand reception and cordial welcome. A set of patriotic resolutions was adopted, extolling the events that brought the bell into such popular favor, recounting the part taken in those events by Virginians and the precious legacy left to us by our self-sacrificing forefathers, until a patriotic fervor pervaded the town.

The bell was accompanied by Hon. Charles F. Warwick, Mayor of Philadelphia; Wencel Harman, President of the Common Council, and thirteen members of that body; Charles K. Smith, Chairman of the Select Council, and thirteen members of that body; twelve officials of the city of Philadelphia, including S. A. Eisenhower, Chief of Bureau of City Property, and Custodian of the State House and Bell, with a guard of honor, consisting of four of the reserve police of Philadelphia.

A party, including a committee from the City Council—Messrs. John T. Knight, E. D. Cole and J. Stansbury Wallace—met the bell at Quantico, where Judge James B. Sener, who had accompanied the party from Washington, delivered an appropriate address of welcome on the part of the State of Virginia. The party arrived in Fredericksburg on time, and found at the depot a vast concourse of people and a procession headed by Bowering’s Band and the Washington Guards, consisting of the Mayor, ex-Mayors, Common Council, Sons of Confederate Veterans, school children and citizens generally.

The Free Lance—Star Office.(Seepage 227)

All the bells in town were ringing, the steam whistles were blowing and everybody was rejoicing. Such a time had scarcely, if ever, been seen before by our people. As soon as the train bearing the bell and escort halted, Mayor Rowe and others went on board the car, and, after the usual introductions and salutations, Mayor Rowe, who was somewhat indisposed, presented Mr. W. Seymour White, who made the welcome address as follows:

Mr. Mayor of Philadelphia and Gentlemen of the Escort of the Liberty Bell:It is with a most peculiar pleasure that we greet you and welcome this sacred relic within the boundaries of the Old Dominion. It is most fitting that it should rest upon the breast of this great old State, for it was the voice of a great Virginian that sounded the tocsin of the Revolution; it was the pen of a great Virginian that drafted the Declaration of Independence that was greeted by the voice of this bell; it was the sword of a great Virginian that made that declaration an accomplished fact, and it was while tolling therequiem for the soul of the great Virginian jurist, John Marshall, that its voice ever became silent. It is with feelings of heartfelt delight that we welcome it within the corporate limits of Fredericksburg, connected inseparably, as she is, like your own great and proud city of Philadelphia, with the events proclaimed in that glorious past by that sacred bell; for it was in Fredericksburg, on the 29th of April, 1775, that the first resolutions breathing the spirit of the Declaration of Independence were offered; it was in Fredericksburg that Hugh Mercer lived, whose ashes rest in your beloved soil, in whose defence he died; and in Fredericksburg once lived that great American President that gave to all the ages the grand doctrine that these United States would never tolerate the acquisition of an inch of American soil by any prince, potentate or power of Europe. We are glad that this bell is going about the land, in the language of your great and good president, Judge Thayer, “stirring up everywhere as it goes those memories and patriotic impulses that are so inseparably connected with its history, and which themselves can never grow mute,” and we doubt not that this bell, though voiceless now, can still “proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof; and who can tell but that as the rolling waves of the blue Mexican Gulf thunder upon the shores of the Queen of the Antilles, the proud, triumphal progress of the Liberty Bell, they may bear to patriots, struggling to be free in that far off land, the sympathy of the great hearts of American freemen that yet beat responsive to the efforts of those whose love of liberty is stronger than death?” We are glad that our men and women may see it, and at the sacred flame that burns about its altar replenish the patriotic fire that still is trimmed and burning in the hearts of a re-united American people. We are glad that our children may see it to learn from its presence and history that the dearest heritage left them by their fathers is that liberty and independence once proclaimed by this bell. And so we bid God speed to the bell which once “rang redress to all mankind,” as it goes through the land proclaiming to all the nations of the world that a “government by the people, of the people and for the people” has not perished from off the face of the earth,but “still lives the home of liberty and the birth-right of every American citizen.”

Mr. Mayor of Philadelphia and Gentlemen of the Escort of the Liberty Bell:

It is with a most peculiar pleasure that we greet you and welcome this sacred relic within the boundaries of the Old Dominion. It is most fitting that it should rest upon the breast of this great old State, for it was the voice of a great Virginian that sounded the tocsin of the Revolution; it was the pen of a great Virginian that drafted the Declaration of Independence that was greeted by the voice of this bell; it was the sword of a great Virginian that made that declaration an accomplished fact, and it was while tolling therequiem for the soul of the great Virginian jurist, John Marshall, that its voice ever became silent. It is with feelings of heartfelt delight that we welcome it within the corporate limits of Fredericksburg, connected inseparably, as she is, like your own great and proud city of Philadelphia, with the events proclaimed in that glorious past by that sacred bell; for it was in Fredericksburg, on the 29th of April, 1775, that the first resolutions breathing the spirit of the Declaration of Independence were offered; it was in Fredericksburg that Hugh Mercer lived, whose ashes rest in your beloved soil, in whose defence he died; and in Fredericksburg once lived that great American President that gave to all the ages the grand doctrine that these United States would never tolerate the acquisition of an inch of American soil by any prince, potentate or power of Europe. We are glad that this bell is going about the land, in the language of your great and good president, Judge Thayer, “stirring up everywhere as it goes those memories and patriotic impulses that are so inseparably connected with its history, and which themselves can never grow mute,” and we doubt not that this bell, though voiceless now, can still “proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof; and who can tell but that as the rolling waves of the blue Mexican Gulf thunder upon the shores of the Queen of the Antilles, the proud, triumphal progress of the Liberty Bell, they may bear to patriots, struggling to be free in that far off land, the sympathy of the great hearts of American freemen that yet beat responsive to the efforts of those whose love of liberty is stronger than death?” We are glad that our men and women may see it, and at the sacred flame that burns about its altar replenish the patriotic fire that still is trimmed and burning in the hearts of a re-united American people. We are glad that our children may see it to learn from its presence and history that the dearest heritage left them by their fathers is that liberty and independence once proclaimed by this bell. And so we bid God speed to the bell which once “rang redress to all mankind,” as it goes through the land proclaiming to all the nations of the world that a “government by the people, of the people and for the people” has not perished from off the face of the earth,but “still lives the home of liberty and the birth-right of every American citizen.”

Mayor Warwick responded in a patriotic and appropriate address, after which the guests were driven around town in carriages until the time for their departure, when they boarded the train and started on their trip South, delighted with their reception in Fredericksburg.

A Chinaman who witnessed the demonstration remarked that Christians charged his people with idolatry in worshipping the dead, because they honored their deceased parents, but a Chinaman never worshipped an old bell as he had seen Christian people doing on this occasion.

Visits of Heroes—Gala Days—The Society of the Army of the Potomac Enters Town, &c.

Fredericksburg has received the visits of many heroes and statesmen, and on various occasions has been placed on “dress parade,” and proved herself equal to the demands made upon her on every occasion. Only a few of these visits are mentioned here, but these few should be placed upon perpetual record that they may inspire our noble youth and the coming generations and cause them to appreciate more highly the great blessings transmitted to them through the efforts and achievements of those heroes.

GEN. GREEN VISITS THE TOWN.

The first we mention is the visit of Major-General Nathaniel Green, on his way from Georgia to his home in New Hampshire at the close of the Revolutionary war. In 1780 the patriot cause in Georgia and North Carolina appeared to be lost, in consequence of the overwhelming numbers of the British and the ravages of the Tories, which brought disaster to our arms. In this condition of things Washington recommended that Gen. Nathaniel Green should be placed in command, but Congress sent Gen. Gates instead. Before leaving for his new field Gen. Gates had an interview with Gen. Charles Lee—who was then without a command—in Fredericksburg, when Gen. Lee charged him in parting, “Beware that your northern laurels do not change to southern willows.” Gen. Gates went to his field of operation, met with disaster, and was relieved by Gen. Green; and it is worthy of note that Gen. Gates left Fredericksburg for his southern command, and Gen. Green passed through Fredericksburg when he went down to relieve him.

Gen. Green was fortunate in having to aid him in his southern department such dashing commanders as Gen. Daniel Morgan, of Winchester; Col. Wm. Washington, of Stafford, and Col. Henry Lee, of Westmoreland county—Gen. Robert E. Lee’s father and known as “Light Horse Harry.” With these brave men Greensucceeded in driving the British before him and subduing the Tories, thus restoring peace and quiet to that panic-stricken people, and greatly endearing him to all patriots. In grateful recognition of his services the State of Georgia gave him a magnificent farm and residence, and on his return from the South to his home, in New Hampshire, he met with grand ovations all along the route. He passed through Fredericksburg on the 12th of September, 1783. A public meeting of the citizens was called, which adopted and presented an address to the war-scarred hero. The masses gathered to greet him, and the old soldiers, who had just returned home from victorious fields, went into ecstasy over him. The following is the address of the people of Fredericksburg:

To the Honorable Major-General Green, Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of the United States of America, in the Southern Department:Sir—We, the inhabitants of the town of Fredericksburg, impressed with just sentiments of the importance of your singular services rendered our country, as Commander of the Armies of the United States in the Southern Department, cannot omit rendering you our acknowledgements as a grateful, though small, tribute, so justly due to your distinguished character as a soldier, a gentleman and friend to American liberty. We lament that the absence of the Mayor, and other officers of the corporation, deprives us of the opportunity of rendering you this token of gratitude in the style of a corporation, but we trust, sir, that your own conscious merit will give us credit, when we assure you that we now present you the united thanks of this city for your zealous, important and successful services in recovering the Southern States from our cruel enemy, and restoring peace, liberty and safety to so great a part of our country. We cannot express, sir, our great joy in seeing you once more among us, and language is too faint to paint the contrast in the cause of liberty since you passed us to take the command of the Southern Army. Permit us, therefore, to pass over the then gloomy moment and to participate in the pleasure you now enjoy in the possession of the AmericanLaurel, a crown as splendid as all the honors of a Roman Triumph. We also beg leave to followyou with our best wishes into domestic life. May you long enjoy uninterrupted, under your vine, all the happiness of that Peace, Liberty and Safety, for which you and your gallant officers and soldiers have so nobly fought and greatly conquered. We have the honor to be with every sentiment of respect, your most obedient and very humble servants. Signed by order of the inhabitants.Charles Mortimer,Chairman.Sept. 12, 1783.

To the Honorable Major-General Green, Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of the United States of America, in the Southern Department:

Sir—We, the inhabitants of the town of Fredericksburg, impressed with just sentiments of the importance of your singular services rendered our country, as Commander of the Armies of the United States in the Southern Department, cannot omit rendering you our acknowledgements as a grateful, though small, tribute, so justly due to your distinguished character as a soldier, a gentleman and friend to American liberty. We lament that the absence of the Mayor, and other officers of the corporation, deprives us of the opportunity of rendering you this token of gratitude in the style of a corporation, but we trust, sir, that your own conscious merit will give us credit, when we assure you that we now present you the united thanks of this city for your zealous, important and successful services in recovering the Southern States from our cruel enemy, and restoring peace, liberty and safety to so great a part of our country. We cannot express, sir, our great joy in seeing you once more among us, and language is too faint to paint the contrast in the cause of liberty since you passed us to take the command of the Southern Army. Permit us, therefore, to pass over the then gloomy moment and to participate in the pleasure you now enjoy in the possession of the AmericanLaurel, a crown as splendid as all the honors of a Roman Triumph. We also beg leave to followyou with our best wishes into domestic life. May you long enjoy uninterrupted, under your vine, all the happiness of that Peace, Liberty and Safety, for which you and your gallant officers and soldiers have so nobly fought and greatly conquered. We have the honor to be with every sentiment of respect, your most obedient and very humble servants. Signed by order of the inhabitants.

Charles Mortimer,Chairman.

Sept. 12, 1783.

To this address Gen. Green responded as follows:

To the Inhabitants of the City of Fredericksburg:Gentlemen—Highly flattered by your address, and no less honored by your sentiments, how shall I acknowledge fully your generosity in either! From your hearty welcome to this city and your good wishes for my future welfare I feel the overflowings of a grateful mind. The noblest reward for the best services is the favorable opinion of our fellow citizens. Happy in your assurances, I shall feel myself amply rewarded, if I have but the good wishes of my country. I have the honor to be, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servant,Nathaniel Green.Sept. 12, 1783.

To the Inhabitants of the City of Fredericksburg:

Gentlemen—Highly flattered by your address, and no less honored by your sentiments, how shall I acknowledge fully your generosity in either! From your hearty welcome to this city and your good wishes for my future welfare I feel the overflowings of a grateful mind. The noblest reward for the best services is the favorable opinion of our fellow citizens. Happy in your assurances, I shall feel myself amply rewarded, if I have but the good wishes of my country. I have the honor to be, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servant,

Nathaniel Green.

Sept. 12, 1783.

GEN. WASHINGTON VISITS HIS MOTHER.

In December, 1783, General Washington visited Fredericksburg. He had just resigned his commission of Commander-in-Chief of the American Armies, and as a private citizen had come to visit his mother and friends at his old home. He was the uncrowned King of America, and was uncrowned only because he refused to be crowned. He came with victory upon his brow, and peace and liberty for the American people. From mouth to mouth went the message—“the great and good Washington is coming.” From town and country the masses gathered to give him welcome and do him honor. The military turned out, the civic societies paraded, the cannon boomed and everybody went into raptures over his coming. The City Council was called together and the following address was adopted, amid the wildest enthusiasm, and presented to the grand American:

To his Excellency, General Washington, late Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of America:Sir—While applauding millions were offering you their warmest congratulations of the blessings of peace and your safe return from the hazards of the field, we, the Mayor and Commonalty of the corporation of Fredericksburg, were not wanting in attachment and wishes to have joined in public testimonies of our warmest gratitude and affection for your long and meritorious services in the cause of liberty; a cause, sir, in which, by your examples and exertions, with the aid of your gallant army, the virtuous citizens of this western world are secured in freedom and independence, and although you have laid aside your official character, we cannot omit this first opportunity you have given us of presenting, with unfeigned hearts, our sincere congratulations on your returning in safety from the noisy clashing of arms to the walks of domestic ease. And it affords us great joy to see you once more at a place that claims the honor of your growing infancy, the seat of your venerable and amiable parent and worthy relatives. We want language to express the happiness we feel on this occasion, which cannot be expressed but by superior acts (if possible) of the divine favor. May the great and omnipotent Ruler of all human events, who, in blessing America, has conducted you through so many dangers, continue his favor and protection through the remainder of your life in the happy society of an affectionate and grateful people. I have the honor to be, in behalf of the corporation, with every sentiment of esteem and respect, your Excellency’s most humble servant,William McWilliams,Mayor.

To his Excellency, General Washington, late Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of America:

Sir—While applauding millions were offering you their warmest congratulations of the blessings of peace and your safe return from the hazards of the field, we, the Mayor and Commonalty of the corporation of Fredericksburg, were not wanting in attachment and wishes to have joined in public testimonies of our warmest gratitude and affection for your long and meritorious services in the cause of liberty; a cause, sir, in which, by your examples and exertions, with the aid of your gallant army, the virtuous citizens of this western world are secured in freedom and independence, and although you have laid aside your official character, we cannot omit this first opportunity you have given us of presenting, with unfeigned hearts, our sincere congratulations on your returning in safety from the noisy clashing of arms to the walks of domestic ease. And it affords us great joy to see you once more at a place that claims the honor of your growing infancy, the seat of your venerable and amiable parent and worthy relatives. We want language to express the happiness we feel on this occasion, which cannot be expressed but by superior acts (if possible) of the divine favor. May the great and omnipotent Ruler of all human events, who, in blessing America, has conducted you through so many dangers, continue his favor and protection through the remainder of your life in the happy society of an affectionate and grateful people. I have the honor to be, in behalf of the corporation, with every sentiment of esteem and respect, your Excellency’s most humble servant,

William McWilliams,Mayor.

To this beautiful and appropriate address, the noble Washington responded as follows:

To the Worshipful, the Mayor and Commonalty of the Corporation of Fredericksburg:—Gentlemen—With the greatest pleasure I receive in the character of a private citizen, the honor of your address. To a benevolent Providence and the fortitude of a Brave and Virtuous army, supported by the general exertion of our common country, I standindebted for the plaudits you now bestow. The reflection, however, of having met the congratulating smiles and approbation of my fellow citizens for the part I have acted in the cause of Liberty and Independence cannot fail of adding pleasure to the other sweets of domestic life; and my sensibility of them is heightened by their coming from the respectable inhabitants of the place of my growing infancy[83]and the honorable mention which is made of my revered mother, by whose maternal hand (early deprived of a Father,) I was led to manhood. For the expressions of personal affection and attachment, and for your kind wishes for my future welfare, I offer grateful thanks and my sincere prayers for the happiness and prosperity of the corporate town of Fredericksburg.GoWashington.

To the Worshipful, the Mayor and Commonalty of the Corporation of Fredericksburg:—

Gentlemen—With the greatest pleasure I receive in the character of a private citizen, the honor of your address. To a benevolent Providence and the fortitude of a Brave and Virtuous army, supported by the general exertion of our common country, I standindebted for the plaudits you now bestow. The reflection, however, of having met the congratulating smiles and approbation of my fellow citizens for the part I have acted in the cause of Liberty and Independence cannot fail of adding pleasure to the other sweets of domestic life; and my sensibility of them is heightened by their coming from the respectable inhabitants of the place of my growing infancy[83]and the honorable mention which is made of my revered mother, by whose maternal hand (early deprived of a Father,) I was led to manhood. For the expressions of personal affection and attachment, and for your kind wishes for my future welfare, I offer grateful thanks and my sincere prayers for the happiness and prosperity of the corporate town of Fredericksburg.

GoWashington.

The ceremonies of this gala day were closed with a ball at the market-house at night, which is known in history as the “peace ball.” At the special request of the citizens, Mary, the mother of Washington, attended this ball and held a reception in company with her illustrious son. She “occupied a slightly elevated position, from which she could overlook the floor and see the dancers, and among them the kingly figure of the Commander-in-Chief, who led a Fredericksburg matron through a minuet.”[84]

It will be noticed—and the fact will no doubt be treasured with pride—that Washington, in his reply to the address on this occasion, alludes to Fredericksburg as the place of his “growing infancy,”which shows that, history and tradition to the contrary notwithstanding, he grew up in this town, where he was educated, and where the hand of that revered mother led him to manhood, and the address of Robt. Lewis, nephew of Washington, to Gen. Lafayette makes the same claim.

GEN. LAFAYETTE’S LAST VISIT.

On the 27th day of November, 1824, Gen. Lafayette visited the town and remained two days. He was Washington’s right arm in the Revolutionary war, and was visiting for the last time the early home of Washington, where he took affectionate farewell of Washington’s mother, in the early part of the year 1783, as he returned to France. The General’s coming was known some days beforehand and a splendid mounted guard of honor was organized in town and country, who met him just above the “Wilderness Tavern.” At that place hundreds of others joined the procession, including the volunteer companies from Fredericksburg, and thus he and his party—his son George Washington and Colonel La Vasseur—were escorted to town by hundreds of mounted men and men on foot, with martial music, amid the grandest display and wildest enthusiasm on the part of the people. He received a welcome to the town no less cordial and sincere than was accorded to Green and Washington, because the liberty, so highly prized and gratefully enjoyed by them, was not achieved by Green and Washington without the aid of Lafayette. A public reception was held during the day, when he was welcomed by Mayor Robert Lewis, Washington’s nephew, and Lafayette’s intimate friend, and thousands shook him by the hand and wished him a safe voyage home to his own beloved France.

At night a ball was given in his honor over the present market-house, where hundreds gathered to do him honor and contribute to his pleasure. The next day being Sunday he visited the Masonic Lodge, which was the mother lodge of his “bosom friend,” Washington, enrolled his name as an honorary member, eulogized Washington and attended services at St. George’s Episcopal church.

Entrance to National Cemetery, erected on Willis’s Hill, a portion of the Marye Heights.(Seepage 190)

The Superintendent’s Lodge at the National Cemetery, constructedof the stone taken from the famous “stone wall.”(Seepage 191)

On the following morning, with the same mounted escort, withmusic and the booming of cannon, he departed for the Potomac river, on his way to the city of Washington, with the best wishes and earnest prayers of all the good people of Fredericksburg.

At the reception at the town hall were Mr. Lafayette Johnston and his good wife, Mrs. Eliza Johnston. Mr. Johnston was named for Lafayette, and having a son born to them during Lafayette’s visit in this country, concluded to add a further honor to the General by naming their son for him, which they did and notified the General of it. Lafayette responded with the following letter, which is now framed and in possession of Mr. H. Stuart Johnston, a great-grandson:

Washington,January 6, 1825.Dear Sir—I am much obliged to the remembrance of my brother soldier when he gave you my name, and am now to thank you for an act of kindness of the same nature conferred upon me by his son. I beg your consort and yourself to accept my acknowledgement to you, my blessing upon the boy, and my good wishes to the family.Most truly, yours,Lafayette.To Fayette Johnston, Esq.

Washington,January 6, 1825.

Dear Sir—I am much obliged to the remembrance of my brother soldier when he gave you my name, and am now to thank you for an act of kindness of the same nature conferred upon me by his son. I beg your consort and yourself to accept my acknowledgement to you, my blessing upon the boy, and my good wishes to the family.

Most truly, yours,Lafayette.

To Fayette Johnston, Esq.

GEN. ANDREW JACKSON’S VISIT.

The next hero to visit the town, that we mention, was the “Hero of New Orleans,” Andrew Jackson, President of the United States, who, with most of his cabinet, came on the 7th of May, 1833. The occasion was the laying of the corner-stone of the Mary Washington monument, which Mr. Silas Burrows proposed to erect to her memory. The civic and military display was very imposing and the crowd was well up into the thousands.

Military companies from Washington, Alexandria, Fauquier county, and United States marines, and our own military companies, were in line, under the command of Col. John Bankhead, of White Plains, chief marshal. Col. John B. Hill was chief architect of the monument. It was a great day in Fredericksburg.

DEDICATION OF MARY WASHINGTON MONUMENT.

The next occasion was the dedication of the Mary Washington monument, erected by the Ladies’ Mary Washington MonumentAssociations, national and local, on the 10th of May, 1894, sixty-one years and three days after the laying of the corner-stone of the Burrows monument. A more beautiful day could not have dawned upon the city, and everything had been well planned and faithfully executed for the grand event of the day.

The streets and houses were beautifully decorated all along the route of the march, and the private residences were adorned and made gay with national and State flags. It was a general holiday for town and country, and it appeared that everybody was present and intent upon seeing the dignitaries who were to be here and hearing the addresses and ceremonies. Besides hundreds of invited guests from different parts of the United States, distinguished men and ladies, President Cleveland and nearly the entire cabinet and their wives, Vice-President Stevenson and Mrs. Stevenson, United States Senators, Representatives in Congress, Governor O’Ferrall and his staff, two members of the Supreme Court of the United States—Chief Justice Fuller and Justice Harlan—were present. The crowd was so immense that the ground seemed to tremble under their tread. It was the biggest day Fredericksburg ever had in the memory of man.

FREDERICKSBURGERS EVERYWHERE.

Fredericksburg has one peculiarity that tradition gives her, which is worthy of a place in this sketch, and that is, that in every city of any size in the civilized world a native of Fredericksburg, or some one who has lived in Fredericksburg, can be found. This is said to have been an old saying of tourists, sailors, marines and naval officers, who candidly declared that they were always able to find a Fredericksburger in every place of any size they had visited.

Capt. George Minor, who was born and raised in Fredericksburg, and who was a captain in the United States navy, and afterwards in the Confederate navy, often related this curious fact, and stated that it was positively true as to him in all his travels both by land and sea. In connection with this singular fact he related this incident: Before the Civil war he sailed into the harbor of the city of Honolulu, on the Hawaii islands, which have recently become apart of the United States. He thought of this peculiarity of his old home town, but felt confident that no Fredericksburger could be found in Honolulu, situated as it was away out in the Pacific ocean. He made his way to the city, and, after some delay, procured a guide to conduct him about the place, who could speak English.

As they progressed on their rounds from place to place, the guide pointing out places of note, giving an interesting history of the place and people, their customs, habits and peculiarities, he found himself very much interested in his guide and his narratives, and wished to know something of his history. So he asked him: “Are you a native of Honolulu!” “No, sir,” was the response of the guide. “Well,” continued the Captain, “where are you from?” “I am from Fredericksburg, Virginia,” answered the guide. “I learned my trade of printer under Timothy Green, in the Virginia Herald office.” “I am from Fredericksburg, too, and know Mr. Green well,” said Capt. Minor, and the two Fredericksburgers had a real love feast. After that experience Capt. Minor said he never expected to land anywhere that he did not find a Fredericksburg man.

THE SOCIETY OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC ENTERS TOWN.

The hospitality of the people of Fredericksburg is as well known probably as any other characteristic of her citizens. It has been thoroughly tested on many occasions, and has never failed to measure up to the demands and even exceeded the expectations of the recipients. It is gratifying, too, to be able to say that even our former enemies have been partakers of the hospitalities of the town, at our private residences and in our public halls, and have found language too poor to properly express their gratification of the warm welcome and the generous hospitality they received while in our midst. This was the case with the Society of the Army of the Potomac in May, 1900.

It had been suggested by some of the prominent citizens of the town that it would be a gracious thing, and would testify our kind feeling towards the members of that organization, for the City Council to invite the Society of the Army of the Potomac to holdits thirty-first annual reunion, in 1900, in the city of Fredericksburg, as guests of the town. The society had never held a reunion on southern soil, and it was deemed appropriate that its first meeting should be here, where they could meet and mingle with Confederate veterans, where so many bloody battles were fought between the two great armies of the Civil war.

It had been intimated that members of the society, and even officials of the organization, had expressed a desire to hold a session in Fredericksburg, which would give many old soldiers an opportunity to visit again the historic grounds, over which they had fought, and view the country in times of peace. The City Council caught the spirit and approved the suggestion, and on the 27th of July, 1899, unanimously passed the following resolution:

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