Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 July 1891 — WASHINGTON’S MOTHER. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WASHINGTON’S MOTHER.

A Now Monument to Bo Vmted Or«t Her GraveMrs. L. J. Beard, a New Yoj-k business woman and a most patriotio American, has been empowered by Mrs. John T. Goolrick, President o/ the Mary W&shiugton Monument Ajvsociation, of Fredericksburg, Ya., to take steps toward the robing of a fund to aid in the erection of a now monument to be placed over the grave of Mary Washington, the mother of George Washington, at Fredericksburg. The present monument was erected mauy rears ago, and has not only never been finished but has lallen into partial decay. The patriotio feelings of the ladies of Virginia became aroused over this fact some time ago, and the present association was formed for the purpose of-erecting a new-monument. Mrs. Beard’s plan is to have a large number of steel engravings made of

■Mary Washington, taken from an oil painting now in the possession of descendants of George Washington living at Fredericksburg. This is the only‘likeness q{ Mrs. Washington in existence and was painted in England. .While being brought to this country the face of the picture was slightly damaged. Fifty-five years ago an effort was made in Philadelphia to .remedy the injury, but with slight .‘success. : The proposed engravings will be made by a New York Arm of acknowledged ability, and will be quite large in size. It is. estimated that four mouths will be required to complete the work. The engraving will be placed on sale iu all parts of the country at a moderate price. Speoial arrangements will be made for its sale at the World’s Fair. The receipts will be placed in the hands of the Executive Committee, among them being several citizens of New York, whose high standing will be a guarantee that the money will be properly applied. A caveat to secure the copyright of the engraving has been filed by Mrs. Beard at Washington. She intends to offer a prize for the best poem embodying the virtues of Mrs. Washington and making reference to the erection of the new monument. This poem will be inscribed on a slab of onyx, to be inserted in the

base of the monument. The material composing the present monument will be in the construction of the ooe to be erected. Any portion of the fund remaining after the new monument has been completed will be devoted to purchasing all relics formerly belonging to the Washington family which may be for sale. These will be preserved iu some public institution hereafter to be selected. i

MART, THE MOTHER OF WASHINGTON. (From the only portrait In existence.)

MARY WASHINGTON MONUMENT.