Chapter VI: Revelations of an Old Will

The old will proves beyond all question that Mary Ball's girlhood was not passed in Lancaster, that she had ample opportunity for education, and was, therefore, not untaught until she was sixteen. She, probably, never visited Williamsburg when seventeen,--certainly never with her mother. There never was a Sister Susie! At the time the Williamsburg letter announced the recent death of her mother, that mother had for many years been sleeping quietly in her grave. Moreover, the letter of Mary herself had done a great injustice to Gloucester parish, which was not a "poor parish" at all--with an impecunious curate working for his board--but a parish erecting at that moment so fine a church that Bishop Meade's pious humility suffered in describing it.

From Dr. Beale's researches we learn that the "Rose of Epping Forest" was a tiny bud indeed when her father died; that before her fifth birthday her mother had married Captain Richard Hewes, a vestryman of St. Stephen's parish, Northumberland, and removed to that parish with her three children, John and Elizabeth Johnson, and our own little Mary Ball.

In 1713, Captain Hewes died, and his inventory was filed by his "widow, Mary Hewes," who also died in the summer of 1721. "It is seldom," says Dr. Beale,[3] commenting upon her last will and testament, "that in a document of this kind, maternal affection--having other and older children to share its bequests--so concentrates itself upon a youngest daughter, and she a child of thirteen summers. Perhaps of all the tributes laid at the feet of Mary Washington, none has been more heart-felt or significant of her worth than legacies of her mother's last will and testament, written as they were, all unconsciously of her future distinction." The will discovered by the Rev. G. W. Beale settles all controversies. For the benefit of those who must see in order to believe, we copy it verbatim.

[3] Rev. G. W. Beale in the _Virginia Historical Magazine_.

"In the name of God Amen, the seventeenth Day December in the
year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and twenty."

"I Mary Hewes of St. Stephen's Parish, Northumberland County,
widow, being sick and weak in body but of sound and perfect
memory, thanks be to Almighty God for the same, and calling to
mind the uncertain state of this transitory life, and that the
flesh must yield unto Death, when it shall please God to call,
do make and ordain this my last will and Testament.

"First, I give and bequeath my soul (to God) that gave it me,
and my body to the Earth to be buried in Decent Christian burial
at the discretion of my executors in these presents nominated.
And as touching such Worldly estate which it hath pleased God to
bestow upon me, I give, devise and dispose of in the following
manner and form. _Imprimis_, I give and devise unto my Daughter
Mary Ball one young likely negro woman to be purchased for her
out of my Estate by my Executors and to be delivered unto her
the said Mary Ball at the age of Eighteen years, but, my will
is that if the said Mary Ball should dye without Issue lawfully
begotten of her body that the said negro woman with her increase
shall return to my loving son John Johnson to him, his heirs and
assigns forever.

"_Item._ I give and bequeath unto my said Daughter Mary Ball two
gold rings, the one being a large hoop and the other a stoned
ring.

"_Item._ I give unto my said Daughter Mary Ball one young mare
and her increase which said mare I formerly gave her by word of
mouth.

"_Item._ I give and bequeath unto my said Daughter Mary Ball
sufficient furniture for the bed her father Joseph Ball left
her, vizt: One suit of good curtains and fallens, one Rugg, one
Quilt, one pair Blankets.

"_Item._ I give and bequeath unto my said Daughter Mary Ball two
Diaper Table clothes marked M. B. with inck, and one Dozen of
Diaper napkins, two towels, six plates, two pewter dishes, two
basins, one large iron pott, one Frying pan, one old trunk.

"_Item._ I give and bequeath unto my said Daughter Mary Ball,
one good young Paceing horse together with a good silk plush
side saddle to be purchased by my Executors out of my Estate.

"_Item._ I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth Bonum
one suit of white and black callico, being part of my own
wearing apparel.

"_Item._ All the rest of my wearing apparel I give and bequeath
unto my said Daughter Mary Ball, and I do hereby appoint her
(to) be under Tutiledge and government of Capt. George Eskridge
during her minority.

"_Item._ My will is I do hereby oblige my Executors to pay to
the proprietor or his agent for the securing of my said Daughter
Mary Ball her land Twelve pounds if so much (be) due.

"_Item._ All the rest of my Estate real and personal whatsoever
and wheresoever I give and devise unto my son John Johnson,
and to his heirs lawfully to be begotten of his body, and for
default of such Issue I give and devise the said Estate unto my
Daughter Elizabeth Bonum, her heirs and assigns forever.

"_Item._ I do hereby appoint my son John Johnson and my trusty
and well beloved friend George Eskridge Executors of this my
last will and Testament and also revoke and Disannul all other
former wills or Testaments by me heretofore made or caused to be
made either by word or writing, ratifying and confirming this to
be my last Will and Testament and no other.

"In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seal the
Day and Date at first above written.

"The mark and seal of Mary III Hewes. Sig. (Seal) Signed, Sealed
and Published and Declared by Mary Hewes to be her last Will and
Testament in presence of us.

"The mark of Robert × Bradley.
"The mark of Ralph × Smithurst

"David Stranghan."

The chief witness to this will was a teacher of no mean repute who lived near Mrs. Hewes, "And," says Dr. Beale, "others might be named who followed the same calling in Mary Ball's girlhood and near her home."

The son, John Johnson, named as joint executor in his mother's will, died very soon after her. His will and hers were recorded on the same day. The first bequest reveals his affection for his little half-sister.

"_Imprimis._ I give and bequeath unto my sister Mary Ball all my
land in Stafford which my father-in-law Richard Hewes gave me,
to the said Mary Ball and her heirs lawfully to be begotten of
her body forever."

The will of Samuel Bonum, husband of the "Elizabeth" mentioned in Mrs. Hewes's will, was probated in Westmoreland, Feb. 22, 1726, and contains an item bequeathing "to my sister-in-law Mary Ball, my young dapple gray riding horse." Mary Ball was then eighteen years old.

So it appears that the mother of Washington, although not rich, according to the standard of that day or this, was fairly well endowed with Virginia real estate. Also that she owned three or more riding-horses, her own maid, a few jewels, and house plenishing sufficient for the station of a lady in her day and generation.