The first Ladies Memorial Association was organized at Fredericksburg in 1865, and in response to liberal contributions the present cemetery was laid out, and the Confederate dead who were buried at various places were gathered together and each grave marked. In 1874 the corner stone was laid of the monument erected on a mound in the center of the space. This monument is about 6 feet high made of gray granite, and on top has a life size statue of a Confederate soldier at dress parade. On the front of the monument is the inscription "To the Confederate Dead." About 2,500 are buried here, of which about 600 are unknown. [Illustration: MONUMENT TO MARY THE MOTHER OF WASHINGTON] Mary Washington Monument About a stone throw from Kenmore, Mary, the mother of Washington is buried. This spot was selected by herself, declaring it to be preferable to any location, as it could never be cultivated, being near a rocky crag, a part of the original Kenmore land. [Illustration: MONUMENT ERECTED IN 1833] After the remains of the venerable matron had lain for forty-four years, a monument was partially erected to her memory by Silas E. Burrows, a wealthy New York merchant. The corner-stone was laid with imposing pomp on May 7, 1833. Andrew Jackson, President of the U. S., several members of his Cabinet, numbers of distinguished citizens from Washington, the Marine Band and military came to swell the pageant. This monument of white Italian marble was never finished, and for more than sixty years laid a prey to the relic hunters and ravishes of time. In 1889, the nation was startled with the announcement that the grave and unfinished monument to Mary Washington would be sold at public auction from the steps of the Capitol at Washington, indignant meetings were held and the sale abandoned by its originators. The women of America organized to erect a monument to the memory of their fellow countrywoman, which they did; unveiling May 10, 1894, a monument fifty feet high, and comprising a monolith of forty feet, standing on bases eleven feet square and ten feet high. The whole shaft is of Barre granite and of the finest workmanship. President Cleveland, many of his Cabinet, the Governor of Virginia, the Marine Band, companies of military and thousands of people witnessed the ceremony. Just back of the monument is a ledge of rocks known as "Meditation Rock," where she used often to resort for private reading, meditation and prayer, under the shade of the beautiful grove of Oak trees. Mary Washington House This plain, old-fashioned dwelling on the corner of Charles and Lewis streets was the home of Mary the mother of Washington until her death in 1789. [Illustration] Up to the death of her husband she lived just across the river, opposite Fredericksburg, at the "Washington Farm" and it was in these two homes the illustrious George was raised to manhood.