The History of the City of Fredericksburg, VirginiaQuinn, S. J. (Silvanus Jackson)
History
The History of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia
Quinn, S. J. (Silvanus Jackson)
Fredericksburg (Va.) -- History
The streets of the town were thronged with thousands of people from far
and near, eager and anxious to witness the ceremonies. Never before was
such a vast number of people seen in Fredericksburg, except at the great
battle in December, 1862. The dedicatory services were conducted by the
Grand Lodge of Masons of Virginia, Major Mann Page, Jr., Grand Master,[59]
which were solemn and impressive. Addresses, appropriate to the occasion,
were made by Mayor A. P. Rowe, Governor Charles T. O'Ferrall, President
Grover Cleveland and Mr. Blair Lee, who were followed by Senator John W.
Daniel, the orator of the occasion.
Fredericksburg Lodge, No. 4, gave a grand banquet at the opera house in
the afternoon to the Masonic fraternity and several hundred invited
guests, which was presided over by Judge James B. Sener. On that
interesting occasion addresses were made by several distinguished guests,
including President Cleveland, Vice-President Stevenson, Justice Harlan
and others. The Marine band was present and furnished music of the highest
order for both the dedication and banquet. Since the monument was finished
the associations have erected a comfortable granite building on the
grounds for a residence and office for the custodian of the monument and
the grounds, and Mrs. John T. Goolrick, a descendant of George Mason,
occupies that position.
MARY WASHINGTON'S WILL.
The last will and testament of Mary Washington has for many years
attracted general interest, and numerous visitors call at the courthouse
to inspect and feast their eyes upon the original document. So precious
does the court regard this relic that an order was made for its
preservation, and it is now in a case and receives the special attention
and care of Mr. A. B. Yates, the polite and accommodating clerk of the
court. The will is in these words:
"In the name of God, amen. I, Mary Washington, of Fredericksburg, in
the county of Spotsylvania, being in good health, but calling to mind
the uncertainty of this life and willing to dispose of what remains
of my earthly estate, do make and publish this my last will,
recommending my soul into the hands of my Creator, hoping for a
remission of all my sins through the merits and mediation of Jesus
Christ, the Saviour of mankind. I dispose of all my worldly estate as
follows:
Imprimis. I give to my son General George Washington all my lands on
Accokeek Run, in the county of Stafford, and also my negro boy,
George, to him and his heirs forever; also my best bed, bedstead, and
Virginia cloth curtains (the same that stands in my best room), my
quilted blue-and-white quilt and my best dressing glass.
Item. I give and devise to my son, Charles Washington my negro man,
Tom, to him and his assigns forever.
Item. I give and devise to my daughter, Betty Lewis, my phæton and my
bay horse.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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