McCallister, Ellen. "This Melancholy Scene." Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, Annual Report, 1981, 13-15.

From Thomas Law to his son John Law, 5/23/1802

“I have been detained here near three weeks a painful witness of Mrs. Washingtons [sic] sufferings under a fever which terminated her well spent life yesterday at 12 oclock PM—from the beginning she prepared for death, gave advice to her grandchildren sent for the Clergyman & took the sacrament, & at last directed a white gown to be brought which she had previously laid by for the last dress—Fortitude & resignation were display’d throughout, she met death as a relief from the infirmities & melancholy of old age—all she valued in life had been take [sic] from her—I feel unfeigned grief at this loss for marked attention & numerous little kindnesses had created a sincere affection. This melancholy scene conveys a serious lesson to all of us; I fear there is too much truth in the observation of Johnson that Life protracted is protracted woe…On Tuesday I join a real mourner the solemn procession & then bid adieu to this mansion under whose hospitable roof I beheld examples of rectitude & beneficence….our little girl [Law’s daughter Eliza, then about 5 years old] has silently walked about shedding tears & has shewn [sic] real sensibility by never mentg. her Grandmama, who doated [sic] upon her….” (15)

Weems, Mason Locke. Peter S. Onuf, ed. The Life of Washington. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe, 1996.

Thornton, William. Harris Charles M. and Daniel Preston, eds. Papers of William Thornton. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 1995.

From William Thornton to John Marshall, 1/2/1800: “[re: the plan to put George Washington’s body in the Unites States Capitol]…But in fulfilling this duty there is another which will give great comfort to her who enjoyed the felicity of being the partner of his life. She expressed, in her affliction, the hope of soon lying in the same humble vault prepared for his family, and considered it as the last temporal consolation. The body of her beloved friend and companion is now requested and she does not refuse the national wish—but if an intimation could be given that she should partake merely of the same place of deposit it would restore to her mind a calm and repose that this acquiescence in the national wish has in a high degree affected. You, who know her, are not unacquainted with her high virtues, and know that her love for the departed would be the only reason why such a wish could be entertained. She cannot be more honoured than she has been and, were it possible, the nation would give a still further proof of sensibility on this melancholy occasion, by a resolution in favour of her who possessed the heart of the late Friend of Man. I presume not to dictate any mode; but you will with liberality pardon the suggestion of a private individual. If a secret vote of the House were to be taken, and the result only made known to herself or friends, and be publickly [sic] declared after her death, it would appear, in my opinion, to the whole world, not only as a high mark of respect, but peculiarly delicate. That I write this is unknown to any of the family, and I hope you and they will excuse the liberty I take….” (527)

letter

Obituary of Martha Washington, Alexandria Advertiser and Commercial Intelligencer, May 25, 1802.

Library of Congress

5/25/1802

“On Saturday the 22nd of May at 12 o’clock P.M. Mrs. Washington terminated her well spent life…..She was the worthy partner of the worthiest of men, and those who witnessed their conduct could not determine which excelled in their different characters, both were so well sustained on every occasion. They lived an honor and a pattern to their country, and are taken from us to receive the rewards—promised to the faithful and the just.”

newspaper

Trumbull, John. Washington Resigning His Commission, Annapolis, December 23, 1783. 1817-1822, oil on canvas. CAP Ref. 1832.8. Yale University Art Gallery.

painting

Tudor Place Foundation

clothing

The Martha Washington Collection, Mount Vernon.

The Martha Washington Collection, Mount Vernon.

DIED, AT Mount Vernon, on Saturday evening the 22d ult. Mrs. MARTHA WASHINGTON, widow of the late illustrious Gen. George Washington. To those amiable and christian virtues, which adorn the female character, she added dignity of manners, superiority of understanding, a mind intelligent and elevated. -- The silence of respectful grief is our best eulogy.