We may well fancy that her image was before him all the way. She had worn a gown of white dimity, with a cluster of Mayblossoms at her belt, and a little white widow’s cap half covered her soft brown hair.
She was twenty-six, some three months younger than Washington; she had wealth, and two children. Mr. Custis had been older than his Patsy, for she was married when she was but seventeen. He had been a faithful and affectionate husband, but he had not appealed to her imagination, and it was doubtless through her imagination, that the big Virginia Colonel won her heart.
She left Mr. Chamberlayne’s and went to her home—the “White House”—near William’s Ferry. The story is that when Washington came from Williamsburg, he was met at the ferry by one of Mrs. Custis’s slaves. “Is your mistress at home?” he inquired of the negro who was rowing him across the river.
“Yes, sah,” replied the darkey, then added slyly, “I recon you am de man what am expected.”
It was late in the afternoon of the next day when Washington took his departure, but he had her promise and was happy. A ring was ordered from Philadelphia, and is duly set down in his accounts: “One engagement ring, two pounds, sixteen shillings.”
Then came weary months of service in the field, and they saw each other only four times before they were married. There were doubtless frequent letters, but only one of them remains. It is the letter of a soldier:
“We have begun our march for the Ohio, [he wrote]. A courier is starting for Williamsburg, and I embrace the opportunity to send a few words to one whose life is now inseparable from mine.
“Since that happy hour, when we made our pledges to each other, my thoughts have been continually going to you as to another self. That an All-powerful Providence may keep us both in safety is the prayer of your ever faithful and affectionate Friend,
”G. Washington
“20th of July
Mrs. Martha Custis.”