The Mary Ball Washington’s Fight for Independence Martha Washington, Quilt Maker and Businesswoman Extraordinaire The Ladies and the Suffrage Movement Spring 2020 Rebecca Aloisi, Editor Norie Quintos, Editorial Consultant CONTRIBUTORS: Rebecca Baird Learn more about George Washington and Steve Bashore whiskey or take a virtual tour of the distillery. Ann Greer Amanda Isaac Eric Litchford mountvernon.org/distillery Jessie MacLeod Tom Reinhart Rebekah Hanover Pettit, Senior Designer Dawn Bonner, Visual Resources Manager Thalia Romero, Production Coordinator Cover image: Council of 1921, Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association TOC Image: Detail from Martha Washington's Neo-classical Swags quilt top. Photo by Sierra Medellin, MVLA Mount Vernon magazine is published three times a year by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, the nonprofit organization that owns and manages George Washington’s estate. We envision an America where all know and value the singular story of the father of our country. Ever mindful of our past, we seek innovative and compelling ways to tell the story of George Washington, so that his timeless and relevant life lessons are accessible to the world. This publication is produced solely for nonprofit, educational purposes, and every reasonable effort is made to provide accurate and appropriate attribution for all elements, including historic images in the public domain. All written material, unless otherwise stated, is the copyright FEATURES of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. While vetted for accuracy, the feature articles included in this magazine reflect the research and interpretation of the contributing authors and historians. George Washington’s Mount Vernon P.O. Box 110, Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121 All editorial, reprint, or circulation correspondence should be directed to 24 30 38 [email protected]. mountvernon.org/magazine Proud The Ladies and A Stitch in Mary the Vote Time New research unveils a more Women’s suffrage? The strong Out of the folds of the nuanced portrait of George and independent members three known quilts Martha Washington’s mother, and her of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Washington's hand sewed, a fight for independence. Association were divided historical tapestry emerges. on the issue. By Martha Saxton By Amanda C. Isaac By Rebecca Baird and Jessie MacLeod Tom Davis Alla Nancy Jack Gideon Sall Aaron Delia Jamie Briney Betty Suckey Gabriel Emery Felicia Randolph George Priscilla Sam Paris Brunswick John Lewis Hannah Grace Daphne Muclus Judith Sarah Sarah Flatfoot Dennis DEPARTMENTS Renney Brunswick Jude Jenny Joe Adam Joe Richardson Jenny Daniel Jupiter MVLA Doll Will Savary Paul Henry Peg Betty Abram Julius Peter Will Elizabeth Jamie Winna Tom Doll Ruth Nan Dennis Essex Ephraim Daphne Letty Lydia Tom 14 | Behind the Scenes How MVLA archivist Rebecca Baird keeps thousands of Gabriel Alce Agnes Nancy Charity Jasper Martin Dula Bristol Anderson Peg historical documents organized. George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate is owned Joe Sinah Sambo Anderson Ned Abram Frank Lee Phillis Hannah Rachel Alce and maintained in trust for the people of the United Bacchus Grace Anna Doll William Lee Ambrose Lewis Ben Grace Peter Kate States by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association of 16 | Focus on Philanthropy the Union, a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization Will James Ambrose Peter Sabine Rose Jack Israel Glasgow Troy Teney Jack founded in 1853 by Ann Pamela Cunningham. Una Davis honors her history-loving late mother Diana Jacob Gutridge Duffy Molly George Tom Siss Sando Charles Matt Penny with a generous gift. MOUNT VERNON LADIES’ ASSOCIATION Amy Nell Heuky Sam Suckey Doll Elly Daphne Sam Kitt Breechy Andrew Ned Sarah Miller Coulson, Regent Ann Cady Scott, Secretary Betty Alce Patience Farrow Charlotte Winny Joe Kate Moll Ned Townshend Margaret Hartman Nichols, Treasurer 18 | Object Spotlight Nanny Hannah Charles Sall Twine Maria Delphy Judge Sylvia Flora Davy Daniel VICE REGENTS Shell cushions showcase Martha Washington’s fancy fingerwork. Cameron Kock Mayer, Louisiana Will Betty Davis Forrester Lydia Sam Anna Tom Davy Ben Hubbard Schomberg Maribeth Armstrong Borthwick, California Moll Eneas Isaac Caesar Levina Peg Barbara Peter Hardiman Reuben Sall Ann Haunschild Bookout, Texas 46 | Washington in the Classroom Jean Armfield Sherrill, North Carolina Jesse Alexander Lucy Deborah Spencer Sylvia Billy James Bob Sue Harry Virginia Dawson Lane, South Carolina The contributions of women take center stage in history teacher Laura Peebles Rutherford, Alabama Betty Strephon Anthony Betty Charles Syphax Daniel Randolph Will Sarah Tom Bonnie Belshe’s California classroom. Susan Marshall Townsend, Delaware Matilda Edy Jones Augusta Tom Will Molly Abbey Lucy Nan Nathan Lett Marcus Anne Neal Petri, Wisconsin Liz Rollins Mauran, Rhode Island Hannah Scipio Nelly Cornelia Nell Sarah Kate Lucy Hannah Priscilla Dick 48 | Shows of Support Ann Cady Scott, Missouri Michael Cecelia Murria Jenny Sue Polly Daniel Robin Lucinda Daniel Betty Susan Stevens Reeder, Mississippi The Neighborhood Friends hosted the Birthnight Ball, Andrea Notman Sahin, Massachusetts Peter Grig Beck George Gunner Phoenix Rose Joan Austin Daniel Will Cecelia raising funds to support preservation efforts. Catherine Hamilton Mayton, Arkansas Margaret Hartman Nichols, Maine Penny Rosa Richmond Natt Sarah Peg Sall Brass Will Mary Hagar Nancy Alce Helen Herboth Laughery, Wyoming Frank London Betty Simms Dublin Sall Moses Wally Daphne Nace James Catherine Marlette Waddell, Illinois 52| Research at Mount Vernon Lucia Bosqui Henderson, Virginia Adam Timothy Nanny Boatswain Bartley Phoebe Jenny Patt Neptune Kate Davy Mrs. Washington’s business savvy is best seen Mary Lang Bishop, Oregon Rainey Paul Elias Urinah Suckey Fomison Fanny Betty Jenny Henriette Joe during her two periods of widowhood. Judith Wilson Grant, Colorado Elizabeth Medlin Hale, Georgia Lucy Nancy Elvey Burwell Jane Will Moses Sandy Caroline Branham Judy Ann Sherrill Pyne, New York Esther Caesar Moll Hannah Guy Barbara Lucretia Charles Kitt Agnes Dolshy 54 | Featured Photo SENIOR STAFF Douglas Bradburn, President & CEO Uriah Nancy Nancy Isbel Raison Jenny Frederick Jesse Alce Fattimore Judah A wedding invitation for Sarah Johnson, a formerly enslaved Kevin Butterfield, Executive Director, Washington Library Tom Nokes Paschall Phil Henry Paris Suckey Bay Matilda Cloe Nancy Ben Ned worker, surfaces in the MVLA archives. Rebecca Aloisi, Vice President, Marketing Joe Bondi, Senior Vice President, Development Ben George Will Daphne Jack Charles Christopher Sheels Eve Sando George Matt Briney, Vice President, Media & Communications Bella Dick Jasper Peter Suckey Charity Sambo Joe Robin Bob Joe Delia Penny Phil Manno, Chief Financial Officer Special Exhibit Susan Schoelwer, Executive Director, Historic Preservation Guy Fattimore GodfreyDonald W. Darcus Reynolds Hannah Museum Suckey & Education Dick Simon Center Polly Rachel Jim & Collections & Robert H. Smith Senior Curator Joseph Sliger, Vice President, Operations & Maintenance Morris Lucy Adam Cloe HansonThrough Ned September Virgin Lucy 30 Ralph Tom Peter Barbara K. Allison Wickens, Vice President, Education Judy Robin Wally Fendel Dorothy Jack Aaron Neelah Polly Dundee Lydia Tom Morris Leanthe Davy Jones Linny Mima Jenny Sarah Paul Lucy Frank Siss Beck Davy Gray Anthony Harry Joe Edy Jack Joe Jemima Davy Alce Kitty Flora William Will Boatswain Suckey Patty Milly Kate Milly Hannah Moses George Bill Langston Frank Christopher Jack Morgan James Viner Kitty Jack Grace Ariana Neptune Bath Molly Cynthia Milly Grace Arlington Nancy Wilson From the Regent In 1853, the group of patriotic women who rescued Mount Vernon was truly ahead of its time. Nearly 70 years before American women secured the right to vote, the founding members of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association (MVLA) defied all preconceptions about a woman’s role in society as they sought to purchase the home of George Washington for the people of the United States. To succeed, the members of the MVLA naturally turned to other women. In one of her appeals, MVLA founder Ann Pamela Cunningham urged “any lady” receiving a copy of her missive to “please show it to her friends, and strive to awaken an interest among them,” noting that “there can be no truer cause to plead for than that of Washington, nor one more dear to the heart of patriotic women.” This year, as historic sites and museums throughout the country mark the 100th anniversary of the women’s suffrage movement and the ratification of the 19th amendment, we too at Mount Vernon have an opportunity to showcase the pioneering roles that women played, and continue to play, at the home of our Founding Father. The stories of various women who challenged, moved, and inspired George Washington, and later sought to protect not only his home, but his enduring legacy, are powerful stories in and of themselves. In the pages that follow, historian Martha Saxton offers her perspective on George Washington’s mother, Mary Ball Washington, whose oft-misunderstood relationship with her famous son continues to intrigue and confound biographers today. We also examine the women who made their homes at Mount Vernon during George Washington’s lifetime, beginning with Martha Washington. Curator Amanda Isaac takes a closer look at Martha’s masterfully crafted quilts, three surviving examples of which have recently returned to Mount Vernon. Exploring another aspect of 18th-century life at Mount Vernon, Alexi Garrett discusses Martha’s thriving