Some old historic landmarks of Virginia and Maryland, described in a hand-book for the tourist over the Washington, Alexandria and Mount Vernon electric railway . Pounds of sugar Martha used perfumed powder, breast knots, silken hose, and satin shoes like any modern lady who makes the slightest pretentions to fine SERVANTS. Just before the war it was not uncommon to read in the newspapers the annnounce-raent of the death of another of Washingtons Servants. Then almost every octo-genarian darkey in Old Fawfax claimed to have belonged to Mars Joge, andcould te
Some old historic landmarks of Virginia and Maryland, described in a hand-book for the tourist over the Washington, Alexandria and Mount Vernon electric railway . Pounds of sugar Martha used perfumed powder, breast knots, silken hose, and satin shoes like any modern lady who makes the slightest pretentions to fine SERVANTS. Just before the war it was not uncommon to read in the newspapers the annnounce-raent of the death of another of Washingtons Servants. Then almost every octo-genarian darkey in Old Fawfax claimed to have belonged to Mars Joge, andcould tell wonderful stories of old times at Mount Vernon. But of late no mention hasbeen made of these worthies. All of them have passed over the borders and joinedthe ranks of the plantation armies beyond. To the latest generation the descendants of the slave families of the Mount Vernonestate have great pride in telling that they are some of dat breed. In this connec-tion we cannot refrain from giving to the reader the ballad of Thornton Gray, oneof de old sarvents whom the writer once interviewed, and who was reputed to havebeen an offshoot of African ,ff3^ W/P^^:/ U^4i> ^^. THORNTON GRAY, ONE OF WASHINGTONS SARVFNTS. OF VIRGINIA AND MARYLAND. 71 He was an ancient colored man, His age one hundred ten ;He hailed from old Virginny, And once a slave had been. His hair was thin and silverd, His brow with furrows set,Features fine cut and moulded, And face as black as jet. In olden times, the story ran. That kings and noblemen,In Africs sultry climate, His forefathers bad been ; And as I gazed upon him. And closely scannd his mien. It seemed a trace of royaltyFull well might yet be seen. He bowd him low and tipd his hat. And laid aside his while I briefly interviewed About the long ago. My name is Thornton Gray, be saidDey calls me Uncle Thorn, Lived mosly in Old Fairfax,In Wesmoland was born. Was ris by Mars Wilkersn ; Great farmer, may depend ;Ownd all de big plan
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjecthistori, bookyear1904
