Mary Washington Grave and Monument, Fredericksburg, VA
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garmin_geek
N 38° 18.359 W 077° 28.121
18S E 284144 N 4242648
George Washington's mother. Mary Washington Grave and Monument
Waymark Code: WM5QQF
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 02/03/2009
Views: 19
A 50 foot granite obelisk marks the Mary Washington Grave and Monument. It is located near Meditation Rock a place that the great woman used to read and be alone with her thoughts. President Grover Cleveland dedicated the Mary Washington Grave and Monument in 1894.
Fredericksburg's Mary Ball Washington was an intrepid 18th century woman who raised five children alone. The oldest became the first President of the United States.
Mary Ball was born in 1708 or 1709 in Lancaster County, Virginia, the only child of Joseph Ball and his second wife, Mary Johnson. Sentimental biographers dubbed her "The Belle of Epping Forest," after her father's estate.
Mary would marry Augustine Washington, of Pope's Creek, Westmoreland County, on March 6, 1731. A widower with three children, he was a leader in area iron mining enterprises.
George was the first of their five children, born February 22, 1732. They settled at what is now Ferry Farm in 1738. Mary was widowed at age 35 when Augustine died in April of 1743.
The year 1889 was the time of the "Terrible Advertisement." Mary Washington's grave and the 12 acres around it were to be sold at public auction. Local and national outrage led to the formation of the Fredericksburg and National Mary Washington Monument Associations.
Plans were soon underway to build "the first monument ever erected by women to a woman." Fund raisers ranged from simple Fredericksburg events to lavish national events, including balls and entertainments in New Orleans, Baltimore, Charleston, S.C., Denver, and White Sulphur Springs.
On May 10, 1894, President Grover Cleveland was on hand for the dedication of the new Mary Washington Monument. More than 50 feet high, it is an obelisk of Vermont granite with the simple words, Mary, Mother of Washington. (historypoint.org)
Date Created/Placed: 1894
Address:
1598 Washington Ave
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Height: 50 + feet
Illuminated: yes
Website: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:
Give a narrative of your experience. What did you think of the obelisk? Did you learn anything? Photos are always welcome too. Please no virtual visits.