August 25th
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ON THIS DAY IN 1789
MARY BALL WASHINGTON DIES
“I am sorry to inform you My Mothers Breast still continues bad. God only knows how it will end.”
Mary Ball Washington
B.J. Lossing’s Mary and Martha, 1886
From Betty Lewis
Fredericksburg, 24 July 1789
My Dear Brother
We have been extreamly concern’d at hearing of your late illness*, but the arrival of Roberts last letter brought us the agreable information that the Doctors had Pronounc’d you would shortly be Able to ride out.—When I had last the Pleasure of seeing you I observ’d your fondness for Honey; I have got a large Pot of very fine in the Comb, which I shall send by the first oppertunity.
I am sorry to inform you My Mothers** Breast still continues bad. God only knows how it will end; I dread the Consequence; she is sensible of it & is Perfectly resign’d—wishes for nothing more than to keep it easy—She wishes to here from you; she will not believe you are well till she has it from under your hand—The Doctors think if they could get some Hemloc it would be of Service to her Breast; if you Could Precure som there. Mr Urquhart will bring it for her, there is none to be got hear.—Your Relations all Join me in love and good wishes to you and Sister Washington & believe me Your Affect Sister
Betty Lewis
“I am sorry that it devolvs on me to communicate to you the loss of your Mother.”
Mary Ball Washington
Library of Congress
From Burgess Ball
Fredericksburg, Va., 25 August 1789
Dear Sir,
I am sorry that it devolvs on me to communicate to you the loss of your Mother who departed this Life abt 3 oClock today. The Cause of her desolution (I believe) was the Cancer on her Breast, but for abt 15 days she has been deprived of her speech, and for [the?] five last days she has remain’d in a Sleep.
She has lived a good Age &, I hope, is gone to a happier place than we live at present in. —Mrs Lewis being in much trouble, and all her Sons absent, she requested I wd write to you on the Subject, and, as it may be necessary for you also to be acquainted with the last Will of the Old Lady, I herewith inclose you a Copy thereof.—Mrs Lewis wishes you to communicate your wishes & directions to her as early as convenient. With my best respects to Mrs. Washington, I am, wth great Esteem Dr. sir, Yr mo: obt servt
B. Ball
* see, 9 August entry footnote
** Mary Ball Washington: George and Elizabeth’s (Betty’s) mother
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