• Square-facebook
  • X-twitter
Time to read
1 minute
Read so far

DAR sees Martha Washington portrayal

Wed, 02/13/2019 - 12:00 am
  •  
    Deborah Moran entertained the members of the DAR, with a portrayal of Martha Washington in her period dress of that era, along with a cutout of George Washington standing in the background. BA photo by Jean Hayworth

Retired drama teacher from Andrews, Deborah Moran, entertained the members of Lee’s Legion of the Daughters of the American Revolution by portraying Martha Washington in her period dress from that era, along with a full-sized cutout of George Washington standing in the background. They had suffered the death of a young daughter and later the death of their adult son.

She spoke in first person as Martha Washington, who accompanied her husband through his private life at Mount Vernon, his call to be the four-star Commanding General of the Continental Army and his reluctant elevation to be the first president of the newly formed United States of America from the 13 colonies. He was in Philadelphia for that summer as the representatives hammered out the new Constitution to replace the Articles of Confederation. According to Martha, George was instrumental in bringing diverse opinions together in a compromise for the large/small states and the northern/ southern states through their great debates. He encouraged the heated debates but to respect each other and their respective positions.

She agreed he was a special man for a critical time in history, a worthy gentleman, who expected the best of his men and taught the officers how to be true gentlemen in all their dealings. Washington was portrayed as a most honorable man and fulfilled his responsibilities in every position to the best of his ability, but much above the average man of that era. Martha said, “There were extraordinary men, at that point in history, who served the people well and it is›our responsibility to preserve those ideals begun more than 230 years ago.”

Martha was at Valley Forge during that fiercely cold winter. The men called her ‘Lady Washington’ as she went about the camp. After tea, Martha came out dressed as the older Martha and shared events in their life after they retired once more to Mount Vernon. Upon the death of her husband, Martha found out about the term, “manumission,” that the slaves George owned would be freed upon her death. The remaining years of her life, Martha retreated to the third floor at Mount Vernon in fear and worried that a slave would cause her death to gain his/her freedom.