#thisdayinhistory On October 28, 1740, history marked a somber moment as Mildred Washington, the youngest child of Augustine and Mary Washington, passed away due to an unknown illness. Mildred's short life was a poignant chapter in the Washington family history, as she was the only child that Mary Washington lost during infancy. For the Washington family, it was a moment that underscored the fragility of life in the 18th century. Infant mortality was extremely high, with estimates suggesting about a quarter of all infants died before their first birthday, and nearly half died before reaching the age of 10. Image: Charles Willson Peale, Rachel Weeping or Mrs. Peale Lamenting the Death of Her Child, 1772; enlarged 1776; retouched 1818, Philadelphia Museum of Art. #onthisday #marywashington #fxbghistory (fb)

Ever wonder what it’s like to have a ghostly encounter? Author Michelle L. Hamilton writes about a number of spirits at the Mary Washington House in Chapter 1 of her book, "Haunted Fredericksburg." Here is but one of those stories . . . "At 1200 Charles Street stands a large white wood-sided house. This is the Mary Washington House, the home where the mother of George Washington lived for the final seventeen years of her life. While Mary Washington is the dominant spirit in her home . . . she is not the only ghost believed to roam the halls . . . The spirits of the boys who attended Reverend Wilson's school are blamed for the mischievous pranks pulled on the staff and volunteers. One day before the museum store was moved to its present location, the volunteer gift shop buyer was using the Betsy Houston Room to sort her merchandise invoices. The Betsy Houston Room is not on public display and is used by the staff as a meeting room; the room was added onto the house in the 1840s. She had her invoices spread out neatly on the conference table when she was called away to assist a customer. When she returned to the room, the invoices had been scattered across the room like a mini tornado had swept through the space. She collected her invoice and had put them back in order when she was called away again. Upon her return to the room, the invoices had again been scattered. Exasperated, she scolded the boys to leave her invoices alone. Taking the message, her invoices were left alone. I encourage everyone to come and visit the Mary Washington House to learn about the life of a remarkable woman . . . And if you are fortunate, you may even have an encounter with the spirits that call the Mary Washington House their home." You can find signed copies of Michelle's captivating book at the Mary Washington House Museum Store during regular museum hours. #HauntedFredericksburg #MaryWashingtonHouse #GhostTales #SpookySeason (fb)