John R. Norris: A Romance of the White House
Title
John R. Norris: A Romance of the White House
Creator
Norris, John Richard
Identifier
WWP16982
Date
1924 February 3
Description
John Norris writes an account of Woodrow Wilson’s remarriage to Edith Bolling Wilson after Ellen Axson Wilson’s death including several odd, seemingly unrelated details.
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
In August 1914, after an illness of several months, Mrs. Helen Axsen Wilson, passed away leaving a grief stricken household who had done all human kindness could do for their loved one. The President was in constant attendance at the hbedside leaving only when impelled by state business.
Among the sorrowing ones was the President’s cousin, Miss Helen Woodrow Bones, who came to the White House as a member of the family. She administered to the dear sick one until the very last moment, and with breaking heart saw the loved one take wing into that land from which no traveler returns. This long vigil had resulted almost in nervous prostration. The family physician, Dr. Grayson, saw it was not medicine his patient needed, but bright cheerful companionship to bring her out of this state of melancholia. He looked among his friends for such a one, and asked Mrs. Galt to help him. She kindly consented and went into the family AS AN ANGEL OF MERCY. Miss Bones became very much attached to her, so did the President’sdaughters. They invited her to accompany them to their summer home in the north. The President had never met her unless casually at the White House receptions where the guests usually pass along rather swiftly in line.
Some months had passed, the household had been broken, two daughters had married and had their homes to care for. Miss Margaret was deeply interested in her work which constantly carried her away from home. The President was weighed down with the greatest problems, greater than which any predecessor had to contend, was a lonely man, a man without a home. When his arduous day’s work was over he couldn’t mix with the people like other men, had no one in whom to confide. Was it strange that in course of time he met this beautiful character of whokm he had heard those who were nearest and dearest to him only praise, that he too came to admire and appreciate her good qualities. No, it was perfectly natural and right that he should.
I knew a man who went our President one better. He married three times. He would go to the foot of the stairs and absentl mindedly call his wife by his first wife’s name, “Marcia” and would get no answer, and then by the second’s name “Brittie” and yet no reply. By this time the lady upstairs was very indignant. When he called her by her own name, “Sue” the most profound silence prevailed upstairs.
Mrs. Galt, nee Edith Bolling, was born in Virginia, a direct descendant of Chief Powahtan. Princess Pocohontas, his daughter, being her grandmother, several times removed.
Thomas Rolfe, the only son of the Princess, after his mother’s death in England came to Virginia and married Jane Paythress. Their daughter Jane married Col. Robert Bollinhg, a forebear of Edith Bolling.
John Bolling, a son, married a sister of Thomas Jefferson. John Randolph of Roanoke, was a direct descendant as were the following Virginians: Robertsons, Tazwells, Harrisons, Archers, Careys, Dandridges, Gordons, Markhams, Wests, Eldridges, Flemings, Gays, and Elliotts.
President Wilson was born in Staunton, Virginia, at the old Presbyterian manse. His father and grandfather being ministers of that denomination. His forebears were of old English stock. It was very interesting to read of his visit to Carlisle while “over there,” to his grandfather Woodrow’s home and church.
President Wilson and Mrs. Galt were quietly married at the bride’s home in Washington city, December 18, 1915, by her old paster of the Episcopal church, the church of her family from time immemorial.
One of the interesting pictures in the rotunda of our Capital in Washington is the baptism of Princess Pocahontas under the Christian name of Rebecca into the Church of England as the church in Virginia was called in colonial days.
Princess Pocohantas, before her marriage to John Rolfe, was engaged to HJohn Smith, whose life she had saved. He sailed for England and was to return to claim her hand in marriage. The ship was supposed to have been lost at sea and all on board perished. After many months of sadness and grieving, believing her sweetheart was dead, she was won by John Rolfe’s sympathy and love and became his bride. Three years after their marriage they visited England where they were royally received by King James the 1st and Queen Ann, receiving Mrs. Rolfe as the daughter of a King. One evening while attending a theatre in London she recognized John Smith in the audience. The shock was so great, from which it is said she never fully recovered.
The vessel on which John Smith had sailed had been wrecked on an island. He couldn’t get away for a long time, and as there were no cables or wireless in those days, he was thought dead until at last he was rescued and arrived in England. Very soon after this the Princess passed away.
John R. Norris,
Culpepper, Va.
Among the sorrowing ones was the President’s cousin, Miss Helen Woodrow Bones, who came to the White House as a member of the family. She administered to the dear sick one until the very last moment, and with breaking heart saw the loved one take wing into that land from which no traveler returns. This long vigil had resulted almost in nervous prostration. The family physician, Dr. Grayson, saw it was not medicine his patient needed, but bright cheerful companionship to bring her out of this state of melancholia. He looked among his friends for such a one, and asked Mrs. Galt to help him. She kindly consented and went into the family AS AN ANGEL OF MERCY. Miss Bones became very much attached to her, so did the President’sdaughters. They invited her to accompany them to their summer home in the north. The President had never met her unless casually at the White House receptions where the guests usually pass along rather swiftly in line.
Some months had passed, the household had been broken, two daughters had married and had their homes to care for. Miss Margaret was deeply interested in her work which constantly carried her away from home. The President was weighed down with the greatest problems, greater than which any predecessor had to contend, was a lonely man, a man without a home. When his arduous day’s work was over he couldn’t mix with the people like other men, had no one in whom to confide. Was it strange that in course of time he met this beautiful character of whokm he had heard those who were nearest and dearest to him only praise, that he too came to admire and appreciate her good qualities. No, it was perfectly natural and right that he should.
I knew a man who went our President one better. He married three times. He would go to the foot of the stairs and absentl mindedly call his wife by his first wife’s name, “Marcia” and would get no answer, and then by the second’s name “Brittie” and yet no reply. By this time the lady upstairs was very indignant. When he called her by her own name, “Sue” the most profound silence prevailed upstairs.
Mrs. Galt, nee Edith Bolling, was born in Virginia, a direct descendant of Chief Powahtan. Princess Pocohontas, his daughter, being her grandmother, several times removed.
Thomas Rolfe, the only son of the Princess, after his mother’s death in England came to Virginia and married Jane Paythress. Their daughter Jane married Col. Robert Bollinhg, a forebear of Edith Bolling.
John Bolling, a son, married a sister of Thomas Jefferson. John Randolph of Roanoke, was a direct descendant as were the following Virginians: Robertsons, Tazwells, Harrisons, Archers, Careys, Dandridges, Gordons, Markhams, Wests, Eldridges, Flemings, Gays, and Elliotts.
President Wilson was born in Staunton, Virginia, at the old Presbyterian manse. His father and grandfather being ministers of that denomination. His forebears were of old English stock. It was very interesting to read of his visit to Carlisle while “over there,” to his grandfather Woodrow’s home and church.
President Wilson and Mrs. Galt were quietly married at the bride’s home in Washington city, December 18, 1915, by her old paster of the Episcopal church, the church of her family from time immemorial.
One of the interesting pictures in the rotunda of our Capital in Washington is the baptism of Princess Pocahontas under the Christian name of Rebecca into the Church of England as the church in Virginia was called in colonial days.
Princess Pocohantas, before her marriage to John Rolfe, was engaged to HJohn Smith, whose life she had saved. He sailed for England and was to return to claim her hand in marriage. The ship was supposed to have been lost at sea and all on board perished. After many months of sadness and grieving, believing her sweetheart was dead, she was won by John Rolfe’s sympathy and love and became his bride. Three years after their marriage they visited England where they were royally received by King James the 1st and Queen Ann, receiving Mrs. Rolfe as the daughter of a King. One evening while attending a theatre in London she recognized John Smith in the audience. The shock was so great, from which it is said she never fully recovered.
The vessel on which John Smith had sailed had been wrecked on an island. He couldn’t get away for a long time, and as there were no cables or wireless in those days, he was thought dead until at last he was rescued and arrived in England. Very soon after this the Princess passed away.
John R. Norris,
Culpepper, Va.
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Citation
Norris, John Richard, “John R. Norris: A Romance of the White House,” 1924 February 3, WWP16982, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.