Mary Higgins Clark - George and Martha Revisited

As a lover of history, Mary Higgins Clark wrote her first book, a biographical novel, about George Washington and his relationship and subsequent marriage to Martha Dandridge Custis. With all events, dates, scenes and characters based on historical research, the book titled Aspire to Heaven, which was the family motto of Washington’s mother, was published in 1969. Fortunately for us, it has been re-published this year under the title of Mount Vernon Love Story.

Dear Reader:

I grew up with up with the idea that George Washington, our first president, was both pedantic and humorless. That notion was fostered by the quotes attributed to him, such as, "Father, I cannot tell a lie; I chopped down the cherry tree."

When, as a radio script writer, I researched the life for a historical series I was writing, I was surprised and delighted to find the engaging man behind the pious legend. The self-righteous quotes attributed to him were all fabrications of Parson Weems, an after-dinner speaker who made a living inventing stories about Washington after Washington’s death. The pity is, the truth would have served him better.

Washington was a giant of a man in every way, starting with his physical height. In an era when men averaged five foot seven inches, he towered over everyone at six foot three. In my research, I learned that our first president was the best dancer in the colony of Virginia. He was also a master horseman, which was why the Indians gave him their highest compliment: "He rides his horse like an Indian."

I had always believed that he married an older woman, a widow, and that his true love was Sally Carey, his best friend’s wife. The fact is that George and Martha loved each other deeply. Yes, she was older, but only three months older than he, twenty-seven to his twenty-six when they were married. For the next forty-two years she shared his life in every way. She crossed the British lines to join him in Boston, and she endured with him the bitter hardship of the winter in Valley Forge. As Lady Bird Johnson was never called Claudia, Martha Washington was never known as Martha. Her family and friends called her Patsy. George always called her "my dearest Patsy" and wore a locket with her picture around his neck.

Mount Vernon Love Story is my first book, a biographical novel about two people I came to respect and love. It was published in 1969 under the title Aspire to Heaven , which was the family motto of Washington’s mother. All the events, dates, scenes and people are based on verified historical research.

I am delighted that this novel is being reissued now.

I do hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Sincerely,

Mary Higgins Clark

From MOUNT VERNON LOVE STORY by Mary Higgins Clark. ©2002 by Mary Higgins Clark.
Published by Simon & Schuster, Inc., N.Y. Reprinted by permission.