George Washington and his first love, Mary Philipse

The familiar portrait of the father of our country is of the model of virtue and resolve who could not tell a lie. But the author and WCBS-TV anchor Mary Calvi says her research uncovered details about the first love of George Washington's life, the heiress Mary Philipse, one of the wealthiest women in the colonies, and how their relationship may not have ended once each of them was married to others. Jim Axelrod reports on the story behind Calvi's historical novel, "Dear George, Dear Mary," about the first president's first love, and with famed Washington scholar historian Richard Brookhiser about the first president's reputation.
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[@josephpetrino1741]

She writes a romance novel with Washington as a character and they treat her like a historian.

[@susannemcarlisle]

This is exactly what I complained about on Twitter. This was shameless self-promotion for a CBS employee. It was no better than a speculative cheap dime novel.

[@edwardstreetcornergermen4769]

I agree, I am a history major who Primary Field is Colonial/American Revolution and the lives of the Founding Fathers. George Washington’s first great love was Sally Fairfax

[@andrewsutherland133]

While she is writing historical fiction, she did do much research to write it

[@Jacquelinewinters09]

she saw what happened with hamilton and figured she can make her own angle

[@gratermccheesy9650]

Yeah, this story feels like historical fan fiction.

[@sammyvh11]

It's good to know George never got the woman he wanted in life either. We're all in the same boat crossing the river.

[@thomasriley5830]

sammyvh11 stellar comment, I salute you!

[@LNTunes1010]

Not even the most saintly of saints can abolish a sadistic nature in us all.

[@hannahlamppin7477]

There are a great many unrealized romances. I take it that you did ‘not’ get the woman you wanted? Sad.

[@sammyvh11]

@@hannahlamppin7477 Nope..... long ago

[@MTknitter22]

what a pathetic vomnent

[@cynthiaharrell2144]

George's hidden love was Sally Fairfax. Would like to see a book written on this relationship. Those of us that grew up in Fairfax County, Virginia, were told of Sally being his paramour.

[@donniemoder1466]

This report does not pass the smell test.

[@grat2010]

Based on what she read out loud, I'm gonna pass on this one.

[@shaylalauren]

😂😂😂😂

[@Monster_Mover_Stocks]

I don't think I'll be reading her fictional account anytime soon.

[@karolinaleleniewski4334]

This woman makes me uncomfortable it’s like she’s a news anchor 100% of the Time

[@shannongeorgiapeach76]

If I'm not mistaken, Martha Washington burned alot of George's personal diarys and papers that said anything about Mary or their personal lives, she did this to persevere their legacy. So, idk how this lady would know facts?

[@marklemont3735]

Maybe Mary and those around her kept letters, diaries and written documents?

[@melindadouglas1673]

This is based on fiction not fact, so I choose not to believe it. Nothing more than a romance novel. I think G Washington was a man of integrity and honor who would not cheat on his wife. That is why I love him.

[@mrwaterschoot5617]

because i don'taas trust the.itu

[@Jacquelinewinters09]

can't argue that this is fake news so basically you guys are promoting your employee's side hustle.

[@adorabledeplorable5105]

Is she saying that George and Mary were “ only human “? Say it isn’t so .

[@jrpacer6355]

Your first love is never truly forgotten.... :)

[@Forestdawg1791]

I believe I read that Martha burned a great deal of their letters when he died.

[@MTknitter22]

yes and good for her

[@NeTxGrl]

Burning letters during that time period was not unusual.

[@TheStuport]

Welp....after learning years later that George didn't actually cut down a Cherry Tree, I'm listing this under "possible gossip".

[@kirkpartney1464]

While we're discussing possible paramours...what about Sally Fairfax?

[@johnw4659]

So a local b-level CBS New York newsreader happens to write a romance novel featuring George Washington so compelling and of historic interest that CBS Good Morning absolutely must feature it on their nationally broadcast Sunday program? Hmmmm...

[@trojanette8345]

So nice to see Jane Pauley. Used to watch her all the time when I was growing up. Watched her and her former TV host Tom Brokaw. While were in the other part of the house getting ready for school or work we always heard Jane's voice on in the other room. It was like listening to my other "mum". She had the most pleasant of voices I've ever heard. All these years later I get to see and hear Jane again.

[@gardensofthegods]

Yes I used to love watching Jane Pauley on the NBC morning news especially when my dad first retired and we would watch the news together . She's been here for a while now on CBS Sunday Morning and I have really enjoyed her being here ... Although I really do miss Charles Kuralt also ... and the one who was on for years before him who came on board when CBS Sunday Morning first started all those years ago

[@Dachdogoriginal]

We have no way of knowing. And assuming someone committed immorality isn't a nice thing to do without facts. Not that it didnt happen, as those things were hidden. But you can't assume. The only one that needs to know is his maker and He knows.

[@GodsFavoriteBassPlyr]

This really isn't about history ... This is about .. a very poorly scripted and acted book ad... by an author who might be more adept at romantic fiction.

[@MTknitter22]

Exactly - liberals who do not like our Founding heroes do this all the time and their media friends help them package it as undeniable historical fact.

[@albertamaloney6580]

@@MTknitter22 They were human, too.🤷‍♀️

[@deedeewinfrey3181]

Love is a wonderful thing ❤.

[@deborah8618]

Actually -- there is a small hint to Mary Calvi's hypothesis in Ron Chernow's "Washington". Is just that Mr. Chernow merely gives it a mention and then moves on.

[@tench4175]

It’s fiction not fact!

[@kathyd2595]

Historical fiction is a genre that uses real historical characters and places. The author fictionalizes some characters and actions because there is no record to substantiate.

[@tench4175]

Most wouldn’t know where history ends and fiction begins.

[@scrappysinger]

I smell a Hallmark movie.

[@georgethompson3763]

Or a x-rated movie.

[@moodist1er]

That's because you're illiterate and indoctrinated..

[@scrappysinger]

🤪

[@georgethompson3763]

@@moodist1er Huh?? Did you comment on the wrong video?

[@justjess-zl3pm]

She is a anchor of CBS in New York. I'm sure that station isn't biased toward her husband. Lol

[@petew.e.3946]

I was thinking the same thing..

[@retroguy1976]

I watch cbs2 they never do any stories on him wtf actually goes on in yonkers,ny ?? lol

[@barbaradzitko1826]

Very interesting.

[@vice4134]

CBS, once again, you are NOT providing closed captions for this video, like all other videos. TWO THUMBS DOWN!!!

[@dvrsweet1]

Good for her! Calvi had an idea and pursued it. I’m wondering if the lack of letters describing their sharing a house was because, well, they lived down the hall from each other. Also, if the mansion was used as a headquarters, it was likely frequented by many of his staff and subordinates, leaving little room for hanky-panky (as if the very proper and prestigious Washington would risk his reputation over that.)

[@dafttool]

Reminds me of that old trope of “Washington slept here.” He had to sleep somewhere

[@thirabx6954]

Hate to break it to you slavery is going on. Ever hear of the potato famine?

[@mariocisneros911]

Why so many denials. He was a man , young , handsome Every man has had at least a couple of loves before 30. And if traveling and with money , more .

[@sct4040]

She should have written a nonfiction instead, her reading sounds like a romance novel and makes me squirm, yuk, yuk,yuk. A non fiction would have been extremely interesting.

[@susannemcarlisle]

This was beneath the show. Period. Corporate nepotism in the extreme. Really shameful.

[@LNTunes1010]

Any man with the extraordinary heaviness that George Washington must’ve endured, both cerebrally and altruistic, would’ve boinked any discrete heiress in good faith under ‘God’.

[@Brandon-np9yx]

"Synergy". But you're right.

[@nghtwtchmn129]

A 1993 edition of The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents reports that "Washington was somewhat stiff and awkward with girls, probably often tongue-tied...Before he married Martha, Washington's love life was full of disappointment."

[@cynthianolder3557]

Oh, but according to her, he was a "stud"

[@lamoinette23]

@@cynthianolder3557 she meant stud as in handsome and a catch.. not a ladies man. he was over 6' tall, lean and wore well tailored clothes. But yes, shy or awkward.

[@JodyK68]

Doesn’t make sense one bit since all his energy went into the most pressing urgent military matters. He would never had the time to woo a woman. That would have been the furthest thing from his mind. He was a committed man to his country and military. He might have liked her as he liked many intelligent women and enjoyed their company. There is nothing within her biography that leads me to believe this. Why did she marry that traitor Captain Morris. After his death Mary fled to England. So, I doubt she would have ever let herself become Washington’s first love. She knew who Morris was

[@maryjanebrown4667]

George Washington is my favorite president. He knew Sally Fairfax from his very early social circle and also was a friend of her husband. Based upon a good biography of Washington, my understanding is that his passion for Sally, a dainty, ethereal woman, persisted up to and perhaps beyond his marriage to Martha.

[@user-ku5xo1ph9l]

Oh Mary

[@nghtwtchmn129]

I was expecting another Sally Fairfax story.

[@shawnmichaelduncan5951]

It was mention in the 1984 Mimi series about George Washington

[@annfox4815]

This is my Great Aunt Mary "Charming Polly" Philipse

[@ldodom]

Mary Calvi is absolutely adorable. Two fortunate Statesmen have their enviable Mary.

[@jasonshumate6456]

Can we have a Story where he's just a Person. If you know the Washingtons, of which George did not. His Family descended from Knights. In 1914 Britain purchased Sulgrave Manor his Grandfather Ancestral Home, then in 2014 they purchased Washington Hall, his Ancestors ancient Keep. To celebrate 100 then 200 years of Peace & shared Heritage. Amazing story all the way to his Family, Fought for King Charles when the King was arrested by Cromwell and Beheaded, the Washington family changed for ever, John Washington looked West to America, a decision that changed the World.

[@lynnoneal5986]

So The Father of our Country will be played by Fabio?

[@tippullthemnow9839]

Lynn O'Neal 🤮

[@Ojeramup12]

There was another Chic but Martha burned all the letters. I believe her last name was Fairfax.

[@lamoinette23]

Sally Fairfax

[@jdouce6074]

I L😍VE her jumpsuit Color, fit style everything

[@noreenanthony-tabar2148]

@7:05 I love that painting of a colonial guy in a red coat with a young lady in a yellow dress and a black sash around the waist. Anyone know the name of it?

[@oyaami1874]

The enslavers???

[@noreenanthony-tabar2148]

@@oyaami1874 🙄 I just asked about the name of the painting. I should not be surprised at he/they/them comments.

[@camillas5917]

The Morris-Jumel Mansion at 161st Street in Manhattan is "the room where it [may have] happened." Lin-Manuel Miranda also wrote songs from Hamilton in the Aaron Burr bedroom in that same house. Come visit!

[@jayceewriter7826]

Dribble. She’s grasping

[@pikiwiki]

George knew how to marry up

[@taryn9088]

As we mark the birthday of George’ Washington lets dishonor his memory and make up crap about him.

[@jefffinley8359]

That''s what I'm thinking. You assumes Mary was there at that mansion with him. She has zero proof.

[@kleeamd8274]

Listen to the actual language spoken, the keywords being used. “NO ONE KNOWS FOR SURE where Mary Philips was........” “It is POSSIBLE that he moved into the mansion in Harlem his first love was living in at the time.....” "No one knows for sure" & "it is possible" - sound to me like nothing but speculation with no substance behind it being spun into FACT for a lazy, puff piece Then goes on to read an account of a romantic encounter as if it’s fact.

[@kimdramer1641]

The Morris-Jumel mansion is NOT the highest point in the city. That spot is located in Bennett Park near Fort Washington Avenue and 184 Street.It is the location of the former Fort Washington,. The outline of the ramparts of Fort Washington are inlaid in the pavement. It has a US Geographical Survey marker---265 feet above sea level. November 16, 1776, combined English and Hessian forces defeated Americans defending the fort.

[@Ariel_dorsey]

I...I just...No...I can’t

[@ParisLondonRoma]

What an airhead author

[@santarosahero]

She lived to the ripe old age of 95 which was rare at the time. She was born on July 03, 1730 probably in New York and died on July 18, 1825 probably Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom

[@milk9613]

I didn’t know George was a player.

[@andyroo9381]

I would like to know more about Mary Philipse. What happened to her British husband? What happened to her after the Revolutionary War? When and where did she die? Children? Was she able to keep her fortune?

[@lamoinette23]

Likely they went back to England or to Canada. Many American loyalists fled to Canada and stayed.

[@johnnystir9796]

Sounds like it will make a great movie.

[@john-paulnagel2732]

Who cares Cashing in On Dead People who cannot Respond? Lady go to Tinder Get the Attention you Need!!

[@jomsthejomtheff1644]

History is better than tinder

[@retroguy1976]

tinder sucks lmfaooo

[@john-paulnagel2732]

Joms The Jom Theff lol

[@john-paulnagel2732]

Christopher o neal lol

[@MTknitter22]

These journalists use the shows to puff up their friends. If she were not a fellow traveller, this silliness would never be taken seriously.

[@jukes243]

Anything to sell a book. Thumbs down CBS Sunday Morning.

[@kleeamd8274]

And yet somehow CBS NEWS’s new slogan is.........REAL NEWS. LMAO GTFOH

[@LCMSM]

Adds NEW MEANING to “George Washington Slept Here”! (don’t know if anyone already said this)

[@fallenquentin]

lol at 3:29

[@fawnteach8778]

🔷🔷🔷 I heard it too.👋🤓

[@snavarro228]

I played it three times just to make sure lol

[@gigi9062]

Steven Navarro I played it 3 times and then played it to my husband, he said “ Yup” 😂 yeah, she sounds whatever she’s on is good stuff.

[@1DoorClosesSoAnother1CanOpen]

Bwahahahaha!!!!

[@maddie9185]

I was a bit surprised too😂😂💩

[@stacy4388]

George Washington was a stud!

[@direfranchement]

If rotten teeth is your thing, sure.

[@dabroncobabe7441]

@@direfranchement Pretty sure that Colgate wasn't around back then...

[@tippullthemnow9839]

Stacy C 🤮. A stud for animals. Impotent and limp

[@NeTxGrl]

@@direfranchement It was the 1700's a full set of straight white teeth were not the norm. No toothpaste, floss or mouthwash. No modern dentistry. He didn't lose all his teeth right away. It took a few decades. It's been speculated that what caused him to lose his teeth was the medicine he was given when he had smallpox, it contained mercury and one of the side effects was tooth loss.

[@aliciatorres2794]

It could happen

[@misterjingles4745]

You failed to mension that all of NY eventually fell to the British. The General new this may occur and would not have had her anywhere near NY.

[@tkc5898]

Mister Jingles *mention *knew You’re welcome 🤗🤗🤗

[@iloveyoumadhuri]

Mary Calvi is gorgeous! I checked out her Wikipedia page. She looks too young to have lived for 5 decades (approximately ;)).

[@christopherbrownmaaga4668]

Mary phillips

[@nenajimenez2266]

He owned Slaves. Come on - how virtuous could have he really been? There is a difference between what people want to be true and the truth.

[@JJerseyGirl]

George married Martha a wealth widow.

[@kathleenamatangelo3713]

After Geo Washington had married he didn't see his wife for 8 years. The First Conspiracy The Secret Plot Against George Washington By: Brad Meltzer, Josh Mensch

[@bagobeans]

George couldn't lie but he could cheat?

[@michaelglickman1300]

That story about the cherry tree was made up by one his biographers, Mason Locke Weems.

[@rebelheir252]

Rich white woman who works for cbs gets time on Sunday morning, mmm nothing out of the ordinary

[@vicepresidentmikepence889]

Philipse Manor Hall in Yonkers, New York

[@epiphanyinsight]

Lord Beasley Sleepy Hollow

[@MonaAlicia]

I wanna read this book now. I'm into it.

[@daolieu4261]

Well. That was more the truth wasn’t it? Never the fantasy that we conjured in our mind.

[@shirleynitka5030]

that house in NY looks like the Morris Jumel Mansion. Why is it that I was told, along with countless others, that George proposed to his love in the front parlor of Carter's Grove? Also the same room where Thos. Jefferson was rejected. I wish Carter's Grove was still open to the public. Check with Williamsburg guides & see what they have to say. Never heard of this girl at all. Yeah, it may be a nice story of fiction. Not buying it.

[@karenreynolds7109]

George, perhaps, had some human frailties, huh? Well then, I guess he may join some of the founding fathers: Hamilton, Franklin, and Jefferson to name a few.

[@angrypastabrewing]

Fake news?

[@janetbeebe6578]

The Heart is an Organ of Fire.

[@Creole_Lady]

It's all speculation of course

[@willeel3750]

George Loved Money and its 18th century equivvalent, land. Mary had it.

[@2012photograph]

You know when first this over year has profound impact on my life.San Francisco Giants are my secondary team but NY Yankees are my primary team.The mansion lie above old NY Giants home Polo Grounds which space blew away compare to Brooklyn Dodgers Ebbets field.I have mansion to my Flickr page.

[@juliegogo2941]

Myth? But, who knows what little boys do when there young.

[@gailremp8389]

Why is this woman whispering her answer? NYikes. It's soft. It's delicate. But It's information. Speak up woman you don't have to whisper it's OK. It's not the end of the world. Be brave you can do it ... it's really OK...

[@portrayedtv2440]

Interested in George Washington? Watch our new video! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGqkmaKLf7Orl8U

[@jacksonvanmatre]

I can't stop looking at her overdrawn lip.

[@spiceyboogerspiceybooger6437]

Great now I can't either🤔. Consider your job done.

[@JJerseyGirl]

Mary could have been in England with her husband.

[@christopherbrownmaaga4668]

Philipse

[@melissahorn6091]

To err is human.

[@albertamaloney6580]

George was a gold digger, that's for sure. He chased this Mary Phillips (who was evidently very wealthy) and when he married Martha, she was the wealthiest widow in Virginia. 💸💸

[@stevenisrael3394]

I love japaon

[@omfug7148]

Even if he lived at the mansion with Phillips they would have been surrounded by people including servants and his aide-de-camp, there is very little reason to believe that he and Phillips would have had enough alone time to sleep together, although Washington never had biological children and I assume that he was infertile after having a bout of measles was it?

[@gerrynightingale9045]

*You're putting '2+2=7? maybe'*...(it's possible George was 'firing blanks'...but, it's also possible he wasn't) Modern 'DNA' examinations would be the answer to that question...mainly among the descendants of Washington's slaves! (there are examples of Georges' hair to test with) No matter what his 'personal life' was, it changes very little of verified history. (if I were to die today...and all you had to 'examine my life' with were interviews, school papers, legal encounters, etc. etc. ad infinitum...after years you would never know the 'real me as I am' unless I told you 'why this and why that?')

[@omfug7148]

@Amy Sternheim digging further, apparently Washington had contracted smallpox as a young man and the speculation is that is what caused him to be infertile, and clearly his was the fertility problem since Martha had children already. The fact is that there is not even a shred of proof that he and Phillips lived together in her house at that time, I hate fan fiction with a passion and that is what this is.

[@omfug7148]

@Amy Sternheim I found the smallpox connection from my research, I didn't pull the connection out of my back end, LOL. and because I am a total history geek, I found this abstract from a medical journal ""The study supports the frequent clinical impression that the incidence of obstructive azoospermia is very high in patients who have had smallpox. 4 of 5 such cases have obstructive lesions" I think that the other theory of Washington's inability to impregnate his wife has to do with a type of tuberculosis. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4742002

[@omfug7148]

as for this speculative novel the less said about it the better, it sounds like a "bodice ripper," and yes I am a snob, hahaha

[@gerrynightingale9045]

@Amy Sternheim Ummm...slaves don't get 'paid'.

[@ke11yke11z]

Right before covid19 when the world made a little more sense

[@socal3154]

The people who disliked this video were King George III and his army of British Troops

[@trishwhitenburg9167]

I thought he was in love with Sally Fairfax in his youth? Wow he really liked women with money huh?

[@leahsugarbritches]

My thoughts exactly. Seems Ole George was a bit of a gold digger.

[@maryjanebrown4667]

My understanding is that Sally Fairfax always was the apple of his eye. I believe she was a bit older than George and married when George was only 16. He was smitten even then, according to a biography read.

[@tkegal]

It's just a "what if" book for entertainment. People need to stop taking it so seriously.

[@AdvMedic2010]

She better be careful, there's lots of people out here with connections to President Washington. She can't makeup or change history.

[@kabatake]

Great work of fiction.

[@nrodry76]

And by the way, that documentary “The First American: George Washington” is crap. I understand the historical importance of GW, but the First Americans were already in America way before the Europeans arrived. They’re the Native Americans.

[@AaronCLB]

I bet Addison Rae will look like her when she’s old