FREDRICKSBURG, September 7, 1775.
To Mess. Dixon & Hunter.
Gentlemen,
The following is the production of a young Lady of this town (Miss L. D.) on the marriage of Mr. L. W. to Mrs. A. C. a Gentleman and Lady of distinguished abilities, character, and deportment: " I think the most amiable couple within my notice." If you think it deserves a place in your Gazette (as it may probably divert your readers to explain it, and give no offence, for I assure you I intend none) you will please to do so, and oblige a constant reader.
Applied to Mrs. M. C. a daughter of Mr. L. W.
My husband's my uncle, my father's my brother;
I also am sister unto my own mother.
I'm sister and aunt to a brother call'd John,
To whom wit and good nature combin'd doth belong:
" This paradox, strange as it may be to you,
" Any day that you please I can prove to be true."
N.B. The marriage is lawful
Virginia Gazette (Dixon & Hunter) September 23, 1775
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About this entry:
Mrs. MC is Mildred Washington Willis Carter, daugher of Lewis Willis, and married to Landon Carter. Mildred's mother, Mary Champe Willis is dead, and her father is marrying Anne Carter Champe, the widow of Mary Champe's brother John and the sister of Landon Carter. The author of the riddle, Miss L.D. is unknown. With family relationships like this one, It is no wonder that genealogical research is difficult!
Sources: Willis, "Sketch of the Willis Family", p 59, WMQ, 15, #2 (Oct 1906) p124-5
