The County Times
Thursday, January 29, 2009
32
A Journey Through Time The
Chronicle
June 12, 1871
Igns. E. Mattingly Sir-
By: Linda Reno Contributing Writer Remember the old saying, “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned?” Many say this quote comes from Shakespeare, but it actually comes from a 1697 play by William Congreve called “The Mourning Bride” and is “Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned; nor hell a fury like a woman scorned.” Regardless of its source, it is all too true! Ignatius Enders “Tank” Mattingly learned this the hard way. Born at the family home near Chaptico on September 4, 1845, he was the son of George Sylvester Mattingly and his wife, Mary Edwards. In 1871, he was just 21 and apparently the “gay blade.” How he met the young lady
Photo Courtesy of William R. Johnson
Ignatius “Tank” Mattingly, 1845-1897.
who wrote the letter to the right is unknown and whether he ever returned her letters is uncertain, but he did keep this one, now in the possession of the St. Clement’s Island Museum who has kindly granted permission for publication.
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Your idea of a gentleman deviates vastly from mine if you think your conduct corresponds with that to which I am always accustomed to receive from gentlemen of my social standing. You have refused most emphatically to return to me my letters twice to my certain knowledge. Now Sir I demand them a third time. Those letters must be returned immediately or else I will make known to my father your ungentlemanly conduct, and ask him to see that you send them. I would most assuredly have sent you an apology [unreadable]… do not in your conceit, flatter yourself Sir by imagining I wish to detain your “Master pieces of art” as I presume you so value them as they are quite insignificant and greatly inferior to a letter of my youngest brother so you can rest fully satisfied that your so called epistles are already packed and retained only till mine are sent back to me. In the package with my letters you will please send the little cross I lent you while in St. Mary’s - it was given me on the death bed of [unreadable] my dear dead aunt and I appreciate it more than anything on earth for I loved her devotedly. Mister Mattingly this package must be forwarded at once - I’m going to St. Louis in about four weeks therefore I wish to send your letters before I go. I shall expect my letters the last of next week by all means as I presume you will have finished showing them around like a green country fool that you are. I understand Sir that you are in the habit of entertaining your host of friends- I was under the impression Sir; at the time I wrote you that you were a gentleman - now but too late do I discover my sad error. I know you Tank Mattingly and all about you therefore I will pardon your conduct and consider the source. The next time I undertake a flirtation by way of correspondence, I shall first find out all about that individual and should he be of such a character as you – I certainly shall drop him as I’m accustomed only and only to the society of gentleman – I have unmasked you and found you out to my sorrow – “unmasked not Man’s heart to view the hell that’s there.” Return my letters immediately - should the postage on the package be too much for your generosity – I’ll see that it is paid – so don’t be grieved at the loss of a few cents. Ida M. Griffin T. B. Post Office Prince George’s Co. Md.
Ida was the daughter of Walter H. Griffin and his wife, Eleanor Bryan. She was just 16 when this letter was written. In 1882 Ida married Sydney Mudd of Charles County. She married well, as her husband served in the Maryland House of Delegates and then the U.S. Congress. Their son, Sydney, Jr. was also a U.S. Congressman. According to her husband’s 1895 obituary, “Mrs. Mudd was a beautiful woman and of a most lovable disposition.” It was also said that “In her maiden days Mrs. Mudd was not only greatly admired for her beauty among the belles of Prince George’s, but she was chosen
first maid of honor to represent Maryland at the grand tournament at Philadelphia in honor of the centennial of national independence.” Ida died at her home in La Plata on June 3, 1907. Ironically, Tank Mattingly was also married in 1882 to Susan Blair, daughter of William Blair and Mary Elizabeth Ellis. He died January 28, 1897 at his home in Bushwood. At the time of his death it was noted that he was President of the School Board. Susan survived him, dying January 30, 1927 at “Blair’s Purchase.” Tank and Susan are both buried at Sacred Heart Church. Ah….young love!
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