A Romantic Rosewell Legend

A family legend says that the courtship of John and Margaret Lowther Page began with an exchange of poems.

In 1790, John Page was a 47-year-old widower serving in the First Congress of the United States. Congress was meeting in New York, and it was there that he met Margaret Lowther, who was about 30 at the time. According to the legend, John escorted Margaret to a party and later realized that she had left a glove in his carriage. He sent the glove back to her with a note reading

"Taking 'G' from 'Glove' leaves 'Love'

Tis that I offer thee."

Margaret replied with another note:

"Taking 'P' from 'Page' leaves 'Age,'

And you are too old for me."

Perhaps Margaret was only teasing, or perhaps she soon had a change of heart, for the couple was married a few months later. They continued to write and exchange poems during their marriage.