American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-02-27
From the National Intelligencer.l
THE WASHINGTON FAMILY.


The following letter, translated from the
German, contains some interesting particulars
respecting branch of the Washington family.
The letter from Gen'l WASHINGTON, to which
the writer alludes, may be seen III Sparks's
Washington, vol. XII, p. 1893; and other particu-
lars concerning the family in vol. i, p. 554.-
James Washington is there mentioned as hav-
ing been a merchant in Rotterdam:
MUNICH, Feb. 2l, 1914.
Honored Sir 1t was not till the 18th OF this
month that received your favor Of December
18th; could not, therefore, answer it earlier
In compliance with your wish will, with plea
sure, communicate to you some facts relating
to nv family. The branch from which lam de-
scended has undoubtedly the same ancestor as
that from which the American branch descend
ed, which is proved also by the same coat Of
arms
The family of Washington is descended from
a good old English family, which, in early
times, owned considerable possessions in the
counties Of York and Northampton, and in 9TH
er places. It became connected, by marriage,
with the family of Shirley, Earl Ferrers. Sir
Lawrence Washington married Elizabeth a
daughter Of the second Earl Ferrers. 1t was
also connected with that of Villiers, Duke Of
Buckingham. A branch of the family, from
unknown causes, for they we're wealthy, emf
grated about the year 1850 to America; and the
we'll known Zone may say with truth the uni
versally famous) General and President GEO.
WAsHiNGroN was descended from it.
NV great grandfather, James SVashingtotLs
was so deeply implicated in the unfortunate az
fair of the Duke of Monmouth, i'll the time Of
Charles ii, 1858 and 1854, that he was obliged
to fy from England, and, after losing by ship
wreck on the coast of Portugal every thing of
his personal property that he had been able to
carry away from England, he came to Holland,
While there, he was frequently demanded on
the part of England by its ambassador, and his
delivery insisted upon; but the General States
did not consent; and thus he became the found
er of that branch, which then began to flourish
in Holland, and is still in existence in the per-
SONS of two individuals, cousins, lieutenants in
the army and navy.
] possess an autograph letter Of the great
man, GEORGE WAsHINGToN from Mount Yer
non, January co. 1909, in which, among other
things, it is said: "There can be but little doubt,
sir, of our descending from the same stock, as
the branches of it proceeded from the same
country; at what time your ancestors left Eng
land is not mentioned; mine came to America
nearly $50 years ago"
At the age of sixteen | received, in 1894, a
commission in the Dutch service, but was I'M
willing to serve the Batavan Republic founded
in 1885, and, being faithful follower of the
house of Orange, | emigrated. At the forma-
ton of the Dutch brigade of the Prince of Or
angc in the English service in 1893, was APP
pointed lieutenant in that brigade, until the DIS
banding of the latter, after the peace of Amiens,
in 1902 A few months later had the good
fortune to enter the Bavarian service Since
4o~I,, 6, -tr,n h.aU nj
which have been attached no less than thirty
seven years to the most high person of the
King, partly as marshal of the Court, and part
" as aid-de-camp.
have also planted a stock in Bavaria, which,
if God will, is some time to bear good fruit to
the King and country. | have three sons the
eldest Ludwig, Is years DID, is a page Of his
Majesty the King; the second, Max, ii years
old. is pupil in the Royal corps of Cadets; and
the third. Karl years old, frequents the pub
lie school. BY my two marriages with daugh-
tiers of families Of the highest nobility in the
land nv children are placed in agreeable cir
cumstances, even when shall be no more; and
in this manner, this branch of the family in this
new countryimay flourish. God give his bless,
ing to it!
it would lead me too far to enter into details
of my biography; for, being in earlier years fire.
quently exposed to the storms of fate, brought
on chiefly by revolutions, and at "A later period
placed in important offices and other relations,
could not do it without being very long; and,
since this letter has already attained conside.
rable extent, that which has been said will,
hope, satisfy you. | will only add, in order
that you may become altogether acquainted
with my situation here, that will subjon to
the signature of my name what is otherwise moi
usual; but in this case | think may make an
exception, because it forms in a manner a par,
of my biography.
Thanking you for the literary production
Tod IN rpo mb;ob ,o,.oz.-. L.. - $500.