Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-05-05
Tn. B,r,n p,.e. or Warrington.

OF Governor Wise's visit to the county oil
Westmorelaud, Va, for the purpose OF exam
lining the grounds of the Wakefield estate
preparatory to carrying out the objects for
which an appropriation Of 81. GOO was made
BY the Legislature of the State.
WEsTMuRELAND County, Va, April q,
lS5S.--lt is we'll known to your readers that
in February, 1856. Col. Lewis w. Washing
ton presented to the State OF Virginia, On Ger
tain conditions. the ground comprising the
birth place of GEORGE WASHINGTON and the
graves Of the Washington family, on the
Wakefield estate 10 this county. This estate
was sold 10 1913, by Col. George G. Wash
ington, (who derived it from his father, Will
liam Augustine Washington,) TO John Gray,
of travellers Rest" Stafford county. reser
wing sixty feet square Of the ground around
the birth place and twenty ieet square around
the vault. Col. Lewis W. Washington, son
and heir-at-law Of Col. George G. Wash
ington, therefore presented these reserVa-
tons ito the mother Of State Virginia, IN
perpetuity, on condition solely that the State
require the said places to be permanently en-
closed with an iron feuce, based on stone
foundations, together with suitable and mod
est Though substantial tablets, to commem-
crate to the rising generation these notable
spots"
Your readers are also aware that Gov.
Wise accepted the donation, aud addressed
message TO the Legislature, asking an ap-
preparation to conII ly with the cOnditlons.--
The request, after some delay, was granted,
and the sum Of $1,000 appropriated for the
purposes mentioned.
Today. therefore, Gov. Wise arrived IN
this county, and was received at Leedsto~n,
by George w. Lewis, esq, who conveyed
him to bis residence, Claymont, some four
miles distant. The Governors mission is to
survey the grounds upon the Wakefield es-
tate, preparatory to carrying out the the OBJ
jects for which the appropriation was made.
At the request of Mr.. Wilson the present
proprietor OF Wakefield, the visit to the es-
tate was deferred until to morrow; a request
which considering the lateness of the hour
and the severity of the weather, the Govern
or was most happy to comply with. 10 the
interesting family of Mr.. Lewis the evening
passed very happily, and many pleasant
"reminiscences of the Washington family were
recounted by the intelligent host.
April 2S-The temperature Of the atmos-
phere this morning was to some extent mode
rated, and after an excellent breakfast, it was
announced that carriages were in waiting to
convey the Governor and other guests to
Wakefield, about six miles distant The
drive through the country was pleasant and
exhi!erating, the beautiful farms on either
side of the road were objects of much inter
est to those accustomed to the brick walls
and confined limits of q city, and the luxurI-
aut vegetation every where sprIngIng into
life, made the observer partake in the uni
versal rejoicing of Nature, in this vernal
season of the year.
The term, "Athens of Virginia" by which
Westmoreland county has been sometimes
distinguished, is not inappropriately applied;
for within her borders were born some OF the
most renowned men whose names appear on
the scroll of fame. Washington, Richard
Henry Lee snd his three brothers, Thomas,
Francis and Arthur, General Henry Lee,
James Monroe, and the late Judge Bushrod
Washington, were natives of Westmoreland.
After charming ride the party arrived at
Wakefield and met with cordial reception
from John E. Wilson, esq, the present pro-
prietor of the estate. Before proceeding far
Their, it is necessary to refer to the gene
alogy of the Washington family, in order
that the reader may fully comprehend the
situation of this sacred spot.
Col. John Washington, who came with his
brother to America 10 1857, settled 90 the
bank of Bridges creek, small inlet OF the PO-
tomac, where be thenceforth lived and where
he died. lie bad two sons and daughter,
aud it was TO the second OF these sons, Law
renee Washington, that the proprietor OF the
Northern Neck of Virginia granted tract
Of land at the mouth of Pope's creek. In
bis will, which is dated March lltn, 1898,
Lawrence Washington says--"i give the
tract of land on which / now live" TO John
Washington. Besides this bequest, others
we're made TO his second son Augustine, and
to bis daughter Mildred. John Washington,
it seems subsequently removed to Gloucester,
and sold the POpes creek estate to Augustine,
the father of George. Thus we have traced
the history of the locality down to the date
of an event which had a deeply important
bearing upon the future destinies OF the 10
FAINT colony and the republic.
When George Washington was six years
Of age, the family removed to their Stafford.
shire estate opposite Fredericksburg, and
about this time Though there is some un'
certainty as to the exact period the house
in which be was born was destroyed by fire.
There is at present on the spot chimney,
which is said to have belonged to the kitchen,
though it was probably attached to house
subsequently built out Of the old materials.
Near by, and plainly visible, is what seems
to be q filled up cellar, with the chimney
spots distinctly marked, about sixty feet
apart. This is doubtless the exact place
whereon stood the house in which George
Washington WAS born.
We may now return to the party whom
we left at MIR. Wilson's residence. After
40 hour passed in agreeable conversation,
Gov. Wise, accompanied by a number OF
gentlemen, started on horseback for the
birthplace" which is located 10 ploushed
field, about three fourths of mile north.
east of the present mansion. 1t is on
somewhat elevated plateau, about fifty yards
from the PERCEPTIONS and cresentshaped bank
of Pope's creek, which sweeps gracefully
around and soon empties into the broad
Potomac. The spot commands a msgpif-
cent aud extended view of the Maryland
shore and of the Potomac for many miles
towards the Chesapeake Bay.
Close by the chimney Of which we have
before spoken, is a luxuriant growth of
figs, the parent stock of which lies decay
ing on the ground, while myrlads Of shoots
have sprung up around it. Partially con-
cealed by these We fduod a granite slab,
broken in three pieces, described Here on
the In of February, 1882, George Wash
LII