Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1880-02-26
The Washingtons.
platteville. Feb. ga. 1850

The Washlngtons.
platteville, Feb. 2sd, 1850.
By the laws of association we
have come to consider the name of
Washington as synonymous with
our nations father, but let US look
into the distant past and ascertain
how our first President happened to
be called Washington. We are able
to trace this name balk in the an.
nails of history to about the 11ih
century. Some time during that
century the Washington family
seems to begin. AT this time man
by name. Hertburn, became Hu.
dial proprietor in the county of Dur
ham, En- gland, but 10 little while
he exchanged his property for an
estate of WessyDgton. By this ac-
QUESTION the family name was
changed, and soon passed into that
of Washington. From this family
all the Washingtons in the United
States, the continent of Europe and
England are descended. Sr John
Washington, great grandfather of
George, resided at South Cave,
Yorkshire, before coming to Amer.
lea, and many incorrectly had the
opinion, that the family sprang
from that region. JOHN Washing
ton was always loyal and was
Knighted by James I in 1923, con,
sequently his emigration was not
the result of any ill feelings toward
the King. We have no knowledge
that Sir John ever used his title in
this country. He was the first
American ancestor by the name of
Washington arriving and settling
in Virginia during the year 1867.
Augustine, his grandson, was the
father OF a large family. ten chill.
dren altogether. The fifth child,
born Feb. 22d, 1882, was named
George, the anniversary of whose
birthday we celebrate. Georges
father losing his family mansion by
fire moved onto a farm inherited
from his paternal ancestor, where
he died in 1743. His mother was a
woman of much intelligenceuand
energy, ruling ner household with q
strong hand and firm will, which
were characteristics Of George
throughout his entire life. The
we'll known anecdotes of Georges
boy in connection with his
fathers teachings cannot be accept
ed with any degree of confidence
as they rest upon the statements of
one biographer.
Mears of education were very
limited at that time except in the
larger towns. All the early educa-
cation George received was from his
mother and the local schools of the
neighborhood, and hence was de.
fective. He developed fondness for
mathematics and it seems somewhat
strange as his father was man of
great wealth, that George was not
sent to some seminary or college.
George very carly displayed mar
tlal spi.it, and juvenile battles were
often fought by his schoolmates un-
der his leadership. Lawrence Wash
ington, Georges Grandfather, held a
commission as Captain under AID,
miral Vernon, in the successful ex.
petition against Carthegena in
1740. At the close of this war
Captain Lawrence Washington
gave to the newly occupied resi-.
denee of Hunting Greek the name
of Mount Vernon, in honor of him
under whom he had served. George
once determined to become sailor
and had his clothes packed for that
purpose, but the frmness of his
kind mother was too great for him
to overcome, 80 his project was
abandoned. When the time ar
rived for him to go he passed into
the sitting room of his mother, to
bid her goodbye. She was sitting
in tears. He approached her and
putting his arms about her neck
affectionately kissed her. He was
about to bid her farewell he hesi-
tated. Her affection and affiiction
unnamed him. Though the spirit
of patriotism which so nobly char
acterized him in after life, was STIR.
ring in him, yet the feelings Of his
heart were stronger than other ties
and he nobly sacrificed his ambition,
rslinquished his purpose and stayed
to comfort his loving mother. This
Is probably the greatest step ever
taken which resulted in raising
him to the positions which he af-
forwards held and he may be in
cluded in the lis. of the MANY great
men, whose characters have been
moulded by mothers influence. He
spent three years in rough frontier
life, during which time his mental and
physical faculties were, by exercise
and hardships, developed and the
habit of self reliance thoroughly
formed. In the course ofthis sur
veying tour ne frequently met with
friendly Indians from whom he
gained much information concerning
their habits and manner of living,
which he used to good advantage
in his after work against the in
dams.
Robert Dinwiddie, Lieut. Gov. of
Virginia, reorganized the militia in
1853 and George Washington was
commissioned by Dinwiddie as Adj.
General of one district. A few years
later, at The beginning of the French
aud Indian wars, his commission was
changed, by his own request, to
Lieutenant Colonel. His long expe-
dition as a messenger, the hardships