Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-02-24

The Defendants OF the Father sf ITss
Country.


CHARACTERISTICS OF TEE LrSE-sTRIKrSe RE-
sEsMBLANCEs TO wAsHISGroN-AF FAMILY DE,
VOTED TO AGRICULTURAL AND PRIVATE
PURSUITS
While preparations were being made for the
ceremonies of dedicating the Washington mon
ument Or. Joseph NJ. Toner, as a member OF
the commission In charge OF the ceremonies,
placed himself in communication with MEM
bers of the Washington family now living, with
the view OF extending 20 them invitations 10
attend the ceremonies. A STAR reporter sug-
gested TO Dr. Toner that the performances Of
this duty had given him opportunities of learn
Ing much about the Washington family.
Yes, said Or. Toner, 81 met many OF the
men bearing the name OF Washington, as well
as members OF the family by collateral mar
riage bearing other names. The number OF the
Rim Ia whom invitations were sent was about
300. Thirteen gentlemen bearing the name OF
Washington had seats together on the floor OF
the House OF Representatives on the occasion
" me me oedlcalorN services ana besides IN inc
Washington"
lit IL not strange" continued DIR. Toner,
"fnat so large kindred OF Washington should
eNisi when 1t Is remembered that he had two
haii brothers and one half sister, as well as two
iul brothers ana one fall sister all OF whom had
families. Ibis sister Betty married and len a
large family. His two brothers, Charles and
samuel, both married and settled In the valley
ol Virginia on large and most productive farms.
tharleStown, the county seat OF Jefferson
county, West Virginia, was named after Charles
" aShington. His brother Samuel owned an
adjoining plantation of nearly 1000 acres of
land; samuel was married I'VE times, though
ne died at the age OF forty-six. The de
scendantS az samuel are very numerous Those
OF Charles, however, are comparatively few.
Nv hat are the characteristics Of the fan'iys'
asked IHE STAR reporter.
III may be said Ia be a Characteristic OF the
Mashlngtons, answered Dr. Toner, that they
have been ard still are devoted to agriculture.
Al lew nave studied law, ana some medicine,
but The greater number Of them take To mathe-
MATES, surveying aud farming. When they
have engaged in merchandising IL has usually
been in connection with the management III
their estates. Both the fun hrothers OF Wash
ington were deceased before the general. The
general died possessed OF large amounts of ex-
celient land in Virginia, Nest Virginia Ohio
PENNSYLVANIA, aud deN iSed these lands 20 his
nephews, who were, in consequence, put ia
possession OF considerable estates that made
them independent, influential and prosperous
citizens ia the neighborhoods where they lived.
/ They nearly all married young and leu
| families. il may be said, too I'm this connec-
| ton, that as family they are shortliNed A
| lew exceptions To this rule rs, however ooserva-
bic. lind that the Nashingtons have always
been fond OF the gun and the most
noted horSeinen of the sections In which they
! lived. Their personal appearance, rs a class
| has been characterized 10y tall, large boned
| frames and strong, Wei cut features. In their
habits they are social and hospii able TO a degree
| OF extravaganza. They have all been free good
llNeIs, and occasionally some have INDUCED too
freely in spirits, but cases of inebriatcs among
them are exceptions. Their preference for agr-
culture over other pursuits is manifested by the
character of the sections of country I'm which
| the kin OF Washington now reside, They are
most numerous in Virginia, Tennessee and
/ hentucky, out a considerable number of them
| also reside In Ohio, Minnesota, Pennsylvania
California and Georgia, where they have usu
| ally settled on the most productive farm lands.
| As another characteristic IL may be stated that
they are unambiIious for public position, but
wherever they have filled Positions OF
! trust they have discharged their duties with
| fidelity. The ability OF Judge Bushrod WASH
| ington, a member OF the Supreme Court and
his able reports, will suggest themselves 10 the
minds of every one"
"Do you find among :hem any striking re-
semoiance 10 the Father OF His Country"
1T was stated Ia me" said Dr. Toner sby
members Of various branches of the family that
occasionally would be bern in q family Of the
kin one bearing a very striking resemblance TO
Washington, while his brothers, and even his
| father. might retain only the general physical
| characteristics OF the Washingtons. George
| Washington, who now lives I'm Alexandria 10
| remarkably like Gen. Washington in personal
appearance"
Perhaps, suggested the reporter, 'if WASH
ington should return now, and wear Q full
beard, TO one would know him.
There was not, said DIR. Toner. "a general In
the revolution that wore beard. There is not
a portrait that shows that any private engaged
in that war wore a beard"