Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-14
BIRrnPLAcE OF WASHINGTON.
A Description Of Q Once Prosperous
Section Of Westmoreland County.

Section Of westmoreland County.
wAKryrHIp AND rrs LocAr1oN-rrS Honnrn AID
PRxsxxr ovxKRs-sxKrcH OF TIE wAsnIxo-
TON TAxILY-FAcTs ABOUT TIE PROPOSED
MONUMENT.
10 the Editor q TIE Ivrxno star,
While much hiss been written about Gen
Washington and the whole world h familiar
with the history Of his Life, and while Thousands
annually visit Mount Vernon, his home, yet
his birthplace II seldom mentioned and little Is
known Of the place where was born such an
Industrious man. 1t ID therefore the purpose OF
the writer, who n familiar with that historic
spot, 10 present to the public . short but &C
curate account Of Wakefield, the birthplace Of
Washington.
OF the great men who have been foremost in
the early and late history. Of this country
Westmoreland county, lying on the Potomac
river about IS miles below Washington, claims
the honor Of being the birthplace Of three Of
its grestest-Washington Monroe and R. E.
Lee. Wakefield is situsted in the northern
part OF. this county, IL Q large plantation Of
LOO acres, bordering on the river for halt .
mile, IL bounded on the northeast by the
famous Bridge creek, while the southeastern
portion Of the farm rests on Popes creek. Stu
ated in an agricultural section, the lands
bordering on the rivers and creeks are very
fertile and are to this day annually cultivated
in corn and wheat, the usual crops grown in
this part of the state.
wHKRk WASHINGTON WAS BORN.
The spot where the home Of Washington
stood is about 200 yards from the bank Of
Pope's creek and one-half mile from its mouth,
where it empties into the Potomac river.
Nothing remains Of the original dwelling,
which was plain house Of four rooms on the
lower floor and several in the attic, except the
bricks that formed the foundation Of the house.
Up to the fall Of 1876 lone chimney stood in
is said to have been the chimney to a small
house that was built after the original house
was burnt, and that occurred during the last
part OF the revolutionary war. Standing, a. It
were, alone in its significance FOR more than
century il would at last no longer resist the
destructive elements Of time and now nothing
remains to mark that memorable spot save
cluster Of trees, few hg bushes and q pile Of
broken brick. The present owner OF Wakefield
is Mr.. John E Wilson, formerly Of Maryland,
but for more than forty years has been resid-
situated one-half mile farther back from the
river and overlooks the field containing the
birthspot and gives an extended view OF the
Potomac river, which ct that point il seven
miles wide. Mr.. Wilson married Miss Bette
Washington, whose grandfather was William
Augustine Washington, the half nephew Of Gen.
Washington; 90 il can yet be said that his birth
place 10 in possession Of his collateral de-
scendants.
ONCE PROSPEROUS SECTION.
This section Of Virginia is most fsvorably 10
Gated, the Potomac river bordering the county
on the north and the Rappahannock on the
south, at this point the rivers being only nine
miles apart Before the war this was the most
prosperous and wealthiest part OF the state of
Virginia, a. the beautiful places and megnif-
cent homes bordering these rivers now bear
proof, but since that day, agricultural interest
being the only support OF the country and
coming in direct competition with the rich lands
of the west and the cheap transportation east,
have gradually proved less profitable, so that
the vast estates that once yielded an elegant
support and enabled the owners to live in lux
ury and ease, with the present system of labor
and low markets for grain do little more than
furnish Q comfortable living for their owners.
Yet, with all these drawbacks, . large part Of
the tidewater people Of Virginia live comfort
ably, and in no country will you find more hos
pitality, more refinement and cultivation than
among that section of Virginia bordering on
the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers. Both
streams contain large beds Of oysters and fish,
and wild game can be found in abundance. So
tina. people Of moderate means can live and
live as well in this part Of the state as in any
country.
wAsHJNaroN's vIRruEs
Hence, 1t Is not wonder that Westmoreland
county, blessed in so many ways and with q
climate neither extremely cold nor exceedingly
hot, should have raised amidst her rural fields
far removed from the busy haunts Of men,
three great and distinguished heroes-men the
honor Of whose characters neither misfortune
could injure nor envy ever blast 1t can only
be with patriotic pride that we review the life
Of our Washington-a man First in war, first
in peace and first in the hearts OF his country
men," When we compare him with men Of
other countries who have been prominent in
fame too often, alas, do we ind their greatness
allied with guilt, but his fame is whittier than it
is brilliant. The destroyers of nations have
stood abashed at the majesty of his virtues, for
it reproyed the rashness of their ambition and
darkened the splendor Of victory. Let our
countrymen ever consecrate the memory of
our heroic general, our brave patriot, our wise
statesman and our virtuous sage and teach our
children that the fruits of his labors our in
heritance and that his example, not only in the
present age but in future generations and as
long as history shall be read, il complete and
will teach wisdom and virtue to magistrates
and to all mankind.
THE FIRST EMIaRASTs.
The first Of the Washington family that emil
grated to America we're two brothers, Law
renee and John, who came over in 1859 and
purchased lands for their plantations between
the Potomac and Rappahapnock rivers, and
located at or near Bridge Creek in what is
now Westmoreland county. The name Of the
old home seems to have been changed in 1871
from Bridge Greek to that Of Wakefield, for
after that time but little is said of Bridge
Greek. Lawrence Washington first settled
with his brother John at Bridge Greek, but
afterward removed to what is now Essex
county, and there died early in January, 1877,
leaving three children. In Tappahapnock, the
county seat OF Essex county, In the records of
the old county OF Rappahannock is recorded
the will OF Lawrence Washington, and in the
court house Of Westmoreland is recorded the
will of his brother John.
PIoUs JOHN WASHINGTON.
But ii is from Col John Washington that
Gen. Washington is descended. John Washing
ton was pious man and one Of great strength
Of character. He had large possessions, both
in England and in America, and was an extern
sive planter. He was made magistrate and a
member Of the house of burgesses; was colonel
of the military forces Of Virginia that operated
with those Of Maryland in keeping back the
Seneca Indians, who were at that time ravag-
ing the banks Of the Potomac. In honor of his
public services and private virtues the parish
In which he resided was called after him and
still bears the name OF Washington. This
parish contains the only Episcopal church in
this part Of the county and is the church
where the Washingtons OF Westmoreland wor-
ship today.
John Warrington was married In England,