Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1905-04-12
THE WAsHINGTONs
Their Early Historic Homes in
Virginia

early homes OF the Washingt0ns !,
from the pen Of Rev. J. Fl. Llgh,
'Iof fredericksburg, formerly pas
tor of Trinity Methodist church
Lexington, Va, and was published
in a recent issue OF the Epwo th
Era of Nashville, Tenn.
The Father of his Country was
childless. That, however, does
not argue that there were no
Washingtons but him, and that
the race died out when he departed
this life. Far from it. George
was one of several brothers. Then
there were collateral branches
uncles and great-uncles, cousins
and aunts-of various degrees.
Besides, George was one of eight
children-sons and daughters--of
his own father.
The narrow tongue of land,
formed by the Rappahannock on
the south Of it and the Potomac
on the north, known as the
"Northern Neck" of Virginia, is
the ancient seat of the Washing.
ton family. They still subsist in
great and increasing numbers,
known by various names, in that
same general section. But, as
George is the one that gave name
and dignity to the family, he will
be the one always Of special in
terest and Importance.
He was born in Westmoreland
county, on the Potomac side of
the "Neck" and not far from the
bank of that historic stream. The
plantation was known as Wake
field. When George was a few
years old, the family migrated to
another plantation, up the Potomac
some fifty miles. 1t was called
Epsewasson { Hunting Creek. Lat
er it was named Mount Vernon, af-
ter Admiral Vernon, of the British
navy. with whom Lawrence Was b.
ington, an older brother, served
for season. When George was
about eight years old, the house on
the Epsewasson place burned and
the family moved again, this time
to a plantation in Stafford county, |
Just across the river from Fred
ericksburg.
Here the father (Augustine)
died and lett the place to George,
subject to his mothers right and
support. Mary Washington con-
tinued to enjoy the management
and profits of this property till
her death. None of the original
remain but the present
house is said to have been built on
the foundation Of the former
dwelling.
From the Stafford home George
got his first schooling. He was
carried two miles to the thriving
village Of Falmouth, up the river.
rhe teachers name was Grove,
md the boys called him "Hobby.'
He was one-eyed, good-natured
too good-natured for the best in
,erests of his pupils), and ICON
'ict." What crime he was con- {
'icted Of is not told. But when I
We remember that at that time {
here were in England about two
hundred crimes punishable with
leath, among which were poach- q
ng on game preserves, killing a
lare, etc., We may understand I
hat good Master Groves crime I
vas not of very serious nature, 9
morally speaking, though it may 4
ave been of sufficient legal tur- {
itude to warrant his transporta- .
ion. The same thing must be re- 8
rendered when We read in his.
DRY of shiploads OF "convicts" be- ,
ng sent over here, in those early .
imes, to people these lands. :
Washington's mother, Will. |,
to supervise her agri- =
ulture interest over in Stafford, r
lade her home later in the city of |;
fredericksburg. The modest home :
(which she lived is still standing,
nd is place Of great interest in !; /
he town. Hero she lived among !,
er flowers in the little garden to -
BIO rear of tho home. Here she
eceived visitors in Spartan sim- u
licity. One day, so the story :
oes, there came her famous son !.
18th famous friend of his, the u
Isrquis de Lafayette. They found .
err hoe in hand and pipe in mouth %
for it is no discredit to the be- u
we'd Mary that she was said to q
3 devoted to the FUMES of the u
irginia weed, and enjoyed them o
common with many an ancient "
anne of the olden time). When
le visitors came, she raised her N
III from bending over her flowers, m
-opped them a curtsy, gave them U
hearty welcome, and went on 8.
it'll her hoeing. pr
About two squares away 10 beau al
full "Kenmore," the mansion pI
here dwelt Betty Lewis, the best o'
slowed Of Washington's sisters. "
,me distance from the mansion on CO
little rocky knoll the remains Of m
e mother Of Washington were
fried, in compliance with her re-
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