Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-22
THE ENGLISH WASH|NGT0NS
TRAVELLERS VISIT TO THE OLD
VILLAGE OF sULGRAVE.
Tombs Of Ancestors Of the Greatest
American-The Washingtons
of Wickhamford.

James p. HunneweIl in the Magazine OF History
Among many places and objects seen
during the past summer, let me speak
of three In England that have a distinctly
American connection and interest. Each
of them is far out of the busy world of
today, and each is reached by a delight
full ride in a most serviceable motor-car-
riage. Our first excursion was from
bennington to Sulgrave. No one whom
we could find knew anything about Sui
grave. and we had no map. Sulgrave Is
ignored by small maps as I have found
them. Any one who thinks that there is
no research involved in such a hunt for
historic evidence should inquire and find
the way over the five and twenty or
thirty miles of country between the two
places. We headed for Banbury. some
where beyond which was our destina-
ton, and we reached that interesting old
town. perhaps two-thirds of our way. be-
fore we gained definite information. Then
we had a clue from signboards bearing
the name. and in good time we reached
the end Of our journey.
Sulgrave is small, very secluded and
quiet village. On slightly rising ground
stands its little old church. from which
gently slopes its one street lined by ir-
farther end to the right and back from
the streets stands the manor house. long
ago the home Of the Washingtons 1t Is
irregularly square, with two stories and
gables. built of small stones. with quoins
of larger stones now gray except on what
might be called the front, which Is yell
lowish roughcast. At the left of this
front is a projecting part with Tudor
arched door, and a gable in the apex OF
which. dimly seen. are the Washington
harms way and acquisitive reach. 1t has
been proved that there Is need enough Of
precaution. The roof of the house is of
fat stones. dark and lichenous.
Adjoining the house. to the right. in
closed by an old stone wall. is garden
with vegetables and flowers. Most of the
side Of the house toward 1t is mantled
with ivy. On the opposite side of the
house. and also adjoining it. is barn
yard. The building. indeed. Is now a
farmhouse Of an estate Of 1913 acres. All
around. and on two sides, reaching the
house. are fields; and farther back Is
rural prospect. In the lower story, with
windows on the garden side and the front.
is a square room with a fiat ceiling
crossed at right angles by two very
dark beams that thus form a cross. On
the inner side is a large fireplace; on
another is fourbay, square-headed
window 1t is a simple. good-sized com
fort table room, quaint but not fine. Over
1t Is a square chamber. even palmer. with
the ceiling rising part way on the slope
of the roof, and with a floor Of old wide
boards. now dark. In this room. we were
told. Lawrence. ancestor Of George Wash
ington. was born.
Henry F. Waters Researches.
The lineage OF Lawrence Washington
in America was for long time known
distinct to the sea, but the English con-
nection was not found until 1884 or 1885.
when Mr.. Henry F. Waters. in his i'm
portant researches. discovered It. a sue
cessful close being reached. he tells US.
June 3. 1889 The result is the more nota-
ble since the name. as he also shows us,
is found in nineteen counties that he
mentions. From President George Wash
ington the line seems clearly traced
through Augustine and Lawrence to John,
who came to Virginia in 1888 or 1884.
and from him to Lawrence OF Suigrave