Los Angeles herald., 1908-03-08
GEORGE WASHINGTON.

OAOxN
There is an impression extant that Washington
was not of noble birth; indeed it is no uncommon
thing to see this assertion boldly made in print.
This is an ERRONEOUS impression, and while the
newspapers all over the land today, filled with
interesting historical incidents concerning the
BIRTH life and career of The Father of his Country
from his cradle to his grave we will endeavor to
devote some space to the antecedents of Wash
ington; his rich heritage of blood, from many
mobile" and royal ancestors. For this purpose
we have secured the right of publication of the
valuable records, secured at great labor and ex-
pense by Mrs. H. D. Pittman for publication in her
valuable book, "AmericGnS of Gentle Birth and
Their Ancestors"
WASHINGTON.
Washington Irving has well said: Heredty
rank may be an Illusion but hereditary virtue
gives patent of innate nobleness, beyond all OF
the blazonry of the Herads College, In con-
firmation Of this theory of the real and enduring
worth of race, 1t will only be necessary to trace
without minuteness Of detail through historical
documents extending over several centuries the
pedigree of one man whom the nation has delighted
to honor.
Having cast aside hereditary rank and honor,
and the glamour of social caste and honor, he
stands every test, the personcation of all that
is great and noble and true. That man is George
Washington, the patriot hero and first President Of
the United States.
"The Washington family has been clearly traced
back to the century Immediately succeeding the
Conquest when they are found In the possession
Of landed estates and immortal privileges In Co.
Durham; such were only granted to those who
came over from Normandy with William the Con-
querer and their descendants, fought under his
standard.
'"ro these followers he apportioned the conquered
territory, Of which of the wealthiest and most
important that of Durham, which held
the bones of ST. Cuthbert transported from their
original shrine at Lindis forne. For this reason
the see of Durham was endowed with extraor
binary privileges. 1t became a Palatinate, and
the Bishop Count Palatine and Lord Heigh
Admiral of the and waters lived in almost royal
state and splendor The princely prelate of Dur
ham had his barons and knights, who held estates
of him in feudal tenure, and were bound to serve
him in peace and war. When the banner of St.
Cuthbert was unfured all of the armed retainers
of the Bishop bound to follow him to the field
among these knights was William de Hertburn
so called from the estate which he lived, as
was the custom Of those days. He was probably
companion in arms of Robert de Brus, (Bruce),
a noble Norman knight who was awarded vast
estates by the conquerer Among them the Lord
ship of Hert in Co. Durham
"The 'Bolden Buke shows that A. D. 1883,
William de Hertburn exchanged his village or
for the of washington, also in the
diocese of Durham, assuming the responsibilities
attendant upon the exchange; to attend the Bishop
with two grey hounds In grand hunts; and to
furnish a man at arms whenever military aid was
required The family name was of course changed
with the estate, and he and his descendants were
henceforth known de washington, and he became
the progentor Of the Washingtons.
"In the XIII century occurred the wars OF the
barons, when the throne of Henry III was menaced
by the de Mountforts. On the list of loyal knights
found in the Bolden Buke, who fought at Lewes
when the king was taken prisoner, 1854, Is found
the name of William washington of Washington
"In the reign of Edward I, when the banner of
st. Cutnberts unfurled, the Bishop of Durham
in, &c cfo nv fo,1de