The Washington herald., 1909-02-21

One hundred and twenty years ago.
when the United States was engaged IN
paying OF the debts Of the Revolution
with land grants conferring title to tracts
IN the then Northwest Territory. three
surveys. among others. were assigned 10
Gen George Washington. They we're not
occupied Immediately. and the Land Of
fee. some few years later, issued dupli-
cate titles for the tracts 10 the heirs Of
Gen. Neville and to one Henry Aassie.
When the duplication OF title was discov-
cred. Bushrod Washington presented a
claim asking for the restoration Of the
property 70 the Washington estate. or
reasonable financial reimbursement
The dispute has extended into many
courts. and during the last century has
been dragged out until It threatens 70
resemble that OF Jarndyoe vs.. Jarndyce-
Recently encounterIng statute Of limi-
tation in the courts, the Washington heirs
have petiuoned Congress to correct the
matter by original legislation A bin has
been prepared and now is IN q favorable
state before both Houses Of Congress
Robert E Lee. r., represents the family
n the matter. and an interesting feature
OF the case has been the Unearthing of
collateral descendants OF George Wash
ington al over the country, many Of
whom have come into communication
with the Virginia branch Of the family
for the first time. They appear IN many
curious walks Of life, which probably
would surprise the distinguished Father
Of His Country should be become ac-
o,1ainted with them. While none, so far
as is known. has achieved any great emil
nence Gndeed. there is not a Washington
in Who's Who. the average Of dis
tinctiCu and respectability Of the list is
very high.
Gets Data of Family.
The present Lawrence Washington, VINO
has devoted a good deal OF time and
effort toward helping Mr.. Lee obtain data
concerning the family 10 aid him in prose
cutting the claims before Congress. estl-
mates that there probably are about 1,20t
living descendants Of WashingtOn's six
brothers and sister, the greater part Of
them being descended from Betty Lewis,
the sister. The present headquarters OF
the family is az HsrewOoG, near Charles
town. W Va which was the home o.
Col sam Washington. George Washing
tons brother There are half a hundred
descendants Of sam and Of John Angus
tine in the neighborhOod. Since the hold
incs Of the family al Mount Vernon have
been absorbed by The nation, nearly ali
Of the members Of the family who are
located IN Virsina have drifted into the
neiZhborhOod Of HarewoOd and Charles
town.
The members Of the family who have
wandered from the Old Dominion are
pursuing various occupations in all parts
Of the Union. Almost every large city
and state and nearly every possible kind
o. q employment are represented Several
are in the government service. many are
lawyers, a majority farmers: there IS a
Ei-er or two, some lumbermen but after
agriculture the present generation seems
20 run mostly 10 the very commercial pUr-
suits Of real estate and stockbToking.
II there Is a Washington descendant in
your town he probably is marked by the
use Of one OF the family Christian names
for LaWFeRces, John AUgustines. and
Bushrcds abound IN the list. There has
been a refreshing mOdesJy on the part Of
the family toward naming their offspring
after their most iIlUstrious member So
far as Is known IN the family there IS
only one living George among the de-
sCendanIs. He is George s Washington.
a merchandise broker OF Philadelphia
Nearly Ninety Years Old.
The Oldest living member OF the family
is Uncle" Richard Washington. CT
Charlestowu, y. Va. He IS nearly ninety,
and unbToken in health. Il IS a tradition
in the family that he is the only one Of
the WashingtOns who ever has reached
an advanced age, most Of them not hav-
ing filed out the quota OF years. sixty
seven. which was that Of the nations
first President There IS every prospect
however OF Uncle Richard living az the
head Of the clan for many years TO come
He is a perfect chronicle Of the history