The Colorado statesman. [volume] (Denver, Colo.) 1895-1961, 1916-02-19

washington,
And at Mount Vernon myself have noted
An old cast-iron, scutcheoned chimney-back
Charged with that heraldry.
The old building is in excellent state of
preservation. The main hall has fine fireplace
and an oak beam ceiling. The ancient oak stair
has very beguiling twisted bansters and a
fascinating secret cupboard at the intermediate
landing. The drawing room Is the second
floor, the custom in the days when 1t was
built, and in of the bedrooms it is said that
Queen Elizabeth once slept
The estate surrounding Sulgrave
sists of about two hundred acres of gently rolling
land, substantially all of it in full view of the
manor. The ownership carries with 1t the lord
ship of the manor, with the Rights. Royalties.
Privileges and Appurtenances thereto belonging"
and is subject to "a fee farm rent of lis sd s2S4)
per annum.'
Sulgrave Manor is the place in England most
closely associated with the name of Washington
and yet it is true that George Washington him
self attached little importance this fact In the
early days of the American republic ancestry
was despised much more than is the case
In 1888 George Washington refused to accept the
dedication of book on heraldry because por
tion of the community were:
"Clamorousy endeavorng to propagate an idea
that those whom they wished invidiously to des
ignate by the name 'wellborn' were meditating
in the first instance to distinguish themselves
from their compatriots and to wrest the dearest
privileges from the bulk of the people"
But the ability to trace ones ancestors has a
greater value In this country today than 1t had
in the days of the first president. Washington
knew very little about his own forefathers When
he asked about them by the Garter King-of-
Arms. he said the first of his family in Virginia
had come from one of the northern counties in
England possibly Yorkshire or Lancashire or
even farther north Later there was considerable
disputation about the root of the family tree
from which he descended, and It was finally
agreed by genealogists that the Washingtons of
Sugrave and Brighton did actually spring from
the Washingtons in Warton Lancashire. place on
the Westmoreand border.
Several generations of Washingtons of Warrior
recorded and one of these was the father of
Laurence Washington. mayor of Northampton In
1882 and 1915. He to have taken up his
residence at Sulgrave though members of his
family continued to remain at Warton for several
generations This Laurence Washington had for
mother the daughter of Robert Kytson of Hen
grave in Suffolk This proved a matter of very
considerable Importance in their history. because
it brought them into connection with the Spen-
of Athrop and Wormleighton, through the
marriage of Sir Thomas Kytsons daughter. Cath
crime, to Sir John Spencer of Wormleghtun.
whose grandson. Sir Robert Spencer. was created
Baron Spencer of Wormeighton in 1903.
In the process of time the Washingtons of Sui
grave appear to have got into financial difficulties
Laurence Washington entered the wool trade per-
haps induced to do by the fact that Lord
Spencer of the great hock-masters of his
day. This Laurence acquired considerable riches
In the wool trade. In 1889 he became possessed
of the Manor of Sulgrave for the sum of three
hundred and twentyone pounds. fourteen shil-
ngs and subsequently he purchased additional
property.
sundal With Washington Arms.
He had many sons of whom the Oldest was
Robert the ancestor of George Washington He
succeeded his father in 1885, when he was of the
age of forty. but he does not seem to have been
so prosperous his father. Yet 1t appears that
he was able to send both his sons Christopher
and William. to Orie college. Oxford. where they
we're in 1888, the year of the great armada
Roberts oldest named Laurence, probably
after the mayor of Northampton. and in lGI0
Robert in agreement with his son. agreed to sell
Sugrave to their cousin Laurence Makepeace.
The second Laurence Washington then removed
to Brington. Northampton his father per-
haps going with him. though the latter buried
In the family vault at Sugrave. Laurence Wash
ingtor had seventeen children. two of whom