Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1916-02-18
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. A W0HByngtOn,
And at Mount Vernon myself have noted
An old castiron. scutcheoned chtmney-haek
Charged with that heraldry
The old building is in an excellent state OF
preservation. The main hall has n fine fireplace
and an oak beam ceiling. The ancient oak stair
case has very beguilIng twisted banisters and 8
fascinating secret cupboard at the intermediate
landing. The drawing room 10 on the second
floor, was the custom in the days when Il was
built and in one OF the bedrooms II ia said that
Queen Elizabeth once slept
The estate surrounding SulgrRve manor con.
sists OF about two hundred acres OF gently rolling
land, substantially all OF II in full view Of the
manor. The ownership carries with II the lord
ship OF the manor with the Rights Royalties,
Privileges and Appurtenances thereto belonging"
and 10 subject to "a fee farm rent Of lis Cd e2sA
per annum."
suIgrRve Manor is the place In England most
closely associated with the name OF Washington,
and vet II 10 true that George Washington him
self attached little Importance TO this fact In tbs
early days OF the American republic. ancestry
was despised much more than Ii now the case.
In 1883 George Washington refused to accept the
dedication Of book on heraldry because q por
ton of the community were:
"Clamorously endeavoring to propagate an idea
that those whom they wished invidiousiy 10 des
ignate BY the name 'wellborn were meditatfng
in the hrBt instance to distinguish themselves
from their compatriots and to wrest the dearest
privileges from the bulk Of the people,"
But the ability 10 trace ones ancestors has
greater value IN this country today than, it had
in the days OF the FIRST president Washington
knew very little about his own forefathers. When
he was asked about them By the Garter Klngof-
Arms he said the FIRST Of bis family IN Virginia
had come from Of the northern counties IN
England, possibly Yorkshire Lancashire. or
even farther north. Later there was considerable
dsputation about the root OF the family tres
from which he was descended. and II was finally
agreed by genealogists that the WashngI0na Of
Sulgrave and Brighton did actually spring from
the Washingtons in Warton, Lancashire. place on
the Westmoreland border
Several generations OF Washingtons OF Warrior
are recorded, and one of these was the father Of
Laurence Washington, mayor Of Northampton In
1882 and 1916 He seems 70 have taken Hp bis
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 3 matter Of very
considerable Importance in their history. because
Il brought them into connection with the EDen-
GERS OF Althrop and Wofmieighton. through the
marriage Of Sir Thomas Kytsons daughter. Cath,
crime to Sir John Spencer Of Wormleghton.
whose grandson Sir Robert Spencer. was created
Baron Spencer Of Wormleighton in 1903.
In the process Of time the Washingtons Of Sui.
grave appear to have got into financial daicuities
hans induced to do 50 by the fact that Lord
Spencer was one OF the great nockmasters 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 shii.
IinRs, and subsequently he purchased additional
property
sundIaI With Washington Arms.
He had many sons. OF whom the oldest was
Robert, the ancestor OF George Washington lie
succeeded his father in 1885. when he was Of the
aye OF forty but he does not seem 10 have been
90 prosperous as his father Yet II appears that
he was able 70 send both his sons. Christopher
and william to 0riei college. oxford. where they
we're ia 1883 the year Of the great armada
Roberts Oldest named Laurence. probably
after the mayor Of Northampton. and In ie1f
Robert In agreement with his son. agreed to sell
sgulgrave 70 their cousin. Laurence Makepeace
The second Laurence Washington then Femoxee
TO Brington, near Northampton. his father per
haps going with him. though the latter was buriet
IN the family vault az Suigrave Laurence Wash
ington had seventeen children, two Of whom ros'