Lawrence Washington spent his childhood at his father
John's Bridges Creek home (located at George
Washington Birthplace NM).
LAWRENCE WASHINGTON HISTORY, 1659 TO 1698
First Washington born in Virginia
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Lawrence Washington was born in 1659 at Mattox Creek. This land was the wedding gift property to his father and mother, by Lawrence's Grandfather Pope. Lawrence was the first child born in the colonies of America to a Washington family seeking a new life and fortune following the English Civil War. His father John Washington's purchase of 5,000 acres of land and his appointments to county and colony leadership positions were in keeping with the family's English royalist allegiances. A prominent Washington name had been established in Virginia. Eventually Lawrence moved with his younger brother and sister John and Ann to their father's Bridges Creek home with their parents when Lawrence was 5 years old. It was here that Lawrence's childhood was spent within a few hundred yards of the scenic and well navigated 5 mile wide Potomac River. His childhood home was secluded enough from the river to hide the family home from marauding pirates and horrendous storms. The late 1600s in Virginia was still somewhat rough and untamed. Nonetheless, the Washington family had established a comfortable home and modest farm/plantation with nearby neighbors in which to rely upon in times of need and social engagements.
Lawrence travels to England
Lawrence Washington most likely traveled to England in his early to mid-teenage years. Oliver Cromwell and the parliamentary revolt had failed nearly 10 years prior, the commonwealth experiment had failed, and the King had returned to power. England once again had enjoyed the familiar monarchy that had made it a world leading power. The Washingtons still remained royalists and young Lawrence most likely traveled to the Washington ancestral home in either Sulgrave, Parish Purleigh or the Parish of Littled Braxted, Essex. John Washington sent his sons to Britain to receive a proper education and refinement befitting proper Englishmen. In Lawrence's absence John and Ann faced the troubles at home with Bacon's rebellion and the invasion of their home by Bacon sympthasizers. Lawrence unfortunately would never see his father or mother again. Ann and John died in 1675 and 1677 before his return to Virginia.
Returning to Mattox Creek, Virginia and legal troubles
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Lawrence Washington returned from a lengthy stay in England in 1679. The homesite of his childhood was now the property of his brother John. He found his parents buried behind the Bridges Creek home in the recently established family cemetery. His father had nonetheless provided for Lawrence by giving him perhaps the largest and most valuable Mattox Creek property. Lawrence returned to his birth home site a few miles from brother John at Bridges Creek to establish his new home. The historic record is scant regarding Lawrence, but review of the Westmoreland county court records indicates his court dispositions were frequent and higher in percentage than his father's. Unfortunately, Lawrence was unable to attend the execution of his father's will and was left with civil legal problems that would plague him the rest of his life. He needed to settle claims by caretakers of the Mattox Creek property during his absence including paying $1,800 in tobacco to Captain John Lord for "great charge and trouble" in handling the estate of the late John Washington. In his later years Lawrence would face property law disputes regarding the only property he would purchase in his life - the Lisson estate opposite the creek from brother John's Bridges Creek home. Prior to the age of 20, Lawrence seemingly had led a comfortable and charmed life. For the remainder of his 18 years of life he would almost appear to lead the opposite.
Modest public service
Lawrence's public service as a member of the Westmoreland Court, and a burgess in the Virginia assembly seem modest, especially if compared to his father John's service. Lawrence did obtain the rank of Captain in the militia, and did make two appearance in the House of Burgesses. Perhaps Lawrence never could dedicate himself to the level of public service of his father due to his ever present legal problems concerning his father's estate. Lawrence may not have been driven to overcome large obstacles that his father faced such as the English Civil War, the sudden loss of wealth and position and moving to a young colony besieged by sometimes violent Indians. Lawrence did serve as the high sheriff of the county with his younger brother John serving as his under sheriff (deputy). Interestingly this was in a period of colonial America when dunking stools were used a form of punishment as noted by Westmoreland County records. There is some indication that Lawrence at times displayed openly careless attention to his duties when he failed to keep his office current on the English statutes he was appointed to enforce. He was advanced funding to secure copies of Parliament, but failed to obtain the updated copies and following his death, his estate was sued for compensation.
A late marriage, a young family and an early death
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The Daniel Lisson Estate was the only property purchased by Lawrence across Bridges Creek from his brother John's home. |
Lawrence married relatively late at the age of 27 to Mildred Warner the daughter of Augustine Warner. The two began to raise a family with John born in 1690, Augustine born in 1694 and Mildred born in 1696. Lawrence had developed some savvy business dealings with companies in England and began to see some chance of economic success with less frustrations in civil law suits. He purchased the modest 400 acres Daniel Lission Estate across the creek from his brother John's Bridges Creek home. It seems as if he was on the eve of establishing his family in a new location with the opportunity for enhanced prosperity similar to his father's move and successes. All of this ended when Lawrence took ill and died at the relatively young age of 38. Mildred Washington was left three with small, fatherless children. Augustine Washington ( father of George Washington - the father of the father of our country) was only 4 years old when his father Lawrence died.
Reflections on Lawrence Washington
Lawrence Washington is unique in the paternal lineage of the Great George Washington. He almost falls into the shadows of greatness when compared to his father John Washington who showed much success in land acquisition, and civil office. He also lacks the historic attention of his entrepreneurial son Augustine. Augustine was the "father of the father of our country" and therefore receives an inherent amount of study. Lawrence may be an example of how a child born into comfort with accessible parents, who is not faced with early adversity, would therefore not be as compelled to make big strides to overcome misfortune and consequently make a splash in history. His relatively early death also cut short his chances. Nonetheless Lawrence did obtain civil office befitting his family name and he was on the eve of establishing a comfortable family estate on the edge of what is now George Washington Birthplace National Monument. Ultimately, without Lawrence Washington, the great George Washington would not have been possible.
