Lawrence Washington

Lawrence Washington, the eldest son of John and Anne Washington, was born in 1659. Educated in England, he returned to Virginia following his father's death to manage the family's expanding landholdings and to engage in public service.

Upon his return, Lawrence served as both a county justice and sheriff, overseeing legal proceedings and ensuring the appearance of witnesses in court. He also held a commission in the local militia and represented Westmoreland County in the House of Burgesses from 1684 to 1686, and again from 1691 to 1692.

In 1686, Lawrence married Mildred Warner. Together, they had three children: John Washington III (born 1692), Augustine Washington (born 1694 and later the father of George Washington), and Mildred Washington Willis (born between 1696 and 1698). Lawrence also served as guardian to Nathaniel Pope Jr., a relative through marriage.

In 1685, Lawrence was involved in a legal dispute with his neighbor, David Wyckliffe, over the ownership of Olloo, an enslaved person associated with the Pope family estate. The Westmoreland County Court ruled in Lawrence’s favor on both occasions. Olloo is the first named enslaved person documented in Washington family history.

During a wave of witchcraft accusations in Virginia between 1694 and 1697, Lawrence was again called upon by county officials. He was ordered to oversee the construction of a ducking stool—a device used to submerge the accused in water—at his mill on Rosiers Creek. However, no surviving records confirm whether the stool was ever built or if Lawrence received compensation for the task.

Lawrence’s service in the House of Burgesses came to an early end due to declining health. On April 6, 1692, House of Burgesses records note:

“Wednesday Aprill the 6th 1692, The house mett. Capt Lawrence Washington a member of the house being ill had leave given to go out of towne for recovery of his health.1”

Lawrence Washington died in 1698 at the age of 39. He left his estate and the care of their three young children with his wife, Mildred.

1 H. R. MciLwaine, ed., Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia, 1659–93 (Richmond: The Colonial Press, 1914), 383.