Editor’s Note: At George Washington’s Ferry Farm, we are always interested in reexaminations of accepted history. Archaeology is creating new and more complete understandings of George’s Washington’s youth as well as of Mary Washington as a person. Mary has been both revered and reviled by history but archaeological discoveries at Ferry Farm are painting a … Continue reading Introducing Caty: More Than “Merry Laugh…and Lively Wit”
biography
Harriot’s Happily Ever After
As we saw in this blog post, Harriot Washington lost both of her parents by the time she was five years old. Her childhood was spent shuffling from one relative’s household to another. Finally, she came into the care of her uncle George Washington, who along with aunt Betty Washington Lewis, provided stability and support … Continue reading Harriot’s Happily Ever After
Harriot Washington’s “Hard Knock Life”
With one sister and three brothers, George Washington was uncle to numerous nieces and nephews. One niece was Harriot Washington was born sometime in 1776 to his brother Samuel and Samuel’s fourth wife Ann Steptoe. Harriot was orphaned by the time she was five years old, when her mother died in 1777 and her father … Continue reading Harriot Washington’s “Hard Knock Life”
Meet the Lewis Family: John and Fielding Jr.
Fielding Lewis was married twice. He and Catharine Washington, his first wife, had three children: John, Frances and Warner. Both Warner and Frances died leaving John as the sole heir from this first marriage. After Catharine’s death, Fielding married Betty Washington, and not quite a year later Fielding Lewis Jr. was born in 1751. Although … Continue reading Meet the Lewis Family: John and Fielding Jr.
Meet the Lewis Family: George Lewis
George Washington Lewis was Fielding and Betty Lewis’s fourth son, being born on March 14, 1757. His birth came within months of the deaths of two of his older brothers – Augustine and Warner, ages 4 and 1 – and was a bright spot in dark days for his parents. He was named for his … Continue reading Meet the Lewis Family: George Lewis
Meet the Lewis Family: Lawrence Lewis
Lawrence Lewis was born on April 4, 1767, the ninth child of Fielding and Betty Lewis and nephew of George Washington. His birth was noted by Fielding in the Lewis family bible, “Our Ninth a Son named Lawrence born the 4th of April 1767. Mr. Chas Washington & Mr. Francis Thornton Godfather & Mrs. Mary … Continue reading Meet the Lewis Family: Lawrence Lewis
Lives & Legacies 