Augustine WASHINGTON

M, b. 1694, d. 12 April 1743
Relationship
6th great-grandfather of John Kennedy BROWN Jr.
Augustine Washington
     Augustine WASHINGTON, son of Lawrence WASHINGTON and Mildred WARNER, was born in 1694 at Bridges Creek in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He was only four years old when his father died. He inherited about 1,000 acres on Bridges Creek in Westmoreland County; his sister Mildred inherited what was called the Little Hunting Creek property.

Augustine was educated in the Appleby School, England.

When he came of age (and into his inheritance), Augustine married Jane BUTLER on 20 April 1715 in Westmoreland County, Virginia. She was an orphan, who had inherited about 640 acres from her father. The young couple settled on the Bridges Creek property. In 1718, Washington purchased land on Popes Creek, abridging his property on Bridges Creek. About 1726, he built a new house there (later called Wakefield). In the same year, he purchased the Little Hunting Creek property from his sister Mildred. This would later become George Washington's Mount Vernon estate.

In addition to his work supervising overseers and slave labor as a tobacco planter, Washington was active in the Anglican Church and in local politics. He served at various times as justice of the peace and as county sheriff.1

After Jane's early death in 1729, Augustine married second Mary BALL, daughter of Joseph BALL and Mary MONTAGUE, on 6 March 1729/30 at Epping Forest in Lancaster County, Virginia. They had three children together: George, Betty, and Samuel.

In 1735, the family moved to the Little Hunting Creek property. The exact reason for the move is unclear, but it may have had to do with Washington's other occupation of iron mining. In 1725, Augustine entered into an agreement with the Principio Company of England to start an iron works on Accokeek Creek in Stafford County. In 1728, Washington agreed with the company to bear one sixth of the cost of running Accokeek Furnace. Little Hunting Creek was closer to the iron mine than Pope's Creek. Washington cultivated tobacco on his plantations, which was labor intensive and required the work of many slaves. By the time George Washington was born, the population of the Virginia colony was 50 percent black, most of whom were enslaved.

In 1738, a 150-acre property formerly owned by William Strother, became available for purchase. It was just across the Rappahannock River from the fledgling town of Fredricksburg, Virginia. Washington purchased it from the Strother executors. He moved his family to the plantation at the end of 1738. The new property offered easier access to Accokeek Furnace and was within a day's ride of both Little Hunting Creek and Popes Creek properties. Washington also leased a 450-acre parcel adjacent to the Strother property which he later purchased outright. Although the property included a ferry road and landing, it was not called Ferry Farm during the time of the Augustine Washington's residency.

By 1738, two more Washington children were born: John Augustine, 1736, and Charles, 1738. A sixth child, Mildred, was born on the new farm in 1739, but she died in infancy in 1740.2,3

Augustine saw military service between 1740 and 1743 as a captain of Virginia troops during the Indian wars.

Augustine WASHINGTON died on 12 April 1743 at Ferry Farm in King George County, Virginia.2 He was buried in Bridges Creek Washington Family cemetery, George Washington Birthplace National Monument, Virginia. His estate was probated on 6 May 1743 in King George County, Virginia.4,5

After Washington's death at the age of 49, his son George inherited the former Strother property and its slaves. As he was only 11 years old, his mother Mary managed the property for him until he came of age. She lived on the property until 1772, when she was 64 and George moved her to a house in Fredericksburg across the river.

Lawrence inherited the Little Hunting Creek property and its slaves. He renamed his property Mount Vernon, in honor of Admiral Edward Vernon, with whom he had served in the British Navy during the Battle of Cartagena de Indias.

Lastly, Augustine, Jr. inherited the Popes Creek property and slaves. At his death, Augustine Washington, Sr. held a total of 64 slaves, who were assigned to the various plantations.

According to Augustine's will, if Lawrence died without children, the Little Hunting Creek property would be given to Augustine, Jr. He would then have to give Popes Creek to George. If Augustine, Jr. did not want the Little Hunting Creek property, it would be inherited by George. Lawrence had no living children when he died, and Augustine, Jr. did not want to give up Popes Creek; therefore, George Washington ultimately inherited the Little Hunting Creek property.

Lawrence Washington's widow Ann had a life interest in the Little Hunting Creek plantation. As she remarried and was not living at Mount Vernon, she leased the property to George beginning in 1754. Upon her death in 1761, George Washington inherited the plantation outright.3
Last Edited=25 Jun 2023

Children of Augustine WASHINGTON and Jane BUTLER

Children of Augustine WASHINGTON and Mary BALL

Citations

  1. [S157] John Baer Stoudt, Nicholas Martiau.
  2. [S158] Augustine Washington family Bible.
  3. [S812] "Augustine Washington", unknown cd.
  4. [S1126] John W. Wayland, The Washingtons and Their Homes, pg. 154 -- Chapter IX, Charles Washington and Charles Town.
  5. [S1193] "Charles Washington (1738-1799)" , Digital Encyclopedia article.

Information on this site has been gathered over many years from many sources. Although great care has been taken, inaccuracies may exist. Please contact [email protected] with corrections or questions..