Betty Washington Lewis

Elizabeth Washington Lewis was born on June 20, 1733, at Popes Creek in Westmoreland County, Colony of Virginia. She was the youngest sister of George Washington and the only one of his three sisters to survive childhood. Her parents were Augustine Washington and Mary Ball Washington.

In her early years, she resided at the family plantation on the Upper Potomac. At age seven, her family relocated to Ferry Farm near Fredericksburg, Virginia, in search of better economic opportunities. During this period, she was known as "Betty" within the family and enjoyed a childhood that included possibly learning horse-riding. Elizabeth attended school concurrently with her brother George, maintaining close relations with him throughout her life.

Following the death of her father in 1743, Elizabeth received instruction in domestic arts from her mother. She was later sent to Fredericksburg for further education, where she reunited with George and her four brothers. After George Washington moved permanently to Mount Vernon to live with their half-brother Lawrence Washington, Elizabeth took on most household responsibilities.

In 1750, Elizabeth spent significant time with her cousin Fielding Lewis. After Lewis's first wife, Catharine Washington, died in childbirth that year, he sought comfort in Elizabeth's company. Their relationship developed mutually, gaining their families' approval. Elizabeth married Fielding Lewis on May 7, 1750, at Ferry Farm.

The couple had eleven children, of whom seven survived into adulthood:

- Fielding Lewis, II (1751–1803), who married Anne Alexander and Nancy Alexander; had children.

- Augustine Lewis (1752–1756), died as a child.

- Warner Lewis (1755–1756), died in infancy.

- George Washington Lewis (1757–1831), married Catherine Daingerfield; had children.

- Mary Lewis (1759), died in infancy.

- Charles Lewis (1760–1775), died unmarried.

- Samuel Lewis (1762–1764), died as a child.

- Elizabeth Lewis (1765–1830), married Charles Carter; had children.

- Lawrence Lewis (1767–1839), married Eleanor Parke Custis, George Washington's step-granddaughter; had children.

- Robert Lewis (1769–1829), married Judith Carter Browne; had children.

- Howell Lewis (1771–1822), married Ellen Hackley Pollard; had children.

The Lewises acquired land near Fredericksburg, including 1270 acres, on which they constructed Millbrook House, later renamed Kenmore House in 1794. They lived there for most of their lives, frequently visited by George Washington, who maintained close family ties. Fielding Lewis became involved in the American Revolution, which placed financial strain on the estate.

Fielding Lewis died on December 7, 1781, at age 56, after which Elizabeth was widowed. She survived him by 16 years, passing away on March 31, 1797, at the age of 63.

Following her husband's death, Elizabeth took on responsibilities for managing the Kenmore estate, which had been heavily mortgaged to support Fielding Lewis's Revolutionary War efforts. She also managed the Lewis Store, and her efforts in estate management included selling land surrounding Kenmore and operating a small boarding school.

In 1791, she moved to live with her daughter Betty Carter at Western View in Culpeper County, Virginia. After her death in 1797, her stepson John inherited the Kenmore estate, which was subsequently sold.