Lawrence Washington

Lawrence Washington (September 1659 – February 1698) was a colonial-era Virginia planter, slaveholder, lawyer, soldier, and politician. He was the paternal grandfather of George Washington.

Early life and education:

Lawrence Washington was born in September 1659 on his father's estate at Mattox Creek. At age five, his family moved to a nearby plantation on Bridges Creek in Westmoreland County, Colony of Virginia. He was named after his paternal grandfather, Reverend Lawrence Washington, a former Oxford don and High Church Anglican Rector. His father, John Washington, emigrated from Essex, England, and married Anne Pope. His mother, Anne Pope, was the daughter and heiress of Colonel Nathaniel Pope, a merchant and planter who had migrated to Maryland and later to Virginia's Northern Neck. Colonel Pope provided start-up capital and property to John Washington as a marriage gift. Colonel Pope died shortly before Lawrence's birth. Anne Pope died when Lawrence was a child; she had two other children who survived to adulthood: John Washington (c. 1660–1698) and Anne Washington Wright (c. 1660–1697). John Washington remarried twice, both times to widows, but had no additional children; he expanded his landholdings through these marriages. Lawrence received private education in Virginia and was later sent to England to complete his studies, including training as a lawyer.

Career:

As the eldest son, Lawrence inherited the family estates on the Potomac River—Mattox Creek (approximately 1,850 acres) and Little Hunting Creek (around 2,500 acres). These lands would eventually be renamed Mount Vernon by his grandson and namesake, Lawrence Washington. During his lifetime, he did not significantly enlarge these properties, suggesting his focus was on politics and law rather than plantation expansion. He left personal property to support his widow and children, including 406 pounds of sterling and 32,509 pounds of tobacco. Lawrence Washington assumed public responsibilities in Westmoreland County. He was elected to the House of Burgesses representing Westmoreland County three times—first in 1684. His service was interrupted in 1688 when the session was suppressed. He previously served as a justice of the peace starting in 1680, became colonel of the county militia in 1684, and served two years as county sheriff. Additionally, he was the county coroner and acted as a trustee for estates including that of Thomas Pope, orphan Jan Hay, and Daniel Lisson's daughter, born posthumously.

Family life:

In 1688, Lawrence Washington married Mildred Warner, the daughter of Mildred Reade and Augustine Warner Jr., a wealthy planter from Gloucester County. They had three children: John Washington III (1692–1746), Augustine Washington (1694–1743), and Mildred Washington (1698–1747).

Death and legacy:

Lawrence Washington died in February 1698 at the age of 38. He was buried in the family cemetery at Bridges Creek. His widow, Mildred Warner Washington, later married George Gale and moved the family to Whitehaven, England. Mildred died in 1701 at age 30 following childbirth. Her will appointed Gale as guardian for her children, but in 1704 their cousin John Washington successfully petitioned for custody. The children returned to Virginia and lived near Chotank Creek. John Washington held their inheritance and served as their guardian.