John Augustine Washington

John Augustine Washington Sr. (January 13, 1736 – January 8, 1787) was an American planter and politician. He was the younger brother of George Washington, the first President of the United States, and the father of Supreme Court Justice Bushrod Washington. Additionally, he was the grandfather of John Augustine Washington Jr.

Early Life

John Augustine Washington was born on January 13, 1736, in either Stafford County or Prince William County (now part of Fairfax County), Virginia. He was the third son of Mary Ball, the second wife of Augustine Washington, a prominent planter. His father died when John was an infant. His eldest half-brother, Lawrence Washington, assumed responsibility for the family and ensured the education of John's younger siblings.

He married Hannah Bushrod in 1756, when he was less than 20 years old. By 1760, they had two daughters, Mary (who died in childhood, 1757–1762) and Jane (nicknamed Jenny, 1759–1791), likely born at Mount Vernon. Hannah Washington later bore three sons, probably at Bushfield in Westmoreland County. Their sons were Bushrod Washington, named after Hannah's maternal grandfather and who later served as a Supreme Court Justice; Corbin Washington, named after Hannah's maternal family and inheriting property in western Virginia; and William Augustine Washington (1767–1784), who did not reach adulthood. Jenny Washington married her half first cousin William Augustine Washington, and her sister Mildred C. Washington became the second wife of Thomas Lee.

Career

By his father's will, John Augustine inherited 700 acres at the "head of Maddox" on Mattox Creek in Westmoreland County. This land was the first property owned by the Washington family in Virginia and is part of what later became the George Washington Birthplace National Monument. He also inherited 2,700 acres in Frederick County, an estate called "Prospect Hill," from his father.

In his early career, John managed Mount Vernon for his brother George, who was engaged in surveying western lands. He brought his wife Hannah there in 1756. However, by 1759, they relocated to Bushfield in Westmoreland County, partly due to Hannah's father’s illness and subsequent death, and because George Washington married Martha and established his residence at Mount Vernon.

John Augustine Washington served as an executor of the will of John Bushrod, inheriting land, furniture, and slaves. He conducted an estate sale at Mount Vernon in September 1761. He participated in the Westmoreland Resolves of 1766, a group opposing the Stamp Act, which he signed alongside over 100 others. During the protests related to British policies, he served as chairman of the Westmoreland County relief committee, organizing grain shipments to aid Boston.

In 1768, he issued an advertisement regarding a runaway slave named Tom, who was likely headed to the Great Dismal Swamp. During the American Revolution, Washington served on Westmoreland County's Committee of Safety and as chairman of the Relief Committee for Boston. He was listed as a Virginia militia colonel in 1775, indicating an active role, primarily administrative, though his sons served in the military.

He was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1776 and again in 1779, serving alongside Richard Lee. He was a founding member of the Mississippi Land Company and was elected a vestryman of Cople Parish in Westmoreland County two years before his death.

Death and Legacy

John Augustine Washington died unexpectedly at Bushfield around January 8 or 9, 1787. A messenger delivered the news to Mount Vernon. He and his widow Hannah are believed to be buried on the grounds of Bushfield, though no gravestones remain. A commemorative stone was erected in 1986 by the Daughters of the American Revolution at Pohick Church. Bushfield was later burned by the British during the War of 1812 but was rebuilt and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It remains a private residence.