Washington Family in Britain, The

Publication

-

Jefferson County Museum

Name/Title

Washington Family in Britain, The

Entry/Object ID

LIB667

Description

The story of the Washington family begins with William, who settled at Washington in north-east England before 1180; but his forebears may be traced for many generations. William's parents, Sir Patric, second son of Earl Gospatric III of Dunbar (who died in 1166) and his wife Cicely, appear with their son in a list of benefactors of Durham Priory. From his grandmother, the pious Countess Dierdre, who, with her husband Earl Gospatric, founded the nunnery of Coldstream, William inherited the Border estate of the Hirsel (today the seat of the Douglas-Home family, also descendants of Earl Gospatric) and lands at Greenlaw nearby. The earls of Dunbar held extensive estates both in north-east and north-west England, including the barony of Beanley in Northumberland, besides being tenants of Milburn, not far distant in Westmorland (Cumbria). Patric, William's father, seems to have held Helsington, Westmorland, under William of Lancaster, lord of Kendal; and from this period members of the Washington family appear frequently in Kendal records. The descent of the family properties in Berwickshire, Northumberland, Durham and Westmorland, appears to have been well established before William settled at Washington and adopted its name, explaining the early and continuing connections of the family with these widespread areas. Like other great medieval landed proprietors, the Washingtons moved between their estates, living in different properties in turn while performing local duties and services, but known by the name of their principal residence. William, descended from the younger son of an ancient noble house, became the founder of another great line which, after varied fortunes, produced the first President of the United States of America.

Acquisition

Accession

483

Source or Donor

Washington, Margaret

Acquisition Method

Gift

Credit Line

*No deed of gift on file as of 6/27/14

Publication Details

Author

Johnson, Margot, M. A.

Publisher

Turnstone Ventures

Place Published

* Untyped Place Published

Durham, England

Date Published

1985