The Lovettsville Historical Society will open its 2018 lecture series on February 11, with a presentation by Walter Washington of Charles Town which will chronicle the migration of the Washington family from the Virginia Tidewater to the Lower Shenandoah Valley.
In 1750, eighteen year-old George Washington made his first real estate purchase of 500 acres in what is now Jefferson County, West Virginia, then part of Frederick County, Virginia. In 1770, his brother Samuel moved to his new home there, called “Harewood.” Ten years later their younger brother Charles built his home called “Happy Retreat,” and in 1786 he founded Charles Town. Their great nephews built the homes called “Blakely” and “Claymont,” and Samuel’s grandson built “Cedar Lawn.”
All in all, the Washington family owned ten manors in Jefferson County, seven of which have survived to this day. Today more Washington family descendants are buried in the Zion Episcopal Church cemetery in Charles Town, than in any other place in the country.
The February 11 event will also include background on the Washingtons in Loudoun County.
Our presenter, Walter Washington, practices law in Charles Town, West Virginia. He received his undergraduate degree from Carleton College and his law degree from American University. He lives at “Harewood,” the home built by his 5th great grandfather Samuel Washington in 1770. Mr. Washington is also the president of Friends of Happy Retreat, the non-profit corporation that has acquired and is restoring “Happy Retreat,” the 1780 home of Charles Washington.
The program will be held at St. James United Church of Christ, 10 East Broad Way, Lovettsville, Va., at 2:00 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are welcome to defray expenses of the program and to support the activities of the Lovettsville Historical Society.