Augustine Washington

Career When he reached legal age in 1715, Augustine Washington inherited about on Bridges Creek in Westmoreland County; his sister Mildred inherited what was called the Little Hunting Creek property; they both inherited enslaved people. In 1718, Washington purchased land on Pope's Creek, adjoining his property on Bridges Creek, and set about establishing himself. Between 1723 and 1735, he hired a local contractor to build a house, which was probably completed about 1726 despite the contractor's death (later called Wakefield). In the same year, Washington purchased the Little Hunting Creek property from his sister Mildred.

In 1725, Augustine Washington entered into an agreement with the Principio Company of England to start an iron works on Accokeek Creek in Stafford County, and he also owned a stake in their Maryland ironworks. and served as county sheriff.

Death and legacy Washington died on April 12, 1743. After he died, his 11-year-old son George inherited the former Strother property and its slaves. Because George had not reached legal age, his widowed mother Mary Ball Washington managed this property for him until he came of age. She lived on the property until 1772 when she was 64 when George moved her to a house in Fredericksburg.

Lawrence Washington inherited the Little Hunting Creek property and renamed it "Mount Vernon" to honor Admiral Edward Vernon, with whom he had served in the Royal Navy in 1741 during the Battle of Cartagena de Indias during the War of Jenkins' Ear.

According to Augustine Sr's will, if his son Lawrence died without children, the Little Hunting Creek property would go to Augustine Jr., and Augustine Jr, in turn, would have to give up the Popes Creek property to his brother George. If Augustine Jr. did not want the Little Hunting Creek property, George would then inherit it. Upon Lawrence's death, Augustine Jr. chose Popes Creek and its slaves over the former Little Hunting Creek property. Lawrence's only surviving child, Sarah, lived until 1754; therefore, George Washington ultimately inherited the Little Hunting Creek property, which was known as Mount Vernon by that time. At his death, Augustine Washington Sr. enslaved a total of 64 people who were assigned among the various plantations.

Lawrence Washington's widow, Ann, had a life interest in the Little Hunting Creek plantation. Because she remarried and was not living at Mount Vernon, she leased the property to George in 1754. Upon her death in 1761, George Washington inherited the plantation outright.

Children (by Jane Butler) Butler Washington (1716–1716) Lawrence Washington (1718–1752) Augustine Washington Jr. (1720–1762) Jane Washington (1722–1735)

Children (by Mary Ball) George Washington (1732–1799), the first president of the United States Elizabeth Washington (1733–1797) Samuel Washington (1734–1781) John Augustine Washington (1736–1787) Charles Washington (1738–1799) Mildred Washington (1739–1740)