Rachel Warrington

Rachel Warrington (January 20, 1753–ca. 1815) was a woman who became embroiled in a scandal, bearing a son, Lewis, probably fathered by Donatien-Marie-Joseph de Vimeur, vicomte de Rochambeau in late eighteenth century Colonial Williamsburg and Yorktown, Virginia. There is an alternate theory that Louis-François-Bertrand du Pont d'Aubevoye de Lauberdière was Lewis's father. Rachel and her sister Camilla had been taken in by their aunt and uncle, Suzannah and George Riddell; both men lived in the Riddell household during the winter of 1781–1782..

Lewis had a notable career in the US Navy, becoming a commodore and later United States Secretary of the Navy.

Early life Rachel Warrington was born on January 20, 1753 She and her sister were orphaned at a young age, He was a minister at the Charles Parish in York, Virginia. With him were his wife, Elizabeth, and son Francis Spencer Warrington, who was born January 20, 1749, and baptized at the Charles Parish on Feb. 11, 1749. He was then the minister of the St. John's Episcopal Church of Hampton from 1756 to 1770. Thomas was recommended for the position by Governor William Gooch. The reverend was described as "a fearless, upright man" like "his brave and patriotic grandson, Commodore Louis [Lewis] Warrington."

They were neighbors of Governor Thomas Jefferson, George Wythe, Francis Bland Randolph Tucker and St. George Tucker. They were not taken in by the Williamsburg gentry. Betsy Ambler said that she "had little patience with either" of the young women. Rachel had "more bewitching talents for seducing a guileless heart then any human being I have ever known", according to Betsy's friend Mildred Smith. Both Betsy and Mildred were the daughters of wealthy and respected men.

There is also the possibility that the father of the baby was not the vicomte, but Lauberdière, who noted in his journal that he and Rochambeau had begun romantic relationships with Rachel and Camilla.

On January 8, 1783, the Vicomte de Rochambeau left America aboard the L’Emeraude, leaving Rachel and their baby behind. Rachel kept on hoping that he would return over the next four years. Camilla was afraid that the scandal would affect her chances of having a good marriage. and they lived in poverty in Yorktown, Virginia with Brown's daughters. Lewis remained in Williamsburg; he would not take his stepfather's surname.