From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
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<strong>Farm</strong> <strong>House</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>White</strong> <strong>House</strong>, by William M. Thayer 11<br />
tact, fitted by natural endowments and education <strong>to</strong> lay <strong>the</strong> foundation of things in a new country. They<br />
descended from an ancestry of honor and influence from <strong>the</strong> twelfth century. That ancestry lived in warlike<br />
times. Some of <strong>the</strong>m were renowned for deeds of heroism. All of <strong>the</strong>m were known for loyalty, intelligence<br />
and solidity of character. Washing<strong>to</strong>n Irving paid a visit <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> ancient "Washing<strong>to</strong>n's manor" at Sulgrave,<br />
several years before he wrote <strong>the</strong> "Life of George Washing<strong>to</strong>n," and he said,--<br />
"It was in a rural neighborhood, where <strong>the</strong> farm-houses were quaint and antiquated. A part only of <strong>the</strong><br />
manor-house remained, and was inhabited by a farmer. The Washing<strong>to</strong>n crest, in colored glass, was <strong>to</strong> be seen<br />
in a window of what is now <strong>the</strong> buttery. A window, on which <strong>the</strong> whole family arms was emblazoned, had<br />
been removed <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> residence of <strong>the</strong> actual proprie<strong>to</strong>r of <strong>the</strong> manor. Ano<strong>the</strong>r relic of <strong>the</strong> ancient manor of <strong>the</strong><br />
Washing<strong>to</strong>ns was a rookery in a venerable grove hard by. The rooks, those staunch adherents <strong>to</strong> old family<br />
abodes, still hovered and cawed about <strong>the</strong>ir hereditary nests. In <strong>the</strong> pavement of <strong>the</strong> parish church we were<br />
shown a s<strong>to</strong>ne slab, bearing effigies, on plates of brass, of Lawrence Washing<strong>to</strong>n, gent., and Anne his wife,<br />
and <strong>the</strong>ir four sons and eleven daughters. The inscription, in black letters, was dated 1564."<br />
A nephew of John and Lawrence Washing<strong>to</strong>n, Sir Henry Washing<strong>to</strong>n, distinguished himself in <strong>the</strong> civil wars,<br />
under Prince Rupert, at <strong>the</strong> s<strong>to</strong>rming of Bris<strong>to</strong>l, where he broke through <strong>the</strong> wall with a handful of infantry<br />
after <strong>the</strong> assailants had been beaten off, and led <strong>the</strong> forces <strong>to</strong> vic<strong>to</strong>ry. For his prowess he was promoted, and<br />
was in command at Worcester, when that place was s<strong>to</strong>rmed, at a time when <strong>the</strong> king fled from Oxford in<br />
disguise and <strong>the</strong> loyal cause was in peril. He received a letter from General Fairfax, whose vic<strong>to</strong>rious army<br />
was at Hadding<strong>to</strong>n, demanding <strong>the</strong> immediate surrender of Worcester. Colonel Washing<strong>to</strong>n replied:<br />
"SIR,--It is acknowledged by your books, and by report of your own quarter, that <strong>the</strong> king is in some of your<br />
armies. That granted, it may be easy for you <strong>to</strong> procure his majesty's commands for <strong>the</strong> disposal of this<br />
garrison. Till <strong>the</strong>n, I shall make good <strong>the</strong> trust reposed in me. As for conditions, if I shall be necessitated, I<br />
shall make <strong>the</strong> best I can. The worst I know, and fear not; if I had, <strong>the</strong> profession of a soldier had not been<br />
begun, nor so long continued by your Excellency's humble servant." HENRY WASHINGTON.<br />
For three months he withs<strong>to</strong>od <strong>the</strong> siege, experiencing hunger and hardship, until his Majesty ordered<br />
capitulation.<br />
Irving says of this heroic stand, "Those who believe in hereditary virtues may see foreshadowed in <strong>the</strong><br />
conduct of this Washing<strong>to</strong>n of Worcester, <strong>the</strong> magnanimous constancy of purpose, <strong>the</strong> disposition <strong>to</strong> 'hope<br />
against hope,' which bore our Washing<strong>to</strong>n triumphantly through <strong>the</strong> darkest days of our revolution."<br />
It appears that <strong>the</strong> Washing<strong>to</strong>ns were first in war as well as in peace, centuries ago. There was wealth, fame<br />
and influence in <strong>the</strong> family, from generation <strong>to</strong> generation. Their prominence in <strong>the</strong> grand hunt of those times<br />
proves <strong>the</strong>ir high social and public position.<br />
Irving<strong>to</strong>n says, "Hunting came next <strong>to</strong> war in those days, as <strong>the</strong> occupation of <strong>the</strong> nobility and gentry. The<br />
clergy engaged in it equally with <strong>the</strong> laity. The hunting establishment of <strong>the</strong> Bishop of Durham (who belonged<br />
<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Washing<strong>to</strong>n family) was on a princely scale. He had his forests, chases and parks, with <strong>the</strong>ir train of<br />
foresters, rangers and park-keepers. A grand hunt was a splendid pageant, in which all his barons and knights<br />
attended him with horse and hound."<br />
Later, <strong>the</strong> famous English fox-hunting, in which noblemen engaged with great pomp and expense, engaged<br />
<strong>the</strong> attention of <strong>the</strong> Washing<strong>to</strong>ns. We refer <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> fact here, because it will explain certain things connected<br />
with <strong>the</strong> life and times of our George Washing<strong>to</strong>n in Virginia.<br />
Everett says, "It may be mentioned as a somewhat striking fact, and one I believe not hi<strong>the</strong>r<strong>to</strong> adverted <strong>to</strong>, that<br />
<strong>the</strong> families of Washing<strong>to</strong>n and Franklin--<strong>the</strong> former <strong>the</strong> great leader of <strong>the</strong> American Revolution, <strong>the</strong> latter<br />
not second <strong>to</strong> any of his patriotic associates--were established for several generations in <strong>the</strong> same central