Lawrence Washington (1718–1752)
Lawrence Washington (1718 – July 26, 1752) was an American soldier, planter, politician, and prominent landowner in colonial Virginia. As a founding member of the Ohio Company of Virginia, and a member of the colonial legislature representing Fairfax County, he also founded the town of Alexandria, Virginia on the banks of the Potomac River in 1749.
Lawrence Washington | |
|---|---|
Washington c. 1742 | |
| Member of the House of Burgesses | |
| In office 1744–1752 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1718 Virginia Colony |
| Died | July 26, 1752 (aged 33–34) Mount Vernon, Virginia Colony |
| Cause of death | Tuberculosis |
| Spouse | Anne Fairfax (1743–1752; his death) |
| Children | 4 |
| Parent(s) | Augustine Washington Jane Butler |
| Occupation | Planter, soldier, politician |
Washington was the older half-brother of George Washington, the future President of the United States. He was the first of the family to live in the house known as Mount Vernon, which he named after British Admiral Edward Vernon, his commanding officer in the War of Jenkins' Ear. Washington became ill with tuberculosis. He and George travelled to Barbados, hoping that the warm climate would alleviate his ill health. This failed, and Lawrence died at Mount Vernon the following year.