Why are we looking at a history blog instead of a travel blog? Well...it's George Washington...or should I say Uncle George....

This page is connected to my LinkedIn account and some people are wondering why they are looking at a history blog instead of a page focused on travel. Well let me answer that...and I promise to keep it short... I spent many years researching (and continue to do so) the only surviving sister of George Washington...an ancestor whose name was Betty Washington. She married a man by the name of Fielding Lewis. Their home still stands in Fredericksburg, Virgina, and is open as a museum for the public to visit. And given that we are celebrating America250... I must mention, she is not recognized by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution as a patriot! And she is not an ELIZABETH...the family Bible has her as Betty and she always signed her name as Betty. Got to love historians...and I KNOW I will ruffle just a few feathers by my statements but what else would keep you reading when I promised to be short... Rather than put a passion of mine aside...I decided that my focus would be travel that directly relates to the research I have explored on the Washington family. My first fun cruise taken after my joining Expedia Cruises was to the only island or country that George Washington visited...Barbados...to visit the George Washington house where he and his half-brother Lawrence spent time. In fact our tour guide who we hired for the day was miffed that we spent over an hour at the property when he wanted to show us HIS island...if you contact me...I will share his contact information...or better yet..book a vacation with me and I will make sure you are pampered! And yes I said we...I was joined by a favorite cousin who made the cruise all the more interesting and enjoyable...I have been told I could share some of the pictures from her visit to Texas before we went to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where I almost walked her to death...we were in Puerto Rico to embark on our Virgin Voyages ship.

It is my hope that at some point...I will actually publish what I have transcribed as colonial handwriting can be a bit difficult to read and the language a challenge to understand...just imagine those kids that now no longer learn cursive...I had the honor to be the first researcher in George Washington's Presidential Library. That was an amazing experience...I spent eight months driving the staff crazy with requests with letters that few had expressed an interest in over the years... So join me on this journey as I share travel tips from a different perspective that tell a different and personal side of the Washington family...we have a wonderful family association that descendants can join...so reach out to me and let me share the journey with you! #travelwithmonica #virginvoyages #barbados #georgewashington #bettywashingtonlewis #puertorico #america250 #expediacruises

Upcoming Lewis Family Reunion in Fredericksburg, Virginia

I am delighted to report that the National Society Lewis Family Descendants is in the planning stages of a reunion to take place in Fredericksburg, Virginia, during the dates August 29 through September 1, 2024. We have a block of rooms at the Courtyard by Marriott, Fredericksburg Historic District with a group rate available for a limited time. Fredericksburg is a charming historic community along the Rappahannock River with many preserved buildings from the colonial times that have Lewis and Washington connections! This weekend is an opportunity to connect with fellow family members who are interested in sharing the family heritage. There will of course be a visit to the childhood home of the Washington siblings (George, Betty, John Augustine, Samuel and Charles) and the home of Betty Washington and Fielding Lewis.

The Battle of the Alamo and its place within a larger Mexican civil war.

Fresh Start: The Curious Genealogist

With the restrictions of the pandemic, there has been time to research family history. So there have been a few benefits of being stuck at home. Hopefully, you have enjoyed your family history research as much as I have the past several months. 

Family caregiving kept me from regular postings and responding to comments over the past several years. I regret that I was not timely in responding to some of you! However, the upcoming months bring opportunities and much excitement as the ladies of the Daughters of the American Revolution will celebrate 100 years since efforts were taken to save the home of both Betty Washington and Fielding Lewis. And...I am able to get back to the research that keeps me time travelling!

It is my hope to have Betty Washington Lewis recognized for her patriotic service as the Daughters of the American Revolution currently do not recognize her contribution. In my years of research, I have enjoyed learning how much Betty Washington Lewis was able to accomplish as a women in colonial times!

There are many research institutions with collections that have made my research journey incredibly exciting...and the people who have provided access to the collections have been so helpful! I look forward to discovering a few more collections that have been on my "to do" list to see. I hope you will join me by sharing your experiences with genealogical research and family history.

George Washington After Recovering from Influenza Rides Around New York

    Two hundred and thirty years ago, George Washington took a ride in his carriage to let the people know he was recovering from the influenza.

    In May 1790, Washington collapsed with influenza and lingered near death for three days with pulmonary complications. His illness was reported in the Boston Gazette on 18 May 1790.

    An article in the Virginia Gazette & Alexandria Advertiser on 3 June 1790 stated "By accounts received last night from New York, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES is so far recovered as to ride out in his carriage."

    As President, George Washington was not long deterred from his duties. President Donald J. Trump appears to have this same determination! Wishing you a speedy recovery Mr. President!

Long Absence

To those of you have accessed this blog, you will note a long absence. I had family commitments that kept me from maintaining the page and continuing my research. I have used this page to determine the interest in the Washington and Lewis family history.

It is my hope to continue to share information and to respond to those of you who have posted and not heard from me.

There is much that has been researched and I continue to work toward publishing a book about Betty Washington Lewis.

Mary Ball Washington's Battle with Cancer

A current slogan of the American Cancer Society is I Can Fight Cancer. But the reality is some cannot. The aggressiveness of the disease and a person’s physical as well as mental ability to put up a fight is critical.

            With advances in medicine and technology, it is a wonder there is not a less invasive but compassionate way to provide relief.

            I also wonder how doctors during the colonial times were able to accurately identify that both George Washington and his mother Mary Ball Washington had cancer.

As early as 1781, Mary complained of health issues and expressed concern that she would not survive another journey from Fredericksburg to the Lewis and Washington farms over the mountains where their land bordered the Shenandoah River. Yet, she survived an additional eight years with her children involved in caring and providing for her.

Prior to his 1789 departure for New York to assume his duties as President, George made a trip to visit his mother and sister. Both women lived in Fredericksburg, Virginia, across the Rappahannock River from the Washington childhood home.

Mary’s home in the town of Fredericksburg was constructed on two lots her son had purchased in 1772. The prior year, George had surveyed the site of the childhood home and surrounding land in anticipation of selling the property he had inherited from his father’s estate. The move to the town lots allowed Mary to be closer to her daughter whose plantation home located two blocks away was completed in 1775 before the onset of the Revolutionary War. When Mary moved to Fredericksburg, her sons Samuel and Charles also lived in the vicinity.

Washington expressed in letters to his peers an understanding that he would not see his mother again…that his departure visit was truly farewell. Thus, it was George’s sister Betty who was the primary caregiver for their mother in her final months. Betty was assisted by her siblings who lived elsewhere. John Augustine lived a day’s ride from Fredericksburg at his home of Bushfield in Westmoreland County, while both Samuel and Charles had moved to the Shenandoah Valley also a day’s ride away.

Although Washington duties required him to be in New York, he remained involved in the activities at his home of Mount Vernon and in the lives of those closest to him. He maintained contact with his sister.

Letters between Betty and George provide evidence that hemlock was used to ease the pain of cancer. One of the surviving letters includes a request for George to obtain the hemlock in New York, as none could be found in Fredericksburg. Charles Urquhart, a family friend from Fredericksburg, had traveled to New York and it was hoped his presence would expedite the procurement of the hemlock needed to relieve Mary’s pain.

Yet on August 30^th Urquhart was still in New York and the hemlock remained undelivered. It was Betty’s son Robert who noted in his journal Urquhart’s attendance at church. Washington had employed his nephew who lived in the Presidential household. Robert received a salary of $300 per year for his service as a junior secretary to his uncle.

Departing Virginia after Washington, Robert served as escort to Martha Washington. They arrived in New York just after the inaugural festivities that occurred in April 1789. Also in traveling with them were Martha’s grandchildren, Eleanor Parke Custis and her brother George Washington Parke Custis.

Upon arriving in New York, Robert received a letter from his mother and sister noting his grandmother was exceedingly ill and not likely to recover.

            Mary died at age eighty-two on August 27^th 1789 after fifteen days of not talking and five days in a coma. Her death occurred five months after Washington’s inauguration. News of her death was conveyed to the Presidential household in a letter from a relative, Burgess Ball. The letter reached the President on September 1^st. It was on that day Urquhart departed New York for Fredericksburg carrying a letter written by Robert to his mother. The letter concerned his grandmother’s health and caused Robert to lament the time of his dispatch. Washington’s niece Betty Lewis in response to a request from her mother also conveyed news of her grandmother’s death.

            At a favorite resting place located beneath the trees overhanging Meditation Rock and within view of her daughter’s home, Mary was laid to rest on August 28^th.

Washington, in observance of his mother’s death, ordered black cockades and ribbons for the household staff. Government officials wore black crepe on their arms. The Presidential levees were cancelled for three weeks. Washington is noted to have worn the mourning badges for at least five months following the death of his mother. During this mourning period the family sealed their letters using black wax instead of red.

            On September 13^th, George wrote to Betty noting that at the advanced age of eighty-two their mother had full enjoyment of her mental faculties and as much bodily strength as usually falls to the lot of four score. George also directed his sister to seek the advice of attorney and friend James Mercer as because of the distance and circumstance he was unable to give the smallest attention to the execution of their mother’s will. Mary had prepared for her demise as her will was written on May 20^th 1788, more than a year prior to her death. Washington specifically requested his sister to oversee the details of the will, the remaining harvest, the resolution of debts and conducting a sell of personal property. He further requested his sister to inform him if tending to the business is too troublesome. Betty is also instructed to obtain the aid of her sons as well as son-in-law Charles Carter and Burgess Ball.