The National Society of the Washington Family Descendants

George Washington Had A Sister?

Not only did George Washington have a sister, he was the fifth child of Augustine Washington (born 1694 and died 12 April 1743). Augustine Washington’s first marriage to Jane Butler (born 24 December 1699 and died 24 November 1729) produced four children: 

            Butler Washington (born 1716 and died before 1739)

            Lawrence Washington (born 1718 and died 22 July 1752/3)

            Augustine Washington (born 1720 and died 1762)

            Jane Washington (born 1722 and died 17 January 1754/5)

Lawrence Washington as oldest surviving son inherited the property that he later name Mount Vernon. It was half-brother Lawrence Washington who mentored George Washington after the death of their father. George Washington was barely twelve years old when Mary Ball became a single parent of five. The bond between George Washington and his older half-brother resulted in George Washington inheriting Mount Vernon when Lawrence Washington’s widow died without heirs.

The second marriage of Augustine Washington to Mary Ball (born November 1708 and died 25 August 1789) after the death of his first wife produced six children. Thus, George Washington not only had a sister, Betty Washington, sixteen months his junior, but he had five additional siblings. Augustine Washington and Mary Ball were the parents of:

            George Washington (born 11 February 1731/2 and died 14 December 1799)

            Betty Washington (born 20 June 1733 and died 31 March 1797)

            Samuel Washington (born 16 November 1734 and died 26 September 1781)

            John Augustine Washington (born 13 January 1735/6 and died 17 February 1787)

            Charles Washington (born 2 May 1738 and died 16 September 1799)

            Mildred Washington (born 21 June 1739 and died 23 October 1740)

Although George Washington had no children of his own, those individuals who can trace their lineage to Washington family members are eligible to apply for membership in a family organization called The National Society of the Washington Family Descendants. The members gather once a year for fellowship and a weekend focused on activities to gain a better understanding of the family heritage.