1. Lewis William Washington was a great-grandnephew of President George Washington.
10 Facts About Lewis Washington
2.
Lewis Washington is most remembered today for his involuntary participation in John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia, in 1859.
3.
Lewis Washington was taken as hostage and some of his slaves were briefly freed.
4.
Lewis Washington made his home at Beall-Air from 1840 until his death in 1871.
5.
Lewis William Washington inherited several relics of George Washington, including a sword allegedly given by Frederick the Great to Washington and a pair of pistols given by Lafayette.
6.
John Cook, who served as John Brown's advance party at Harpers Ferry, befriended Washington and noted the relics, as well as the slave population at Beall-Air.
7.
All survived their captivity, and Lewis Washington identified Brown to the Marine rescue party.
8.
Lewis Washington married twice, first to Mary Ann Barroll and then to Ella Bassett.
9.
Lewis Washington was survived by two sons and two daughters, James Barroll Washington, who served in the Confederate army, Mary Ann Washington, Eliza Ridgeley Washington, and William De Hertbrun Washington.
10.
William De Hertbrun Lewis Washington died without issue on August 30,1914.