Betty Washington Lewis

Elizabeth "Betty" Washington Lewis (June 20, 1733 – March 31, 1797) was the only sister of George Washington to live to adulthood. She was the first daughter of Augustine Washington and Mary Ball Washington. She is considered a "founding mother" of America. [Harry Clinton Green and Mary Wolcott Green, "The Pioneer Mothers of America", pages 72 through 78 (1912: G.P. Putnam's sons), found at [http://books.google.com/books?id=7bAEAAAAIAAJ Google books] . Accessed February 19, 2008.]

She was born Elizabeth Washington in Westmoreland County, Virginia and married Fielding Lewis in 1750. Their children included Lawrence Lewis, who married Eleanor Parke Custis, a granddaughter of Martha Washington, and Robert Lewis. They built a house in Fredericksburg, Kenmore House, in 1752.

In later life, she stayed close with her mother. Eventually, after Fielding died, she moved in with her. She died in 1797 while visiting her daughter, Betty Lewis Carter, at the Western View Plantation in Culpeper, Virginia, and is buried there.

She and her husband are commemorated with street names in the nearby Ferry Farm subdivision (Fielding Circle and Betty Lewis Drive).

References

External links

* Pamela Gould, "George W., sister, have birthday tea, "The Free Lance-Star", February 18, 2008, found at [http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2008/022008/02182008/357088 Fredericksburg.com news site] . Accessed February 19, 2008.
* [http://photos.historical-markers.org/main.php?g2_itemId=4202 Historical marker]