A Deeper Dive into Betty Washington

Betty Washington (1733–1797) was the first and only daughter to live to adulthood of

Augustine and Mary Ball Washington, and the younger Sister of President George

Washington, who was born in 1732. Betty and George grew up at Ferry Farm, across

the Rappahannock River from Fredericksburg, Virginia.

George Washington Parke Custis, grandson of Martha Washington from her first

marriage, described Betty as… a majestic-looking woman, and so strikingly like the brother [George Washington], that it was a matter of frolic to throw a cloak around her, and placing a military hat on her head, such was her amazing resemblance, that on her appearance, battalions would have presented arms and senates rise to do homage to the chief…

She was born Elizabeth Washington on June 20, 1733, at Little Hunting Creek (later

named Mt. Vernon) in northern Virginia. In addition to George, Betty had three younger

brothers: Samuel, John Augustine and Charles and two half-brothers by her father’s first

marriage, Lawrence and Augustine Jr.

When Betty was five years old, Augustine Washington moved his family to the 600-acre

Ferry Farm near Fredericksburg, for community life and the educational advantages it

offered. This was one of several farms owned by her parents. Her mother had brought

several properties to the marriage as her dowry.

Here the Washington children grew up and received their education – Betty at a “Dame

School” and George under the tutelage of Parson Marye. Betty and George were

especially close because of their nearness of age and their similarity in personality and

character.

After her father’s death in 1743, life became difficult for Betty and the family because of

their financial situation. In 1754, her brother George moved to Mount on while their

mother, Mary Ball Washington, stayed on at the farm until 1772, when she moved to

Fredericksburg to be closer to Betty.

In 1750, at age 16, Betty married Fielding Lewis, a wealthy and prominent businessman

in the nearby village of Fredericksburg. Her wealth and social status increased, and she

immediately became stepmother to two young children from Fielding’s first marriage.