George Washington Lewis - Fredericksburg VA
N 38° 17.631 W 077° 28.162
18S E 284048 N 4241303
George Lewis served under his uncle, General George Washington, during the Revolutionary War and helped with secretarial, courier, and escort duties.
Waymark Code: WM6VB6
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 07/22/2009
Views: 6
George Lewis was born at Kenmore Plantation in Fredericksburg VA on March 14th, 1757. He attended Princeton.
When the Revolutionary War broke out and George Washington left for Boston to take command of the army as the newly-appointed Commander-In-Chief, his nephew, George Lewis escorted Martha Washington to Cambridge MA to winter with her husband. Although there are no documents detailing the escort, it appears Lewis formed a troop of cavalry from his neighbors.
Lewis was anxious to obtain a commission from his uncle. In March 1776, General Washington rewarded him by granting that wish by creating the Commander-In-Chief Guard. He appointed Captain Caleb Gibbs commandant and George Lewis First Lieutenant as second in command.
On Christmas 1776, George Lewis was part of the cavalry that screened Washington's surprise and highly successful attack against Hessian troops when the General and his troops re-crossed the Delaware River.
In Princeton after a costly American victory, General Hugh Mercer, who had been the family doctor to both the General's mother and the Lewis family, was taken prisoner, but was mortally wounded. Washington sent Lewis, under a flag of truce, to escort Doctor Benjamin Rush to attend him. Mercer died in the arms of Lewis.
In January 1777, Washington told Lieutenant Colonel George Baylor to raise a Troop of Light Dragoons, to be designated the Third Regiment of Dragoons. Lewis was promoted to captain and his cavalry troop assigned to Col. Baylor. The Third Dragoons fought with the Continental Army during the Philadelphia Campaign and the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse, the last major battle in the North.
George married Catherine, the daughter of Colonel William Daingerfield, on October 15th, 1779. They had 4 children. George eventually moved his family to Marmion in King George County, VA where he died on November 13, 1821.
For additional information on George Lewis' life, visit the Revolutionary War Archives account
.
The graves of George Washington Lewis and his wife, Catherine Daingerfield, are in the Willis Hill Cemetery, on the grounds of Maryes Heights, part of the Battle of Fredericksburg of the Civil War. The inscription reads:
GEORGE
WASHINGTON
LEWIS
VIRGINIA
CAPTAIN 3 REGT
LT DRAGOONS
REV WAR
MARCH 13 1757
NOVEMBER 13 1821
It is also designated with a SAR Patriot marker.
Visit Instructions:PLEASE NOTE: This category is for American Revolutionary War Veterans only. Veterans of other revolutions are not part of this category.
I have allowed one entry for a grave of British solders, but it was an exception. Please only list graves for Colonial soldiers.
Simply visit the locations. Please provide as much information as possible. Pictures would be a great addition.