"Young" GW wins seat to House of Burgessess
“On July 24, 1758, [a Monday] at the first Frederick County Court House on this site, Colonel George Washington, age 26, was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses. This was the first elective office of the young commander of Virginia’s forces here to guard her western frontier.”
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That inscription was placed here, because the original log courthouse where voters voted for GW existed right here, maybe to the back of center of this location of the 1840 Courthouse.
Photo by Jim Moyer. This plaque about George Washington winning his 2nd election is located to the left of the front doors of the 1840 Courthouse, now a Civil War museum.
This plaque is here because George Washington was elected right at this site.
He lost on first attempt.
The Plaque continues:
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Colonial election procedure
was quite different
from today’s secret ballot
at a convenient polling place.
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On election day, Sheriff, Justices, Candidates and voters gather at the County Court House here.
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As each eligible voter’s name was called,
he stepped forward
and vocally proclaimed his choice.
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Clerks recorded the vote and the candidate bowed in appreciation of the voter’s support.
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At the July 1758 election young Col. Washington could not be present because he was commanding Virginia’s troops then poised for attack upon Fort Duquesne.
His campaign Manager, Col. James Wood, stood in his place.
In May 1761, Col. Washington was elected to a second term as Burgess from Frederick County. In 1789 he was elected President of the United States.
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Thus, George Washington’s political, as well as his military career began here on Virginia’s western frontier during the ten years in which his activities centered about old Frederick County in the Colony of Virginia.
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You can see this plaque in this picture of the courthouse.
The plaque sits to the right of the right most column, almost eclipsed y 2nd column.
Young
That plaque mentions the word twice.
But we’ve seen the WWII movies where someone is called “Pops.”
And that guy called Pops was really only in his 20s.
And our historian, Norman Baker, since passed away, mentions this.
And he knew.
He was on Iwo Jima.
Anyone who was a year or two in war, or
who had been in real battle once or twice
got the veteran tag, the “look”, the knowledge …
So too was George Washington a veteran.
Having seen how things can really, really go wrong
on a long journey to & back (Journey to Fort LeBeouf)
or in victory (the Battle of Jumonville)
or in defeat (Fort Necessity July 3, 1754)
or in major horror ( Braddock’s Defeat July 9, 1755),
you saw “experience” in a man, a tall leader, a veteran.
Come join us in reenacting Colonel George Washington's first political office win.
See date and times and place on this poster.
Authored, compiled by Jim Moyer 7/17/2022
That's it.
That's our lead story.
There's More.
There's always More.
Skip around.
Read bits and pieces.
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THIS ELECTION WAS HELD ON THIS SITE
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From a Map Poster by Wilbur S Johnston.
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The Square Building in the Center is the old Courthouse, just a little off center from the exact location of the 1840 Courthouse standing today as a Civil War Museum.
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Followup needed:
Put note that this drawing was drawn by someone else in the 1930s. Wilbur Johnston used it in one of his posters on Winchester history.
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THE CANDIDATES
Colonel George Washington……………….310
Colonel Thomas Bryan Martin …………….240
Hugh West……………………………………..199
Thomas Swearingen…………………………..45
Total vote …………………………………….794
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The two incumbents, Hugh West and Thomas Swearingen lost.
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TWO SEATS FOR EACH COUNTY
The top two vote leaders win the 2 seats to the House of Burgesses.
Each county would get two seats.
This was still under England and Colonial Virginia law.
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ONE MAN ONE VOTE
Much later the principle of One Man One Vote in the US Supreme Court case Reynolds v. Sims (1964) ruled that counties no longer provided equal representation since their population sizes were different.
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Map of the original old Frederick County in 1738. The Green boundary shows Frederick County in 1754, four years before the 1758 election. Click or Touch to Enlarge.
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Some of those 794 voters rode a horse for some distance.
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Hampshire Co was the first split, before this 1758 election.
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Hampshire County was created May 1, 1754. See its first representatives to House of Burgessess: Gabriel Jones and Parker.
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The original Hampshire County originally included counties, Hardy, Grant, Mineral, and part of Morgan.
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Sam Lehman designed this map, for the book, The Story of Frederick County, published 1988, the 250th Anniversary of Frederick Co, VA.
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VOTING OUT LOUD
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There was NO secret ballot.
You the voter said OUT LOUD
your preference
in front of the candidates,
and for all the other voters to hear!
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Gentlemen Freeholders: Political Practices in Washington’s Virginia, Charles S. Sydnor wrote:
As each freeholder came before the sheriff, his name was called out in a loud voice, and the sheriff inquired how he would vote. The freeholder replied by giving the name of his preference. The appropriate clerk then wrote down the voter’s name, the sheriff announced it as enrolled, and often the candidate for whom he had voted arose, bowed, and publicly thanked him.
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See also this link, restating the above on Page 511 in Cartmell’s book :
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Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants A History of Frederick County, Virginia ( ILLUSTRATED ) From its Formation in 1738 to 1908 Compiled Mainly from Original Records of Old Frederick County, now Hampshire, Berkeley, Shenandoah, Jefferson, Hardy, Clarke, Warren, Morgan and Frederick T. K. Cartmell Clerk of the Old County Court MAR 24 1914 COPYRIGHT 1909 By T. K. CARTMELL printed BY THE Eddy Press Corporation Winchester, VA.
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So voting out loud could have been a proud event for these brave men. For lesser souls, maybe there was some peer pressure or other perceived threats if they voted for the wrong person, or a benefit of a favor if they voted the right way.
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And as mentioned earlier, George Washington liked to get his voters first in line, even to the point of asking the Sheriff who officiates at this election to help his voters be first in line.
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GW’S EARLY ELECTION HISTORY
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Washington lost the
then won the elections of
to represent Frederick County VA.
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In 1765, a House of Burgesses position became open in Fairfax County, enabling GW to represent his hometown area instead of Frederick County.
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3 Big CAMPAIGN HELPERS
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GABRIEL JONES
Gabriel Jones, “the Valley Lawyer,” was another influential supporter of George Washington.
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Gabriel Jones was so enthusiastic for Colonel George, he left his own election to help George Washington’s campaign:
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I shall give up mine, in order to be at your’s, where if possible I hope you’l be.
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Source:
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“…in short affairs are totally changed
& may be many times
so yet before the day,
your being elected
absolutely depends
on your presence that day.
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[ Ed Note: But GW decides he must stay at Fort Cumberland to work on the Forbes Expedition matters. ]
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this is the Opinion of every thinking friend,
& therefore must
In the most pressing manner desire it.
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[ From Founders Online Footnote: 8. John Kirkpatrick on 6 July, James Wood on 7 July, and James Glen on 19 July also urged GW to go to Winchester. On 19 July Bouquet gave him permission to go, but GW decided to remain at Fort Cumberland. For GW’s decision not to attend the polling in Winchester, see GW to Bouquet, 21 July, n.1. But see also Adam Stephen to GW, 19 July 1758. ]
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it happened very unluckily
that the writs was so long delayed
as it was the Case in Augusta,
so that both Election’s will interfere.
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however as I have undertaken
to serve you
no Consideration shall deter me from it.
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I shall give up mine, in order to be at your’s, where if possible I hope you’l be.”
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This picture of the colorful and profane Gabriel Jones did hang high in the Winchester Frederick County Courthouse before some recent painting of this year 2018, and the sheriff deputies do not know if the painting will return to this spot.
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Charles Smith who was he?
1. He was with George Washington at the Battle of Fort Necessity.
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2. Supervised work at Fort Loudoun.
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3. handled disbursements to the “miner” of the well which lasts to this day.
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4. 1758 election campaign manager for GW, buying alcohol for the voters.
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5. The Punch that Killed. Charles Smith punched a man in a tavern in some dispute and the man died a half an hour later. Charles Smith turned himself in and was exonerated.
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6. The Nook still stands at 106 E Main Street, Berryville VA.
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Earlier in the 18th century the area was the site of an 800-acre estate of the same name owned by Charles Smith, The Battletown estate’s main residence, known today as the Nook, was built between 1755 and 1765 and still survives at 106 E. Main Street.
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When Charles Smith died, he left the parcel to his wife, and eventually it was divided among their four children, Charles, John, Elizabeth Morton, and Sarah Easten. John sold a portion of his land to Benjamin Berry, the town of Berryville’s founder.
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We save the most important campaigner for last.
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See below for the famous picture of James Wood representing George Washington.
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Even Washington Irving, the author of Sleepy Hollow, knew about James Wood
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FAMOUS PICTURE OF JAMES WOOD
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James Wood representing Colonel George Washington is held high in the chair celebrating Washington’s win . . . . Click on picture to enlarge.
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Colonel George Washington was at Fort Cumberland Maryland when this election occurred.
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James Wood stood in for him.
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Candidates would sit at the same table when the voters would come up to vote.
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Then the candidate, if chosen out loud by that voter, would stand to bow or shake that voter’s hand.
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At the July, 1758, election young Col. Washington, after receiving Col Bouquet’s blessing to leave his post for this election, chose not to leave his command of Virginia’s troops in the Forbes Expedition.
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His campaign manager, Col. James Wood, stood in his place at the voting table.
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And James Wood, founder of Winchester VA, was illustrated here triumphantly carried on the shoulders of jubilant voters.
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ORGIN OF PICTURE
In a biography by Washington Irving, famous for the Sleepy Hollow story, there is an illustration printed Graham’s Magazine of James Wood (representing George Washington who was in the Forbes Expedition) being carried on the chair in celebration of GW’s victory.
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According to the Handley Library Archives
which cites Katherine R Glass Greene
in her book,
that you can find the picture on
page 95, published 1926
in Graham’s Magazine in 1853 .
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But ! The picture is not there!
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The illustration is instead to be found in April 1854 Graham’s Magazine.
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Clicking on this link will take you straight to Page 360 of Graham’s Magazine April 1854.
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ALCOHOL
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Footnote from Founders Online shows the expenses listed by Charles Smith, his campaign treasurer, keeping an accounting of the alcohol purchases:
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“…where it is printed, Smith paid out a total of £39.6 to five vendors for 46¾ gallons of beer, 40 gallons, 1 hogshead, 1 barrel, and 10 bowls of rum punch, nearly 35 gallons of wine, 2 gallons of cider, and 3½ pints of brandy, as well as dinner for his “friends.”
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Law passed after this election reducing the abuse of alcohol provided at elections.
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In that same 1762 law, Volume IV, Chapter I, Page 526, “That no person hereafter to be elected a member of the general assembly … give, present or allow, to any person or perons, having voice or vote in such elections, any money, meat, drink, entertainment or provision, or make any present, gift, reward or entertainment, or any promise, agreement, obligation or engagement, to or for any person or persons …”
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GETTING VOTERS FIRST IN LINE
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See 1761 letter to Sheriff, asking for help in orchestrating his voters to front of line and not do it so obviously as to bring complaints.
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Also see list of voters in 1758 election showing that GW has the first 13 voters at front of line, just like he accomplished in the 1761 election when asking the Sheriff to help him.
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If voters hear who is voting for who ahead of them in line, they might spot a trend for the winner and join the bandwagon for their own good.
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WHO IS THE TOP DOG?
AND
WHO IS HE VOTING FOR?
Lord Fairfax, is the Top Dog.
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He is owner of all the land, almost as large as New Jersey. He is owner of the Northern Neck Proprietary, and is the County Lieutenant of Frederick Co.
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Lord Fairfax is first in line to vote for his nephew, Thomas Bryan Martin.
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Lord Fairfax was with the first 13 voters who voted for George Washington.
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Important to establish a winning trend for all to hear.
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In the next election of 1761 GW asks the new sheriff to help get his voters first in line.
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THE PLAQUE, VOTE TOTALS, LINKS
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Where the plaque sits on the 1840 Courthouse wall.
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Qualifications to Vote
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Below is the 1761 law. We will be posting the law before this 1758 election.
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But in the meantime, look at this 1761 law, clarifying who can vote and who cannot.
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Accusations in the 1761 election appeared to be about letting White non-land owners vote.
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And those landowners must be White Males over 21 with property.
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RESTRICTING ALCOHOL, GIFTS
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These are 1761 laws. Will be posting the law before this 1758 election.
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We do know the previous 1758 election here and most likely elsewhere caused the House of Burgesses to pass a law restricting the use of alcohol and favors.
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In that same 1762 law, Volume IV, Chapter I, Page 526, XIX, “That no person hereafter to be elected a member of the general assembly … give, present or allow, to any person or perons, having voice or vote in such elections, any money, meat, drink, entertainment or provision, or make any present, gift, reward or entertainment, or any promise, agreement, obligation or engagement, to or for any person or persons …”
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ABOUT SOME OF THE VOTERS
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Heading the list of the first thirteen voters,
all of whom voted for GW,
were the proprietor
of the Northern Neck (Lord Fairfax),
the rector of Frederick Parish
(William Meldrum),
and the founder and leading citizen
of Winchester (James Wood)
who was sitting in for GW
at the table where the freeholders
came to announce their choices
for the two men to represent
the county in Williamsburg.
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The next five men to vote were merchants,
from Alexandria (John Carlyle),
from Falmouth on the Rappahannock
(Adam Hunter and Alexander Wodrow),
and from Fredericksburg
(Fielding Lewis and Charles Dick),
all of whom were in Winchester
to lend their support
in the election to GW and,
except for Wodrow, to Martin as well.
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Four of the next five freeholders to vote,
all from Frederick County,
included a former Burgess (Isaac Perkins),
two men from large
and prominent frontier families
(Robert Ashby and Alexander Vance)
whom GW had known
at least since his days as a surveyor
in the county in 1750–51,
and a former lieutenant
of a ranging company under GW (Thomas Lemen).
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The other man among
the first thirteen voters
was GW’s regimental surgeon (James Craik),
who had come down from Fort Cumberland
to give his support.
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Of the other prominent men
who came to Frederick County
to promote GW’s candidacy,
two (George William Fairfax and Gabriel Jones)
voted later in the day.
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July 27, 2019 Saturday
will be the 2nd Annual Re-enactment of Colonel George Washington’s first election win.
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Vote for George Washington.
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George was 26 when he won this one.
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We’re looking for the Young Vote.
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George Washington began his political career here representing this area in the House of Burgesses while we flew the Union Jack.
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LAST YEAR’S EVENT
WAS THE FIRST EVER
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July 22, 2018, Sunday Afternoon, 1pm to 3pm, 299 votes cast
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WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY?
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What?
We are re-staging the first election win of George Washington.
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When?
This event will be 1pm to 330pm, Sunday, 22 July 2018 to commemorate that win which really occurred
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The place?
The front lawn of the 1840 Courthouse
now known as the Civil War Museum,
on the Loudoun Street walking Mall
in Winchester VA.
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This Exact Place? Why?
This is exactly where George Washington
won his first elective office
in 1758
for the House of Burgesses of Virginia,
under King George II
who ruled Great Britain, Ireland,
and
and as elector in the Holy Roman Empire.
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What to Expect?
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David Downes of Virginia Beer Museum created this photo for quick glance at who is playing which candidate. Click or touch to Enlarge photo.
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You will see 4 people sitting at a table.
They are the 4 candidates.
The High Sheriff of Frederick County stands behind.
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The public is invited to form a line to vote.
Each voter must SAY OUT LOUD
the top 2 candidates they want.
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The candidates who were picked
will stand up
and either bow to the voter
or shake the voter’s hand.
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The Voter will be handed a piece
of paper the voter will present
to the VA Beer Museum.
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All voters, regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age are welcome.
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This list is not meant to exclude any category not listed.
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Cast of Characters sporting Name Tags:
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David Downes of Virginia Beer Museum created this photo Click or touch picture to enlarge.
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Founder of Winchester, Campaign Mgr for Col George Washington
by Steve Resan, VP of French and Indian War Foundation
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Colonel George Washington,
head of 1st VA Regiment in Forbes Expedition at Fort Cumberland
by Mayor of Middletown Charles Harbaugh IV
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Winning Candidate, along with Colonel George Washington
Martin’s uncle is Lord Fairfax,
20 years later Martinsburg is named after Martin
Timothy Youmans, Winchester City Planning Director
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incumbent candidate loses, tobacco warehouse
by Evan Clark, Winchester City Council
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incumbent candidate loses, brother is the next High Sheriff
by Winchester City Sheriff, Les Taylor
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Proprietor of Northern neck, first in line to vote
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John Hardin, High Sheriff of Frederick County,
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GW’s campaign treasurer who buys all the alcohol
by Eric Bartock, Virginia Regiment reenactor
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“the Valley Lawyer”, high profile campaigner for GW
by Georgia Andrew Rossiter, lawyer
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2nd VA Regiment under Colonel Byrd, in Forbes Expedition, at Fort Cumberland
by Tony Elar Jr, Board of Directors, French and Indian War Foundation,
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Owner of Cocke’s Tavern
where GW paid a years’ rent from 1755 to 1756
across from today’s Thai Winchester Restaurant
by Phil Hunter. has represented Cocke’s Tavern owner for years
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owns property known as George Washington Office Museum, sold to city in 1908
by the Car Doctor of Amherst Street Winchester VA.
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Virginia Beer Museum
David Downes,
founder of Virginia Beer Museum
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Devon Downes
Corporal, United States Marine Corp, Active Duty
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Jim Moyer
Event Organizer,
French and Indian War Foundation
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See More on Who is Who:
Behind the long table
will be:
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Click or Touch to Enlarge Picture.
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The High Sheriff, John Hardin, to be played by Frederick Co Sheriff , Lenny Millholland
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And our Eric Bartock of the Virginia Regiment will be holding the Red Ensign of the British Empire.
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The 4 Candidates
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Mayor of Middletown Charles Harbaugh IV will be portraying Colonel George Washington who was at Fort Cumberland helping build Road and provide supplies for the Forbes Expedition during this election.
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Colonel George Washington……………….310
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Colonel Thomas Bryan Martin ………………………240
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Hugh West…………………199
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Thomas Swearingen………45
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Total vote ………………..794
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The two incumbents, Hugh West and Thomas Swearingen lost.
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About James Wood
standing in for
George Washington:
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Steve Resan as James Wood, Clerk of Court, Founder of Winchester VA, standing in for Colonel George Washington who was at Fort Cumberland building Road and providing Supplies for the Forbes Expedition. Click or Touch to Enlarge Picture.
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James Wood stood in for GW because GW was in Fort Cumberland.
James Wood will by represented by Steve Resan, VP on the Board of Directors of the French and Indian War Foundation.
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He will be sitting at the table with the other 3 candidates.
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Colonel George Washington will be represented by Mayor of Middletown Charles Harbaugh IV.
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He will be sitting in the area nearby designated as Fort Cumberland, MD, which is where GW was building Road and providing supplies for the Forbes Expedition.
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The 3 representing the candidates below will be announced soon.
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is an incumbent candidate who loses …. 45 votes .
is the brother of Van Swearingen
who becomes the next High Sheriff
of Frederick County.
Thomas Swearingen
was one of the two lieutenants
in Capt. Robert Rutherford’s
company of rangers.
Les Taylor, Sheriff of the City of Winchester takes on this role !!
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Colonel Thomas Bryan Martin ,
wins seat on House of Burgesses
along with Colonel George Washington
win with ……….240 votes … …
Winchester City Planning Director
will be representing this candidate.
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Side note:
Thomas Bryan Martin’s uncle is Lord Fairfax.
Also 20 years later,
Adam Stephen, after being court martialed
out of the Continental Army
after the Battle of Germantown,
created Martinsburg,
naming it for Thomas Bryan Martin,
a passive Tory.
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incumbent candidate who loses………199 votes …
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The site of Hugh West’s tobacco warehouse,
on the western banks of the Potomac
near the mouth of (Great) Hunting Creek,
was deemed a suitable location
because its deep water access
allowed ships from London to sail directly to the wharf.
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This Great Hunting Creek led to a town.
In May 1749, Governor William Gooch
signed an Act to establish
the town of Alexandria,
also known as Belhaven.
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to be represented Evan Clark, Winchester City Council
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Near this table will be George Washington’s Campaigners:
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He is treasurer who paid for all the alcohol.
The year before,
Lt Charles Smith killed a man with one punch.
He was exonerated. See story.
He was personal accountant
to George Washington’s
private financial matters as well.
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Eric Bartock, Virginia Regiment reenactor, will fill this role.
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Gabriel Jones. Click or Touch to Enlarge Picture.
the Valley Lawyer,
profane with a patch over one eye,
who was so enthusiastic for
Colonel George Washington,
he left his own election
to help George Washington’s campaign —
to be played by Georgia Andrew Rossiter ?
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Gabriel Jones wrote,
I shall give up mine, in order to be at your’s, where if possible I hope you’l be.
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Source:
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Near the VA Beer Museum table
will be the servers
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William Cocke’s Tavern innkeeper
where our George Washington paid a years’ rent from 1755 to 1756 across from today’s Thai Winchester Restaurant to be played by Phil Hunter.
Lord Fairfax, is the Top Dog.
WHO IS THE TOP DOG?
AND
WHO IS HE VOTING FOR?
He is owner of all the land, almost as large as New Jersey. He is owner of the Northern Neck Proprietary, and is the County Lieutenant of Frederick Co.
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Lord Fairfax is first in line to vote for his nephew, Thomas Bryan Martin.
Lord Fairfax , age 65, will be there.
We have won over the Liberty Man !!!
Larry W Johnson, who is well known as the Liberty Man, will momentarily step out of character to represent Lord Fairfax. See more about Larry W Johnson on this link !!!
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Lord Fairfax is Uncle to one of the candidates who won with George – Thomas Bryan Martin. Uncle Lord Fairfax is first in line to vote for his nephew and is first of 13 voters who all voted for George to set a trend line.
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Lord Fairfax was with the first 13 voters who voted for George Washington.
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Important to establish a winning trend for all to hear.
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In the next election of 1761 GW asks the new sheriff to help get his voters first in line.
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Since each voter said his vote out loud so too will we announce out loud YOUR VOTE for all to hear.
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Further away from the table of candidates
will be those
too busy to attend the election
who were at Fort Cumberland
chopping trees, building road for the Forbes Expedition:
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Tony Elar Jr who will be portraying Lt Colonel George Mercer, is on the right background. Click or Touch to Enlarge Picture.
The Virginia Regiment soldiers will be there.
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Colonel George Washington to be played by Mayor of Middletown, Charles Harbaugh IV
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Lt Colonel George Mercer to be played by Tony Elar Jr.
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Friendly Fire
As an aside, that George Mercer and George Washington?
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They’re in a Friendly Fire horror in November 1758 after this July 1758 election. The 2 then run together and win in a 1761 election for the House of Burgesses.
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And one other character.
GW Kurtz.
GW ? Stands for George Washington.
He was a Confederate Captain, well known by Winchester, who was too sick to attend the 1915 dedication of the Braddock Cannon on his corner property of Cork and Braddock. You know this place as the George Washington Office Museum. The city bought his property in 1908.
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The Car Doctor on Amherst Street will represent Captain Kurtz.
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The sessions dates of 1758-1761
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Excerpt from link:
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“OF the General Assembly of Virginia of 1758-1761 there were seven sessions.
. The first session continued from September 14, 1758, to the 12th of October of the same year;
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the second session, from the 9th to the 11th of November, 1758;
. the third, from the 22nd of February, 1759, to the 14th of April;
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the fourth, from the first to the 21st of November, 1759;
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the fifth, from the 4th to the 11th of March, 1760;
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the sixth, from the 19th to the 24th of May, 1760;
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the seventh, from the 6th of October, 1760, to the 10th of April, 1761.”
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Excerpt from link:
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Journal, 1758, September Session Journal, 1758, November Session Journal, 1759, February Session Journal, 1759, November Session Journal, 1760, March Session . Journal, 1760, May Session Journal, 1760-1761, October-March Sessions
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[Our note: 18 May 1761 was the election of the next term of House of Burgesses]
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Source for the session dates listed above:
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1758-1761:
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List of all of the years:
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Some Links:
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New River Note website
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Ctrl F to find Hugh West
Promissory note, 10 November 1753, from Reuben Rutherford to Hugh West.
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Ctrl F to find Hugh West
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Ctrl to find Hugh West and his tobacco:
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Link above provides this info on Hugh West:
The site of Hugh West’s tobacco warehouse, on the western banks of the Potomac near the mouth of (Great) Hunting Creek, was deemed a suitable location because its deep water access allowed ships from London to sail directly to the wharf. However, the local tobacco planters were desirous of siting a new town away from the river (and its “played out” tobacco fields) and further upstream on Hunting Creek. During the legislative session of 1748-49, Lawrence was responsible for promoting the river site and securing the votes necessary to approve a new town on the Potomac, where it would best serve the interests of the Ohio Company. In May 1749, Governor William Gooch signed an Act to establish the town of Alexandria, and Lawrence was granted permission to “be absent from the Service of the House, for the Recovery of his Health.” Prior to the first public auction of town lots, in July 1749, Lawrence sailed to London to conduct business on behalf of the Ohio Company, and to consult English physicians regarding his health. His younger brother George, an aspiring land surveyor, attended the “Public Vendue” (auction) and copied the town map, “A Plan of Alexandria, Now Belhaven”, and listed the selling prices of individual lots for his brother. Although established as “Alexandria”, the town was immediately called “Belhaven” – in honor of Scottish patriot John Hamiliton, 2nd Lord Belhaven. In 1751, the town council held the “Belhaven Lottery” to raise money for a city hall, and George Washington’s correspondence throughout the French and Indian War of the late 1750s referred to “Belhaven”.
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Founders Online Footnotes and Links
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1. GW’s letter has not been found. In the burgess election held at Winchester on 18 May 601 freeholders voted. GW received the support of 505, George Mercer 400, and Adam Stephen 294. GW’s copy of the poll sheet is in DLC:GW.
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For references to the pattern of voting, see GW to Van Swearingen, 15 May 1761.
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See also the poll sheet for the burgess election in Frederick County, 24 July 1758, printed as an enclosure to Charles Smith, 26 July 1758.
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For GW’s election expenses, see his Cash Accounts, 1761.
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For GW’s illness contracted while electioneering, see GW to Andrew Burnaby, 27 July 1761, n.7.
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2. Adam Stephen, who was in command of the Virginia Regiment at Winchester, remained behind for the election when Stewart marched toward Staunton with a part of the regiment on about 3 May. See the source note in Stewart to GW, c.6 May 1761. Presumably the adjutant of the regiment, William Hughes, was a political supporter of Stephen and Stephen had ordered him to return to Winchester so that he could give his suffrage for Stephen. Hughes became adjutant of the Virginia Regiment on 22 June 1757 and was a lieutenant in the regiment when it was disbanded at the end of 1762. Stephen’s summons seems to have come too late, for Hughes’s name does not appear on the poll sheet.
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Source of above
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Some extra notes
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He will be represented by Devon Downes, United States Marine Corp, Corporal (Active Duty)
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