{"id":85747,"date":"2022-07-14T09:55:09","date_gmt":"2022-07-14T13:55:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=85747"},"modified":"2022-08-05T09:38:11","modified_gmt":"2022-08-05T13:38:11","slug":"jamestown-descendants-whos-who-part-7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/jamestown-descendants-whos-who-part-7.html","title":{"rendered":"Jamestown Descendants: Who\u2019s Who, Part 7"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction:<\/em><\/strong> In this article, Melissa Davenport Berry continues her series on descendants of the Jamestown settlers, wrapping up her story of the French ancestor of George Washington. Melissa is a genealogist who has a blog, <\/em>AnceStory Archives<\/em><\/a>, and a Facebook group, <\/em>New England Family Genealogy and History<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Today I continue with my \u201cJamestown Descendants: Who\u2019s Who\u201d series, again focusing on the lineage of General George Washington \u2013 whose ancestors included English noblemen and one French Huguenot who came to Jamestown, Virginia.<\/p>\n

To recap from my last story: Washington\u2019s ancestor Captain Nicolas Marteau (note the spelling is generally accepted as Martiau), a military engineer and French Huguenot, came to Virginia in 1620.<\/p>\n

\"Illustration:<\/a>
Illustration: Nicolas Martiau. Courtesy of Philip Hamilton of Hamilton Historic Records<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Besides having an indomitable spirit, Martiau was the forerunner for expanding the Virginia frontier.<\/p>\n

He also had a rebellious side and feuded with Sir John Harvey, the royal governor of Jamestowne Colony.<\/p>\n

Harvey arrested Martiau for treason, but due to the governor\u2019s unpopularity a band of Virginians revolted. They made Harvey their prisoner. (See: Jamestown Descendants: Who\u2019s Who, Part 6<\/a>)<\/p>\n

The coup d\u2019\u00e9tat on Harvey led by Washington\u2019s French forefather was America\u2019s first rebellion. Martiau was now a noted leader. Harvey was sent back to England and an acting governor was appointed.<\/p>\n

Here is an account published in the Milwaukee Journal<\/em> in 1929, written by Frank and Cortelle Hutchins, noted Virginia historians whose ancestors were part of the Virginia Company.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Milwaukee Journal (Milwaukee, Wisconsin), 19 May 1929, page 83<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Their account reported that the king was not happy his royal governor was ousted:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe king would not brook the high-handed action of Virginia. Harvey should go back \u201cif but for a day!\u201d Before long, the hated knight [Harvey] came sailing up the James to be governor again. He started at once to even up scores with councilors who had \u201cthrust him out.\u201d The other leaders did not fare so badly. Wonder if a bit of sentiment did not intervene to spare Justice Martiau.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

However, the return of Harvey had its perks and a blessing, for he brought with him a young lad named George Reade, the gr. gr. gr. grandfather of George Washington.<\/p>\n

The Hutchins related the tale:<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was this way. Prominent in the train of the returning Harvey was a certain young George Reade, now living in great style at the governor\u2019s house. He was a man of distinguished family, a nephew of the king\u2019s secretary of state [Sir Francis Windebank], and destined for high place in colonial affairs.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Reade would become a burgess, a justice, and councilor. He won the affections of Martiau\u2019s daughter Elizabeth, who was at the time about 14 years old. The couple tied the knot in 1641 and made their plantation home where historic Williamsburg now stands.<\/p>\n

Their daughter, Mildred Reade, married Augustine Warner II. They are the gr. great grandparents of George Washington.<\/p>\n

Now back to Captain Nicolas Martiau:<\/p>\n

\u201cAs opportunity opened, Captain Martiau\u2019s adventurous spirit went leaping far beyond the York [River], far into the wilderness of the Potomac. In 1654 and 1655 he patented 4,000 acres of land on the south side of that stream. Here again, in a way, his life seemed reaching out to that great one the far future held.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy this time Virginia had divided herself, wild regions and all, into counties. Up there, vaguely defined along the Potomac, was Westmoreland County. And now Nicolas Martiau \u2013 a vast new world to choose from \u2013 chose lands in Westmoreland County, where, some far day, George Washington should be born!\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Also the lands where George Washington would lead another rebellion like his forefather\u2019s, a century and a half later!<\/p>\n

There is a Nicolas Martiau Descendant Association<\/a> if any of you readers have the family line. See also The National Society of\u00a0Washington Family Descendants, Inc.<\/a><\/p>\n

Lineage of General George Washington:<\/p>\n