George Washington: public Surveyor

By davidbunch

The cornice of the great Dining room at Kenmore House, stately home to George Washington’s sister, is embellished with seven motifs, including the egg and dart, familiar as the emblem on the Washington state coach. Even the stairs leading to the bedrooms at "Kenmore" have their place in the scheme of symbolism. At the end of each tread is carved a dainty lotus flower, whose meaning is soft sleep. Since stucco work was rare in colonial houses. "Kenmore" ceilings are of interest on that score and doubly so for Washington's share in their design. When Fielding Lewis bought the 860-acre property for his house he had the survey made by George Washington, "Public Surveyor." When the mansion was building the two brothers-in-law discussed fine points of architecture and interior adornment.

At "Kenmore"—or "Millbrook," as it was known in the Washingtons' day—Mistress Lewis dispensed lavish hospitality to her devoted brother and many famous colleagues. The stately old mansion knew George Washington as a soldier of several wars, as a young officer of the Virginia Militia, as Braddock's aide in the Ohio campaign, as defender of the Colony's wide frontier, as Commander-in-Chief of a Continental Army. It was to "Kenmore" that Washington spurred his horse after Yorktown. When Sister Lewis found him he had fallen asleep, muddy boots and all, on top of one of her fine counterpanes.

Colonel Fielding Lewis was a man of wealth when he married the only Washington daughter in 1750, but he was one of those who sacrificed all in the patriot cause. During the Revolution he was Commissioner for the manufacture of small arms in Fredericksburg, and, when the state funds ran out, provided money from his own pocket. At his own expense he fitted out three regiments, and, in addition, presented a ship, the Dragon, to the young Virginia Navy. When he died in 1782 he left a debt of seven thousand pounds, and to meet this his gracious home was sold some time later (1796). For a century and a quarter thereafter the historic house was in strangers' hands.

It was about to be sold for building lots in 1922 when patriotic Fredericksburg women, led by Mrs. Vivian Minor Fleming, saved it for the nation. During World War II the tradition for which "Kenmore" was famous in the long ago has been nobly carried on. Gingerbread, made from the Washington family recipe, has been served with tea to the boys who are shown through the house, and they have been given the freedom of the garden to rest or read or play croquet.

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