Review “At long last the Washingtons have a published history worthy of their place in history. Glenn has done a masterful job. . . . I am convinced that this work will be of wide interest to historians and academics as well as members of the Washington family itself. Although the surname Washington is perhaps the best known in American history and much has been written about the Washington family for well over a century, it is surprising that no comprehensive family history has been published. Justin M. Glenn’s The Washingtons: A Family History finally fills this void for the branch to which General and President George Washington belonged, identifying some 63,000 descendants. This is truly a family history, not a mere tabulation of names and dates, providing biographical accounts of many of the descendants of John Washington who settled in Westmoreland County, Virginia, in 1657.” (John Frederick Dorman, editor of The Virginia Genealogist (1957-2006) and author of Adventurers of Purse and Person)“Decades of reviewing Civil War books have left me surprised and delighted when someone applies exhaustive diligence to a topic not readily accessible. Dr. Glenn surely meets that standard with the meticulous research that unveils the Washington family in gratifying detail—many of them Confederates of interest and importance.” (Robert K. Krick, author of The Smoothbore Volley that Doomed the Confederacy, Stonewall Jackson at Cedar Mountain, and Lee’s Colonels) Read more About the Author Justin Matthews Glenn was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and raised in Glendale and Phoenix, Arizona. He graduated from Stanford University [B.A., Classics, 1967; magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa] and was a Woodrow Wilson Fellow at Princeton University [M.A., Classics, 1969; Ph.D., Classics, 1970]. His career as a professor of Classics at the University of Georgia and Florida State University spanned thirty-five years, and he has published over seventy articles, notes, and reviews in his field. A distant cousin of George Washington, he has served as Registrar General of the National Society of the Washington Family Descendants since 2002. Read more
E**N
History comes alive and personal as I see the part MY ancestors had in the foundation of this great nation!
Justin Glenn has done an outstanding job of compiling this tremendous genealogical record of all the descendants of the Washingtons. I have been amazed at the number of different last names that appear in this record! I have truly enjoyed the vignettes about the characters - my relatives - that have played a part in the history of our nation. I have kept our family geneaological record nearby as I read this book to add comments and dates. I truly can't wait till the hard back copies of all the volumes come out in print so that I can share all this with my family! Thank you, Justin, for letting us be part of this great work of history!
K**E
I highly recommend this series
Justin Glenn, PhD (2014). Washington: A family history. Savas Publishing: El Dorado Hills, CA [Kindle ebook]For anyone interested in the family of George Washington, I highly recommend this series. To be published in eight volumes, Dr. Glenn's research covers the genealogy of George Washington from the first ancestor (the immigrant John Washington) to set foot in the colonies, down through fifteen generations, covering some 63,000 descendants. More than just a genealogy, the volumes include numerous family member biographies. It is well researched and sourced. While individuals are listed in descendent order (some volumes are in ascending order because of the content), the volumes are interspersed with numerous biographies of individuals and often their spouses. I have found Dr. Glenn's writing style engaging and easy to read.Dr. Glenn has spent more than 40 years researching the Washington and allied families and, since 2002 has been the Registrar General of the National Society of the Washington Family Descendants. I have corresponded with Dr. Glenn over the last several years as he was finishing his research, both to clarify some inconsistencies that I had found and to provide updated information on my Windsor/Casey branch where his research had left off (I am a second cousin, eight times removed of President George Washington). I have at all times found him to be easily accessible, invaluably helpful (as these volumes will attest), and both honest and forthright where inconsistencies or lack of documentation left room for speculation. (An excellent example is his research and conclusions regarding which "John Wrights" were related to the presidential branch. This was particularly of interest to me because three John Wright individuals are my 5th, 6th, and 7th great grandfather, respectively.)Over the last several months, three of the eight volumes have been published:Volume 1: Seven generations of the presidential branch. This volume begins with Lawrence Washington in England and traces his son, John Washington's immigration to Virginia Colony, and family offspring down through seven generations. Of particular interest to me, this volume includes as a member of the seventh generation, Nancy Louisa Windsor, my 2nd great grandmother. She and two of her sisters would marry Casey brothers.Volume 2: Notable members of the presidential branch. This volume is a presentation of a number of famous or influential people in the presidential branch that Dr. Glenn happened upon in his research. Individuals include people ranging from actor Lee Marvin, to blues great Johnny Winter, to Major General George S. Patton III.Volume 3: Royal descents of the presidential branch. This volume traces a number of European royal and aristocratic lineages that link to the presidential branch. Since royal families tended to interbreed, the lineage is extensive beginning with the Saxon chieftain Cerdic in the mid-400s, and includes Alfred the Great; St. Margaret, Queen of Scots; and Henry I, II, and III; Pippin I, II, and III, and Charlemagne, to name a few.If you like history and genealogy, or if you are researching families that may intersect with the Washington line, I highly recommend this series. I will review other volumes as they are published.
P**R
Justin Glenn's The Washingtons is amazing in its length and breadth
Justin Glenn's The Washingtons is amazing in its length and breadth. Mr. Glenn takes an immense interest in his subject and applies a well-trained academic mind to a promethean task. Since I'm researching a book on GW's equestrian prowess and chivalric ways I was keen to see the special vignettes on other Washingtons who did not perform quite so well as George on the back of a horse. I think there is more room for analysis on one or two subjects by future scholars. One burning question that still haunts me is why the Washingtons of Virginia (my own people) ended up shackled (so to speak) to their servants. In my view, the Washingtons would have served their nation far better by paying much closer attention to GW's own struggles with his conscience and the point he was making by freeing his own slaves. Eventually, of course, we got it right, but not before losing it all. I recommend this book for its meticulous research into the lives of one extended family. We should all be so lucky to have someone like Mr. Glenn detail our family genealogy. I'm still amazed at the labor that went into it. I'll be sharing the anecdotes for a lifetime.
C**E
The Washingtons are documented and come to life!
This is an essential work for anyone interested in the Washington family, whether as a genealogist or historian, amateur or academic. The exhaustive research into the accurate historical record of individuals of the family is balanced with lively commentary, which adds great value to the work. It is a virtually complete catalogue of the family members by generation, but, remarkably, includes fascinating information on their spouses and associates, too. Thanks to Prof. Glenn's dedication to documentation, we have the vital records laid out, the proofs which genealogists strive to locate. It is a remarkable work because it also "reads well" and brings to life a remarkable set of people. The Kindle edition is very easy to follow and search, and I highly recommend that option. Looking forward to the future volumes!
T**R
One Stop Shopping Resource for Washington Genealogy
This is the "go to book" for those researching their Washington lineage. It will save you hundreds of hours of searching and trying to untangle the confusion over numerous descendants with similar names. All his references are included as well as a brief history of the ancestor. A great reference document to have at your disposal. If you don't desire to research the entire Virginia Cousins or William and Mary Quarterly that includes having to know what words mean in the 18th century....then buy this book. It has it all.V/rTom RussellBolivia, NC
B**
A Family History You Will Not Want to Miss
This will be the most in depth story of the Washington Family and the contributions they have made to this country ever done. Justin has done the impossible and not only collected this information, but he has put it in a form that is easy to read and to understand the part family plays in history. I am proud to be a member of the Washington Family and especially proud to know Justin Glenn.William Moore Hurst, Jr.National Society Washington Family Descendants
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