The family tree of George Washington, the first President of the United States, reveals a rich and interconnected lineage stretching across generations of the Washington, Butler, Dandridge, Custis, and eventually Lee families. Using the chart provided, we can trace how his ancestry shaped his upbringing—and how his marriage linked him to one of the most influential families of colonial America.
Foundations of the Washington Line
The Washington family begins in this chart with Butler Washington, followed by his descendant Lawrence Washington, a foundational early figure in the American Washington line. These early generations established the family in Virginia, setting the stage for its future prominence.
From Lawrence came Augustine Washington, George’s father. Augustine (1694–1743) appears at the center of the tree as a pivotal connection point, marrying twice and fathering several influential children.
Augustine Washington’s Two Marriages
First Marriage: Jane Butler
Augustine’s marriage to Jane Butler produced several children who played important roles within the Washington family network:
- Lawrence Washington (1718–1752) – George Washington’s half-brother and an important mentor figure.
- Augustine Washington Jr. (1720–1762)
- Jane Washington
- Butler Washington
- William A. Washington (1752–1810) (descendant indicated further down the line)
This branch laid the groundwork for Washington’s early social and military connections.
Second Marriage: Mary Ball Washington
Augustine’s second and most famous marriage was with Mary Ball Washington, the mother of:
- George Washington (1732–1799)
- Betty Washington (1733–1797)
- Samuel Washington (1734–1781)
- John A. Washington (1736–1787)
- Charles Washington (1738–1799)
- Mildred Washington (1739–1740)
This second marriage expanded the Washington line significantly, producing several siblings who themselves established influential Virginia families.
George Washington’s Marriage: The Custis Connection
Although George Washington had no biological children, his marriage to Martha Dandridge Custis (1731–1802) deeply linked him to the powerful Custis family.
Martha brought with her two children from her previous marriage to Daniel Parke Custis:
- John Parke Custis (1754–1781)
- Martha Parke Custis (1756–1773)
Through these children and their descendants, George Washington became the step-grandfather to an entire new branch of influential Americans.
See Also: The Early Roman Emperors: From Julius Caesar to Commodus
The Custis Descendants and the Lee Connection
One of the most important lines descending from the Custis family is that of:
George Washington Parke Custis (1781–1857)
(George Washington’s step-grandson)
He married Mary Fitzhugh, and their daughter:
Eleanor Parke Custis (Nelly Custis)
appears alongside siblings Elizabeth, Martha, and several others.
The most historically significant link, however, is:
Mary Anna Randolph Custis,
who married Robert E. Lee (1807–1870), the Confederate general.
This marriage connects the Washington family indirectly to the Lee family, introducing one of the most intricate and impactful genealogical connections of early American history.
The Extended Washington Line
Other siblings of George Washington also carried the family name forward:
- Betty Washington’s descendants include Lawrence Lewis, who married into the Custis line as well.
- Samuel Washington and John A. Washington produced multiple branches, including:
- George S. Washington (1785–1854)
- Bushrod Washington (1762–1829) – Supreme Court Justice and executor of George Washington’s estate.
- Charles Washington’s line continues through:
- Corbin Washington (1765–1799)
- And onward to John A. Washington II & III
These branches extended the Washington presence across Virginia and the growing United States.
A Family of Influence
The George Washington family tree reveals far more than parents and siblings—it showcases:
- Colonial Virginia plantation elite
- Interconnected dynasties (Washington, Custis, Lee)
- Political, military, and judicial leadership
- Generational influence on early American society
George Washington himself may not have left biological heirs, but through his step-family—the Custises—and through his siblings’ descendants, the Washington legacy lived on in significant historical figures.
