The 54th annual reunion of the National Society of the Washington Family Descendants was recently held in Fredericksburg, Va.

C. Carol Cartledge, one of the cousins of George Washington, attended and was elected by the 60 members attending to the position on the Board of Directors of Second Vice-President General, being promoted from Third Vice-President General.

The three-day meeting was filled touring many sites, among them the Kenmore Mansion, home of Betty Washington, George Washington's only sister, and her husband, Fielding Lewis. Built by the Lewises in l775, the Georgian-style mansion reflects the pre-Revolutionary War wealth and status of the Fredericksburg merchant. After touring the house, the group was treated to a sumptious meal on the grounds.

Saturday, the group visited the home of Mary Ball Washington that George Washington bought for his mother in l772, moving her into Fredericksburg to live in this house as hostilities with England drew near. She spent the last 17 years in this white frame comfortable home in walking distance of daughter, Betty. The garden includes some of the boxwoods that she planted.

George Washington was born February 22, 1732, at Popes Creek Plantation, the first son of Augustine (pronounced with the accent on "gus") Washington and his second wife, Mary Ball.

Popes Creek is a small tidal tributary stream of the Potomac River in Westmoreland County, Virginia, George Washington's first home. He spent his first three years at Popes Creek and returned throughout his life.

"Popes Creek was the most beautiful location we visited with the house facing the water, a small tidal tributary stream on the Potomac River. The land across from this home belonged to Nathaniel Pope, my direct ancestor. The Washington family cemetery where my ancestors have rested for 250 years was here," said Miss Cartledge.

A high point of the weekend was visiting Ferry Farm, Washington's boyhood home, which has just been excavated. The group was honored by being allowed to visit and view the ruins. The remains are to be reburied very soon and will not be seen again for many years. Augustine Washington moved his family to this property in 1738 when son George was six years old.

"We had many outstanding speakers, including Wendy Barnes, a curator of Sulgrave Mansion in England, the English home of the Washington family," Cartledge noted.

She concluded, "It was such a special time visiting my cousins who have become such good friends. I'll look forward to the 2009 reunion in Charlestown, West Virginia."