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ÒThe Reverend Lawrence Washington, was born in 1602, the fifth son of Lawrence and Margaret. He was educated at Brasenose College, Oxford, where he graduated with a B.A. in 1623. He became rector of Purleigh, Essex, a wealthy living, in April 1633. That summer he married Amphyllis, daughter and co-heiress of John Twigden, of Little Creaton, Northamptonshire. Their eldest son John was born the following spring.
In 1643, Parliament ordered the living of Purleigh to be sequestered and he was ejected. The Civil war was in progress and he was accused as a "Malignant Royalist". He became greatly impoverished and Amphyllis and their children made their home with her stepfather at Tring (her mother had re-married after her father's death). John Washington was about 19 when his father died in poverty in 1654/5. Two years later, his mother died intestate and was buried at Tring.Ó
All Saints Church- The church was built in the 14th century but had a major restoration in 1892. This restoration was paid by Americans in memory of Laurence Washington who was Rector from 1632 to 1643. Rector Washington was Great Grandfather of the first President of United States of America.
The chancel remains 14th century as does the stained glass in the heads of the chancel.
The incumbents of Purleigh Church go back as far as 1220 when William de London was Rector. |
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