Biography:

Born Feb. 28, 1752 in Stafford County, Va.; 1776, accepted captain’s commission in Continental Army commanded by his cousin, George Washington; led his cavalry to victory in close combat with British regulars at Cowpens, for which he was awarded a Congressional medal; after the war, Washington stayed in Charleston, where he served in the state legislature; 1798 returned to public service as a brigadier general in America’s undeclared naval war with France; died on March 6, 1810.