The American Cyclopædia (1879)/Washington, Bushrod

WASHINGTON, Bushrod, an American jurist, born in Westmoreland co., Va., June 5, 1762, died in Philadelphia, Nov. 26, 1829. He was the son of John Augustine Washington, a younger brother of George Washington. In the winter of 1780-'81 he volunteered in a troop of horse commanded by Col. J. F. Mercer, and continued to the service till the disbanding of the troop after the siege of Yorktown. He afterward studied law in Philadelphia, practised in his native county, in 1787 was elected to the Virginia house of delegates, and in 1788 was a member of the convention to ratify the constitution of the United States. In 1798 President Adams appointed him one of the judges of the supreme court of the United States. By the will of Gen. Washington he became the possessor of the Mount Vernon estate, and resided there; he bequeathed it to his nephew, John Augustine Washington.