Presidential roots

POST FALLS — Robert Asbury stands by a monument at Pleasant View Cemetery. The monument stands in the middle of several graves of Asbury family members on a piece of ground marked by gravel, dirt and fallen pine tree needles.

It doesn't look very presidential. But it is.

In bold letters, it states why the five-foot tall block was put there by Robert Asbury and other family members, and it’s why the Liberty Lake, Wash., man is there on this day.

Near the top is the word “ASBURY” in bold, black, capital letters, just under a profile of George Washington. Next, it says, “Dedicated to the nephews of George Washington."

Finally, comes “Grandchildren of Squire Asbury & Mary E. Washington,” followed by a list of names chiseled into the earth-toned stone: George Phillip, Roy Roscoe, Vernon C., Ern Washington, Robert Lee, Donald Giles.

“These boys are direct descendants of George Washington’s family,” Robert Asbury says.

And they are buried at this small, hilltop cemetery.

“These boys all grew up right here,” Robert Asbury says. “This area was very special to them. Growing up, that’s all I heard about is them growing up in the Pleasant View foothills. They had kind of a rough childhood growing up, working at different farms.”

Robert Lee is Robert Asbury’s father. The others are Robert Lee’s brothers, who are, then, Robert Asbury’s uncles.

The soft-spoken Asbury explains the “most important two things” about all this genealogy: His family members are direct descendants of George Washington’s immediate family by way of Samuel Washington, George Washington’s brother.

Samuel Washington is Robert Asbury's fourth great-grandfather.

And this means Robert Asbury is a descendant of this country’s first president. Not a descendant by means of some shaky line of long-lost relatives, but via Samuel Washington.

It was time, Asbury said, to recognize and honor that connection to the very roots of this country.

“That’s the reason we thought it was appropriate to put up something beyond their gravesite,” he said.

Charles Asbury, who lived from 1860 to 1937, is buried near the monument. He was the son of Squire Asbury and Mary Elizabeth Washington. The names on the monument are his children, including Robert Lee, Robert Asbury’s dad.

Here’s a bit of Washington and Asbury family history. It’s not easy to follow, so pay attention:

Sam Washington’s second wife was Mildred Thornton. Their first child was Thornton Washington. Thornton Washington's first child was John Thornton Washington.

George Washington, by the way, had no children of his own. When he married Martha Custis, she had two small children (two had died) from her first marriage.

John Thornton Washington’s daughter was Mary Elizabeth, who married Squire Asbury.

Mary Elizabeth, then, was a grandniece of George Washington.

Squire Asbury is Robert Asbury’s great-grandfather, while Charles Asbury is Robert Asbury’s grandfather.

Got it?

Robert Asbury, a retired filmmaker and producer of a fishing show for two decades, is a history buff. He produced a DVD about the life of Samuel Washington, “The General's Brother.” He and wife Barbara have visited Civil and Revolutionary War sites.

“I’ve always been interested in history,” he said.

About 30 years ago, his interest intensified when he received a letter from John A. Washington of Bethesda, Md.

“You’re related to George Washington’s family,” it read.

Robert and Barbara Asbury were officially invited to the National Society of Washington Family Descendants, an annual gathering.

“That’s how we got involved,” Robert Asbury said.

Robert and wife Barbara have since attended some of the Washington family descendant gatherings and may go to this year's at Mount Vernon, the home of George and Martha Washington south of Washington, D.C.

Robert said the Asburys are considering, at some point, to hold a small family ceremony around Memorial Day as an unveiling of sorts of the monument.

Robert Asbury said being a descendant of George Washington hasn’t exactly made him famous or garnered invitations to appear at the White House, and many aren't even aware of his famous family.

“It’s something we all grew up with that our dads talked about,"he said, then adding, "kind of in a joking way."

And the rest, as they say, is history.