george washington washington the ‘ blackest ’ name in america on the eve of george washington 's birthday , associated press writer jesse washington investigates why the founding father 's surname now belongs predominantly to african - americans .
washington 's mount vernon plantation owners who continued to be powerful regional figures after the civil war .
then again , " it 's a myth , " writes washington , " that most enslaved blacks bore the last name of their owner . "
george washington 's name is inseparable from america , and not only from the nation 's ... ( associated press ) in this thursday , feb. 17 , 2011 picture , ida and larry washington sit together in their living room in weybridge , vt .
george washington , who traces his family tree back to england in the 1700s , says he ... ( associated press ) file - this undated picture shows gilbert stuart 's portrait
the 2000 u.s. census counted 163,036 people with the last name washington , 90 percent of whom were allowed the dignity of a surname .
in this thursday , feb. 17 , 2011 picture , ida and larry washington sit together in their living room in weybridge , vt .
larry washington , who traces his family tree back to ... ( associated press ) in this thursday , feb. 17 , 2011 picture , ida and larry washington sit together in their living room in weybridge , vt .
for instance , " only a handful " of george washington 's slaves had his name is inseparable from america , and not only from the nation 's history .