How US independence led to village church repairs

A village has been given £8,000 by a charity in the United States because of its link to one of the most revered figures in the country's history.

George Washington led the forces fighting for independence from Great Britain 250 years ago and became the first President of the United States.

In the 14th Century, his ancestor Agnes de Wessington married the vicar of Steeple in Dorset, Edmund Lawrence.

That connection has been recognised by the Daughters of the American Revolution with a donation to the church.

"I wrote to them and told them our story and they said they would be delighted to help," said Steeple resident Ben Edwards.

"They donated enough money to repair and replace all the clear-glass windows in the church."

St Michael and All Angels has a number of features that reveal its connection to the Washington family.

The family crest, featuring three stars above two stripes, appears in several places in the church including shields on the ceiling and engravings on the wall.

"One of the Lawrence family was the vicar of Steeple and he married into the Washington family, so that coat of arms combines the two family crests," said Edwards.

The three stars and two stripes design remained on the Washington family coat of arms when they emigrated to America in the 1600s.

It is believed to have later inspired the design of the United States national flag, commonly known as the stars and stripes.

Attached to a pole in the church is the flag of Washington DC which retains the original three red stars and two red stripes on a white background.

Steeple resident Richard Bond said: "This is one of our very treasured possessions.

"It was presented to us by the Mayor of Washington, Walter E Washington, to mark the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 1976."

Now, in the 250th anniversary year Edwards hopes the Washington connection will attract visitors and encourage more donations for further repairs to the church: "We want to show there is this special little spot with so many connections to American history that they can come and visit.

"And if we're terribly lucky, they may leave us a few dollars.

"It's wonderful to have the opportunity to open people's eyes to what is over the folds of the hills in Purbeck, that goes right back in our history."

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