Portrait of Augustine Warner, Jr.
Augustine Warner, Jr. (June 3, 1642 - June 19, 1681) was a Virginia politician and landowner. He served in the House of Burgesses from 1666-67, and was its Speaker in two separate sessions in 1676 and 1677, before and after Bacon's Rebellion. He then served on the Governor's Council from about October 1677 until his death. He was the last common ancestor of George Washington and Queen Elizabeth II.
Warner was born on June 3, 1642 as the only son of Augustine Warner and Mary Cant Towneley in Virginia. His father had patented the plantation called Austin's Desire in Gloucestor County, building Warner Hall on the property. The younger Warner went to London in 1658 and attended the Merchant Taylors' School. He returned to Virginia after finishing his education and married. They settled on a farm in Gloucester County, living there until he inherited Warner Hall in 1674. In March 1676, the General Assembly called by Governor Sir William Berkeley in 1661 held its last session. As the Nathaniel Bacon crisis was building, Berkeley dissolved the House of Burgesses and called new elections. It is not known if Warner served in the new House that met in June 1676.
Fighting in Bacon's Rebellion began in late July 1676. Warner remained loyal to Berkeley, joining his forces. Bacon captured Jamestown and burned it on September 19, then crossed the York River and seized Warner Hall. Bacon died in October, but the rebellion continued until early 1677. Warner served on a court-martial headed by Berkeley on January 11, 1677. Berkeley called for new elections, and Warner was elected Speaker of the new House when it convened in February. The Assembly met until early April. In late September - early October 1677, Warner was appointed to the Council. He sued William Byrd I, a sometime ally of Bacon, for the damage the rebels had done to Warner Hall.
Warner died on June 19, 1681, and was buried at Warner Hall.
Family[]
Warner married Mildred Reade some time before 1671.
- Elizabeth Warner - m. John Lewis
- Mildred Warner - m. (1) Lawrence Washington (2) George Gale
- Mary Warner - m. John Smith
- Augustine Warner III (1667-c. 1687) - died young.
- George Warner - unmarried.
- Robert Warner - unmarried.