Combat veteran of the Revolutionary War credited with saving the life of General George Washington by intercepting poison intended for the General. William Warrington was born in Drummondtown, Accomac County, Virginia which is now known as Accomac, Accomack County, Virginia.

William is believed to be the son of William Warrington (1695 - 1768) who was born and died in Accomac, Accomack Co. VA and Comfort Thornton born Abt 1721 and who died May 26, 1784 at the same location as her husband.

Warrington enlisted in the Continental Army of the Revolutionary War on February 14, 1776 in Captain Thomas Snead's Company of the 9th Virginia Regiment commanded by Colonel Charles Fleming followed by Col. George Mathews. The 9th VA Regiment was part of the 1st Virginia Brigade commanded by B.Gen. Peter Muhlenberg of the 5th Division commanded by Maj. Gen. William Alexander.

Warrington was transferred to the Commander-in-Chief's (Gen. George Washington) Guard on March 12, 1777 commanded by Capt. Caleb Gibbs with Lt. George Washington Lewis (the General's nephew) as second in command followed by Capt Henry P. Livingston who replaced Lt. Lewis on March 1, 1778.

The size of the Guard numbered approximately 50 men From March 6, 1776 to March 1, 1778 during Warrington's term of service. Sgt. Warrington served with General Washington at Valley Forge and during the Battles of Brandywine, Del., Germantown, PA., Morristown, NJ, and Trenton, NJ. Warrington was discharged from the army on Feb 10, 1778. He is also credited with having served in the War of 1812. William eventually settled in Maysville, Ky but departed in 1826 after the death of his third wife Nancy Holland in 1824 for Ohio where he died in Delaware County.

American Revolutionary War Service

SERGEANT

1. Private - Captain Snead's Co, Colonel Mathew's 9th Regiment, Virginia Line, 1776 - 1777
2. Sergeant - Captain Livingston, Gen. Washington's Life Guard, 1777 - 1778

DAR Patriot A121729

SAR Patriot P-314040

William Warrington was married four times with 17 children:

First wife: Name Unknown - approximately nine children – all names unknown.

Second wife: Leah Townsend – children were:

John Warrington (1797 - 1871)

Sarah (1799 - 1883) who married William Mershon (Feb 28, 1796 - July 2, 1864) on June 1, 1820 in Mason Co. KY.

Mary (1800 - ?) Married Stephen Townsend.

William Warrington III (1801 - 1856).

Leah Townsend-Warrington later married Isaac Hawk Mar 18, 1851.

Third Wife: Nancy Holland – children were Julia Ann Warrington (1801 – 1899), Cosmore G. Warrington (1810 - 1878) and George Washington Warrington (? - ?) who died as an infant.

Fourth wife: Nancy Pryer Littell (1791 - 1874) whom he married Feb 12, 1836 - one child named Charlotte Jane Warrington Turner (Dec. 31, 1836 - Mar 15, 1918).

One existing mystery is the discrepancy of William's birth and death dates on his original marker and the newer marker erected by Ostrander Masonic Lodge 594. The month and year for both dates on both markers are consistant but the days differ by approximately two weeks. No explaination has been found.

The following story was published in the Jan - Dec 1919 issue Volume LIII of the Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine:

It was his (William Warrington) delight to narrate to his family and friends anecdotes of his General. One of these relates to an incident in which Martha Washington figured. She was with the General at Headquarters and had occasion to go outside the lines. Upon her return, having forgotten the countersign, Sergeant Warrington, who was acting as the sentinel at Headquarters, refused to permit her to pass. Mrs. Washington pleaded, but all in vain. The only suggestion he would consider was to inform the General of the predicament of the "Lady of Gracious Memory". General Washington went to her rescue and laughingly whispered the password to his wife and she was permitted to pass by the obdurate sentinel. In telling this story Sergeant Warrington was wont to say "It was the only time I ever heard General Washington laugh heartily".