EARLY LIFE
George Washington was born on February 22, 1732 at Popes Creek, Westmoreland County, Virginia, on the south bank of the Potamac River.
The George Washington Birthplace National Monument (a typical plantation home) is built on the site of burnt down house where George was born (it was destroyed by fire in 1779). It is now a tourist attraction.
George came from a wealthy land and slave owning Virginian family of English descent.
His family originally owned a manor in Garsdon, Wiltshire, England. A tomb of 1640 can be seen in Garsdon Church showing the stars and stripes that were later adopted in the design of the American flag.
His father Captain Augustine Washington died in 1743 when George was 11.
His mother, Mary Ball Washington, was orphaned at 12 and named her son after her guardian, George Eskridge.
Mary Ball Washington was a woman who constantly depreciated her son's achievements and refused to appear at either of his inaugurations.
The memorial to Mary Washington erected in 1894 in Fredericksburg, Virginia, is the first monument financed by women to honor a woman.
George's half-brothers Lawrence and Augustine were older than him and after his father died he became the ward of his oldest half-brother Lawrence.
His five younger brothers and sisters were called Elizabeth, Samuel, John Augustine, Charles and Mildred (who died in infancy).
Not much is known of George's childhood. The story that he cut down his father's favourite cherry tree and confessed to it as couldn't tell a lie is most likely a legend.
Young George rode his horse across the fields and meadow and played Indian wars with his brothers and sisters.
When George was three, his family moved to Little Hunting Creek, a large plantation further up the Potomac. Some years later his family moved to the Ferry Farm on the Rappahannock River, opposite Fredericksburg, Virginia.
He spent much of his boyhood at Ferry Farm and visited his Washington cousins at Chotank in King George County.
George never attended college. His early education came more from outdoor occupations and practical pursuits than from books though he taught himself a good deal of mathematics and became an expert surveyor.
In 1748, Washington joined a surveying party to chart the western estate of Lord Fairfax beyond the Blue Ridge Mountains. The following year he received a surveying licence from William and Mary College.
Having received his surveyor's licence Washington commenced practicing as a surveyor. Lawrence, used personal connections with the Fairfax family had his half-brother appointed official surveyor for Culpeper County, a prestigious position.
Washington made only one trip outside America. Between September 1751 and January 1752, he embarked on a voyage to Barbados with his sick half-brother Lawrence. He arrived by tallmasted schooner and despite contracting smallpox, Washington was "utterly, enraptured by the beautiful prospects."
In 1752 Washington was commissioned in the British army by Virginia's Lieutenant Governor Robert Dinwiddie as a major and as commander of one of the four militia districts.
Washington learned his leadership skills during his time in the British army where he rose in six years to rank of colonel.
Washington's military career began in 1753 when he sent on an expedition into Ohio Valley with a message to the French commander of Fort Le Boeuf to vacate territory which the British had claimed. He twice nearly lost his life on the mission; once an Native American shot at him from close range and missed. A few days later Washington was thrown from a raft into an ice filled stream.
Washington completed the precarious mission in 77 days in difficult winter conditions. He achieved a measure of distinction when his report was published in Virginia and London in which he said the French refused to vacate the territory.
In February 1754, Dinwiddie promoted the 22-year-old Washington to lieutenant colonel and second-in-command of the 300-strong Virginia Regiment.
When France built a new fort in the disputed Ohio territory, the British decided to expel them. This incident ignited the French and Indian War.
On the morning of July 3, 1754, a French force led by Coulon de Villiers attacked Fort Necessity with 900 men. Washington only had 140 troops and by the evening, he had asked for terms of surrender, the only time he surrendered to an enemy in his career. Villiers didn’t take any prisoners and allowed Washington and his troops to return home.
The Battle of the Monongahela took place on July 9, 1755 at Braddock's Field in what is now Braddock, Pennsylvania. General Edward Braddock, the commander, died with many of his men in a failed attack against the French. Despite suffering from a severe case of dysentery, Washington rallied the survivors and formed a rear guard, which allowed the remnants of the force to disengage and retreat. He had two horses shot from under him and four bullets ripped through his coat.
Washington spent several years fighting against French and Indians during the Seven Years War during which he gained a high military reputation.
During the latter stages of the French and Indian War Washington was in command of a contingent of Virginians. They were part of the 1758 Forbes Expedition, a British military endeavour whose strategic objective was the capture of the French held Fort Duquesne. During the expedition, Washington was caught up a friendly fire episode in which his unit and another British unit thought the other was the French enemy and opened fire. 14 British soldiers were killed in the calamity and another 26 wounded.
After marrying, Washington resigned his commission in December 1758, and did not return to military life until the outbreak of the revolution sixteen and a half years later.
As a respected military hero and large landowner, Washington held local office and was elected to the Virginia provincial legislature, representing Frederick County in the House of Burgesses for seven years beginning in 1758.
When George Washington first ran for the Virginia House of Burgesses, he attributed his defeat to failing to offer enough alcohol to voters. Two years later, he distributed 144 gallons of hard cider, beer, rum and punch, - a half gallon per vote. He won the election.
The Battle of Bunker Hill was one of the first engagements between the Colonists and British during the American War of Independence. Washington was elected Commander in Chief of Continental Army soon after the colonists had been defeated at Bunker Hill.
The following year the second Continental Congress organised what was to become the continental army and chose Washington to command it. Overcoming lack of equipment and other obstacles Washington welded his ill-disciplined army through years of struggle until he was able with French aid to force the surrender of General Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1781.
An attempt was made to kill or kidnap Washington during the Revolution. The governor of New York, the Mayor of New York City and Continental Army soldier Thomas Hickey were all involved. Hickey, who'd been part of the Life Guard which protected Washington, was hanged on June 28, 1776 before a crowd of 20,000 spectators in New York. Hickey was the first person to be executed by the Continental Army for "mutiny, sedition, and treachery."
The memorial to Mary Washington erected in 1894 in Fredericksburg, Virginia, is the first monument financed by women to honor a woman.
George's half-brothers Lawrence and Augustine were older than him and after his father died he became the ward of his oldest half-brother Lawrence.
His five younger brothers and sisters were called Elizabeth, Samuel, John Augustine, Charles and Mildred (who died in infancy).
Not much is known of George's childhood. The story that he cut down his father's favourite cherry tree and confessed to it as couldn't tell a lie is most likely a legend.
Young George rode his horse across the fields and meadow and played Indian wars with his brothers and sisters.
When George was three, his family moved to Little Hunting Creek, a large plantation further up the Potomac. Some years later his family moved to the Ferry Farm on the Rappahannock River, opposite Fredericksburg, Virginia.
He spent much of his boyhood at Ferry Farm and visited his Washington cousins at Chotank in King George County.
 |
| Ferry Farm |
George never attended college. His early education came more from outdoor occupations and practical pursuits than from books though he taught himself a good deal of mathematics and became an expert surveyor.
In 1748, Washington joined a surveying party to chart the western estate of Lord Fairfax beyond the Blue Ridge Mountains. The following year he received a surveying licence from William and Mary College.
Having received his surveyor's licence Washington commenced practicing as a surveyor. Lawrence, used personal connections with the Fairfax family had his half-brother appointed official surveyor for Culpeper County, a prestigious position.
Washington made only one trip outside America. Between September 1751 and January 1752, he embarked on a voyage to Barbados with his sick half-brother Lawrence. He arrived by tallmasted schooner and despite contracting smallpox, Washington was "utterly, enraptured by the beautiful prospects."
COLONIAL MILITARY CAREER
In 1752 Washington was commissioned in the British army by Virginia's Lieutenant Governor Robert Dinwiddie as a major and as commander of one of the four militia districts.
Washington learned his leadership skills during his time in the British army where he rose in six years to rank of colonel.
Washington's military career began in 1753 when he sent on an expedition into Ohio Valley with a message to the French commander of Fort Le Boeuf to vacate territory which the British had claimed. He twice nearly lost his life on the mission; once an Native American shot at him from close range and missed. A few days later Washington was thrown from a raft into an ice filled stream.
Washington completed the precarious mission in 77 days in difficult winter conditions. He achieved a measure of distinction when his report was published in Virginia and London in which he said the French refused to vacate the territory.
In February 1754, Dinwiddie promoted the 22-year-old Washington to lieutenant colonel and second-in-command of the 300-strong Virginia Regiment.
When France built a new fort in the disputed Ohio territory, the British decided to expel them. This incident ignited the French and Indian War.
On the morning of July 3, 1754, a French force led by Coulon de Villiers attacked Fort Necessity with 900 men. Washington only had 140 troops and by the evening, he had asked for terms of surrender, the only time he surrendered to an enemy in his career. Villiers didn’t take any prisoners and allowed Washington and his troops to return home.
The Battle of the Monongahela took place on July 9, 1755 at Braddock's Field in what is now Braddock, Pennsylvania. General Edward Braddock, the commander, died with many of his men in a failed attack against the French. Despite suffering from a severe case of dysentery, Washington rallied the survivors and formed a rear guard, which allowed the remnants of the force to disengage and retreat. He had two horses shot from under him and four bullets ripped through his coat.
 |
| Painting of Lt. Col. Washington on horseback during the Battle of the Monongahela — Reǵnier, 1834 |
Washington spent several years fighting against French and Indians during the Seven Years War during which he gained a high military reputation.
During the latter stages of the French and Indian War Washington was in command of a contingent of Virginians. They were part of the 1758 Forbes Expedition, a British military endeavour whose strategic objective was the capture of the French held Fort Duquesne. During the expedition, Washington was caught up a friendly fire episode in which his unit and another British unit thought the other was the French enemy and opened fire. 14 British soldiers were killed in the calamity and another 26 wounded.
After marrying, Washington resigned his commission in December 1758, and did not return to military life until the outbreak of the revolution sixteen and a half years later.
EARLY POLITICAL CAREER
As a respected military hero and large landowner, Washington held local office and was elected to the Virginia provincial legislature, representing Frederick County in the House of Burgesses for seven years beginning in 1758.
When George Washington first ran for the Virginia House of Burgesses, he attributed his defeat to failing to offer enough alcohol to voters. Two years later, he distributed 144 gallons of hard cider, beer, rum and punch, - a half gallon per vote. He won the election.
 |
| Washington in 1772 |
AMERICAN REVOLUTION
The Battle of Bunker Hill was one of the first engagements between the Colonists and British during the American War of Independence. Washington was elected Commander in Chief of Continental Army soon after the colonists had been defeated at Bunker Hill.
The following year the second Continental Congress organised what was to become the continental army and chose Washington to command it. Overcoming lack of equipment and other obstacles Washington welded his ill-disciplined army through years of struggle until he was able with French aid to force the surrender of General Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1781.
An attempt was made to kill or kidnap Washington during the Revolution. The governor of New York, the Mayor of New York City and Continental Army soldier Thomas Hickey were all involved. Hickey, who'd been part of the Life Guard which protected Washington, was hanged on June 28, 1776 before a crowd of 20,000 spectators in New York. Hickey was the first person to be executed by the Continental Army for "mutiny, sedition, and treachery."
When Washington found that his troops at Trenton had no shelter except cold tents in the winter, he chose to join his men and live in the same condition as his soldiers.
As commander in chief of American forces, Washington refused a regular salary and worked for expenses only.
After his victories in the War of Independence, Washington refused to make himself military dictator or even king as some of his aides had urged him to do. This might have been influenced by the fact he was infertile, therefore he had no children who might one day might inherit the title.
On December 4, 1783, George Washington, then commanding general of the Continental Army, summoned his military officers to Fraunces Tavern in New York City to inform them that he would be resigning his commission and returning to civilian life. He retired to his plantation at Mount Vernon, Virginia.
In 1748 George Washington went to live with his half-brother Lawrence at Mount Vernon on the banks of the Potomac River in Fairfax County, Virginia. After the death of Lawrence's widow many years later he became its owner.
After marrying in 1758, Washington gave up his military career with the rank of colonel and devoted himself to his estates. He was one of the wealthiest tobacco planters, an efficient and hardworking employer, caring for his slaves. Some say he was America's first millionaire.
Washington was one of the first American scientific farmers. He exchanged letters with agricultural experimenters at home and in England. He imported plants, shrubs, and trees from many parts of the world. As early as 1760 he experimented with alfalfa.
Washington is thought to have been the first farmer in America to try raising mules. He improved his breed of sheep and obtained more than double the average yield of wool.
Steadily adding to Mount Vernon, Washington increased its holdings to 8,000 acres, divided into five farms. He complained of heavy losses in bad years, but in good years his profits were large
In 1787 General George Washington returned to politics as president of the Constitutional Convention.
He was elected as America's first President in 1789 as a Federalist. Washington won 69 electoral votes, John Adams 34 votes. No one else received more than nine.
As a result of the great difficulty in communicating and convening for assembly due to a lack of functioning roads, poorly maintained bridges and slow postal delivery, it took two months for George Washington to learn he had won the presidency.
Washington had to borrow $100 to pay for his trip to his presidential inauguration in New York.
Washington was inaugurated as the first U.S. President on April 30, 1789. As he was sworn in, Washington added, "I swear, so help me God" and kissed the Bible. He then announced the first national Thanksgiving.
At the time of his inauguration Washington was the only head of state in a major country who was not a crowned monarch.
As president, Washington pulled in a salary of $25,000 a year. That's roughly $1 million in today's currency. Apparently excited by his newfound purchasing power, Washington started living it up, reportedly buying leopard-skin robes for all his horses and spending seven percent of his income on alcohol.
The President's House in Philadelphia was Washington's residence from 1790 to 1797.
He was a cautious and methodical president. Washington worked to put the country on a sound economic footing, instituting new taxes and tariffs in order to pay off debts arising from the Revolutionary War.
The president's cabinet is not mentioned in the constitution. But Washington found that he had to consult regularly with the Secretary of State and often head of major departments and the cabinet developed from this practice of the first president.
Brother Jonathan was a nickname for a USA citizen in the . When asked a difficult question Washington would often require "We must consult Brother Jonathan."
President George Washington personally led 12,950 men to western Pennsylvania to quell the whiskey rebellion and assert the power of the federal government. The rebels disbanded and fled. Washington was one of only two sitting presidents to lead an army while in office.
Washington was — until Donald Trump came along with his billions — the richest president in U.S. history, worth $525 million in today's money.
George Washington resigned after his second presidency term. Alexander Hamilton has been credited with writing his famous farewell address, which he gave on September 19, 1796.
Washington's Farewell speech warned against the dangers of political parties growing too powerful
MARRIAGE
George Washington married Martha Dandridge Custis, the wealthy widow of Daniel Parker Custis on January 6, 1759, at the White House plantation, a late 17th-century plantation on the Pamunkey River near White House in New Kent County, Virginia. She was eight months older than him.
Washington adopted Custis's two children and never fathered any of his own. The newlywed couple moved to Mount Vernon where he took up the life of a genteel farmer. He became a member of the House of Burgesses.
Content to live a private life at Mount Vernon and her homes from the Custis estate during the American Revolutionary War, Martha Washington followed Washington to his winter encampments for each of eight years. She helped keep up morale among the officers.
The British during the War of Independence made propaganda out of Washington’s adulterous relationships alleging he kept hordes of mistresses.
As the First Lady, Martha hosted many affairs of state at New York City and Philadelphia during their years as temporary capitals.
A handsome man, Washington was rosy cheeked, slim waisted and big shouldered. He was an imposing figure at over 6ft 2 inches tall and 225 pounds. The average man at the time was only 5'6".
He had a thin-lipped humourless expression in his portraits caused by ill-fitting false teeth.
George Washington was naturally a redhead and did not wear a wig. Instead, he powdered his hair, which was naturally long and lustrous, to make it white.
George Washington wore size 13 shoes.
Exact and methodical, cold and formal to the public, Washington had a hot temper which he held tightly in check.
The religious views of George Washington are a matter of some controversy. Many referred to him at the time as a Deist - believing in God (he preferred more impersonal appellations, like Providence),
General Washington worshiped at an Episcopal church where though he was a vestryman (lay officer), he regularly left services before communion - with the other non-communicants. When Rev. Dr. James Abercrombie, rector of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, mentioned in a weekly sermon that those in elevated stations set an unhappy example by leaving at communion, Washington ceased attending at all on communion Sundays.
However it is clear that Washington had a broader Christian faith than a Deist. A deist would not consistently refer to active, intervening "Providence" of God for the care of his nation. Washington believed God was in control of the war during the American Revolution. Even when the tide of battle was unfavorable he was able to say, "How will it end? God will direct."
It was said that the general could be distinguished from the rest of congressmen at prayers, as he was the only one who knelt down to pray.
In letters throughout his life, George Washington quoted the same Bible verse, Micah 4:4, almost 50 times. It reads “Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken.”
When Christ Church in Alexandria, Virginia was completed in 1773 after six years of construction at a cost of about $4,070. George Washington purchased a pew for himself and his family for $100.
When Washington was appointed the commander in chief of the Continental army, he issued the following precept, "The General is informed that the foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing, a vice here before little known in an American army, is growing into fashion. He hopes the officers will, by example, as well as by influence, endeavor to check it and that both they and the men will reflect that we can have little hope of the blessing of Heaven on our arms if we insult it by our impiety and folly. Added to this, it is a vice so mean and low, without temptation, that every man of sense and character detests and despises it."
The American Masonic lodges did not share the anti-clerical perspective of the controversial European lodges and Washington progressed through its ranks to become a Master Mason. He had a high regard for the Masonic Order, but his personal lodge attendance was sporadic.
Washington did not ask for any clergy on his deathbed, though one was available. His funeral services were those of the Freemasons.
George Washington moved his slaves in and out of Pennsylvania every six months to avoid them taking advantage of a law that meant slaves residing in the state longer than half a year could claim freedom.
Washington enjoyed billiards, rode well and walked with a vigorous stride. His favourite sport was hunting.
He loved dancing and the theatre.
Washington was a cricket enthusiast and was known to have played the sport, which was popular at that time in the British colonies.
As commander in chief of American forces, Washington refused a regular salary and worked for expenses only.
After his victories in the War of Independence, Washington refused to make himself military dictator or even king as some of his aides had urged him to do. This might have been influenced by the fact he was infertile, therefore he had no children who might one day might inherit the title.
On December 4, 1783, George Washington, then commanding general of the Continental Army, summoned his military officers to Fraunces Tavern in New York City to inform them that he would be resigning his commission and returning to civilian life. He retired to his plantation at Mount Vernon, Virginia.
 |
| General George Washington Resigning His Commission John Trumbull, 1824 |
FARMING
In 1748 George Washington went to live with his half-brother Lawrence at Mount Vernon on the banks of the Potomac River in Fairfax County, Virginia. After the death of Lawrence's widow many years later he became its owner.
After marrying in 1758, Washington gave up his military career with the rank of colonel and devoted himself to his estates. He was one of the wealthiest tobacco planters, an efficient and hardworking employer, caring for his slaves. Some say he was America's first millionaire.
Washington was one of the first American scientific farmers. He exchanged letters with agricultural experimenters at home and in England. He imported plants, shrubs, and trees from many parts of the world. As early as 1760 he experimented with alfalfa.
Washington is thought to have been the first farmer in America to try raising mules. He improved his breed of sheep and obtained more than double the average yield of wool.
Steadily adding to Mount Vernon, Washington increased its holdings to 8,000 acres, divided into five farms. He complained of heavy losses in bad years, but in good years his profits were large
 |
| Washington as Farmer at Mount Vernon. Junius Brutus Sterns 1851 |
PRESIDENCY
In 1787 General George Washington returned to politics as president of the Constitutional Convention.
He was elected as America's first President in 1789 as a Federalist. Washington won 69 electoral votes, John Adams 34 votes. No one else received more than nine.
As a result of the great difficulty in communicating and convening for assembly due to a lack of functioning roads, poorly maintained bridges and slow postal delivery, it took two months for George Washington to learn he had won the presidency.
Washington had to borrow $100 to pay for his trip to his presidential inauguration in New York.
Washington was inaugurated as the first U.S. President on April 30, 1789. As he was sworn in, Washington added, "I swear, so help me God" and kissed the Bible. He then announced the first national Thanksgiving.
At the time of his inauguration Washington was the only head of state in a major country who was not a crowned monarch.
As president, Washington pulled in a salary of $25,000 a year. That's roughly $1 million in today's currency. Apparently excited by his newfound purchasing power, Washington started living it up, reportedly buying leopard-skin robes for all his horses and spending seven percent of his income on alcohol.
The President's House in Philadelphia was Washington's residence from 1790 to 1797.
 |
| The President's House in Philadelphia |
He was a cautious and methodical president. Washington worked to put the country on a sound economic footing, instituting new taxes and tariffs in order to pay off debts arising from the Revolutionary War.
The president's cabinet is not mentioned in the constitution. But Washington found that he had to consult regularly with the Secretary of State and often head of major departments and the cabinet developed from this practice of the first president.
Brother Jonathan was a nickname for a USA citizen in the . When asked a difficult question Washington would often require "We must consult Brother Jonathan."
President George Washington personally led 12,950 men to western Pennsylvania to quell the whiskey rebellion and assert the power of the federal government. The rebels disbanded and fled. Washington was one of only two sitting presidents to lead an army while in office.
Washington was — until Donald Trump came along with his billions — the richest president in U.S. history, worth $525 million in today's money.
George Washington resigned after his second presidency term. Alexander Hamilton has been credited with writing his famous farewell address, which he gave on September 19, 1796.
Washington's Farewell speech warned against the dangers of political parties growing too powerful
 |
| Washington's Farewell Address |
MARRIAGE
George Washington married Martha Dandridge Custis, the wealthy widow of Daniel Parker Custis on January 6, 1759, at the White House plantation, a late 17th-century plantation on the Pamunkey River near White House in New Kent County, Virginia. She was eight months older than him.
 |
| Martha Dandridge Custis in 1757 |
Washington adopted Custis's two children and never fathered any of his own. The newlywed couple moved to Mount Vernon where he took up the life of a genteel farmer. He became a member of the House of Burgesses.
Content to live a private life at Mount Vernon and her homes from the Custis estate during the American Revolutionary War, Martha Washington followed Washington to his winter encampments for each of eight years. She helped keep up morale among the officers.
The British during the War of Independence made propaganda out of Washington’s adulterous relationships alleging he kept hordes of mistresses.
As the First Lady, Martha hosted many affairs of state at New York City and Philadelphia during their years as temporary capitals.
APPEARANCE AND CHARACTER
A handsome man, Washington was rosy cheeked, slim waisted and big shouldered. He was an imposing figure at over 6ft 2 inches tall and 225 pounds. The average man at the time was only 5'6".
He had a thin-lipped humourless expression in his portraits caused by ill-fitting false teeth.
George Washington was naturally a redhead and did not wear a wig. Instead, he powdered his hair, which was naturally long and lustrous, to make it white.
 |
| Washington the Constable by Gilbert Stuart |
George Washington wore size 13 shoes.
Exact and methodical, cold and formal to the public, Washington had a hot temper which he held tightly in check.
BELIEFS
The religious views of George Washington are a matter of some controversy. Many referred to him at the time as a Deist - believing in God (he preferred more impersonal appellations, like Providence),
General Washington worshiped at an Episcopal church where though he was a vestryman (lay officer), he regularly left services before communion - with the other non-communicants. When Rev. Dr. James Abercrombie, rector of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, mentioned in a weekly sermon that those in elevated stations set an unhappy example by leaving at communion, Washington ceased attending at all on communion Sundays.
However it is clear that Washington had a broader Christian faith than a Deist. A deist would not consistently refer to active, intervening "Providence" of God for the care of his nation. Washington believed God was in control of the war during the American Revolution. Even when the tide of battle was unfavorable he was able to say, "How will it end? God will direct."
 |
| George Washington praying at Valley Forge. |
It was said that the general could be distinguished from the rest of congressmen at prayers, as he was the only one who knelt down to pray.
In letters throughout his life, George Washington quoted the same Bible verse, Micah 4:4, almost 50 times. It reads “Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken.”
When Christ Church in Alexandria, Virginia was completed in 1773 after six years of construction at a cost of about $4,070. George Washington purchased a pew for himself and his family for $100.
When Washington was appointed the commander in chief of the Continental army, he issued the following precept, "The General is informed that the foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing, a vice here before little known in an American army, is growing into fashion. He hopes the officers will, by example, as well as by influence, endeavor to check it and that both they and the men will reflect that we can have little hope of the blessing of Heaven on our arms if we insult it by our impiety and folly. Added to this, it is a vice so mean and low, without temptation, that every man of sense and character detests and despises it."
The American Masonic lodges did not share the anti-clerical perspective of the controversial European lodges and Washington progressed through its ranks to become a Master Mason. He had a high regard for the Masonic Order, but his personal lodge attendance was sporadic.
Washington did not ask for any clergy on his deathbed, though one was available. His funeral services were those of the Freemasons.
George Washington moved his slaves in and out of Pennsylvania every six months to avoid them taking advantage of a law that meant slaves residing in the state longer than half a year could claim freedom.
HOBBIES AND INTERESTS
Washington enjoyed billiards, rode well and walked with a vigorous stride. His favourite sport was hunting.
He loved dancing and the theatre.
Washington was a cricket enthusiast and was known to have played the sport, which was popular at that time in the British colonies.
PETS
Washington was an avid dog breeder and owner of many hounds. Some of their names were Trulove, Drunkard, Madame Moose, Captain, Cloe, Forester, Lady Rover, Mopsey, Sweetlips, Stride, Aster, Tipler and Vulcan. Drunkard, Vulcan and Sweetlips were amongst Washington's 18 hounds during his time as president.
Nelson was General George Washington's charger, which was present at Valley Forge and Yorktown and remained with the first president at Mount Vernon.
FOOD AND DRINK
It is said George Washington's favorite dish was "smoked ham with sweet glaze."
When George Washington was served ice cream at a dinner party given by Mrs. Alexander Hamilton, he liked it so much, he bought a "cream machine for making ice" of his own.
A planter at heart, Washington had wheaten bread made for his many European guests (but didn't eat it himself).
Washington was fond of cracking Brazil nuts between his jaws, which caused his teeth to loosen.
His favorite dessert was trifle.
Washington contacted at the age of 19 tuberculosis, which left him infertile. As a result he had no children.
When Washington was the commander in chief of the continental army during the War of Independence, he had his entire army inoculated, a controversial decision, as few doctors at the time believed in variolation.
Sixteen years previously Washington had caught smallpox during a trip to Barbados. As a result he was permanently scarred.
George Washington preferred not to shake the hands of visitors. He would bow instead.
Washington was one of the sickest American presidents, suffering from diphtheria, tuberculosis, smallpox, dysentery, malaria, tonsillitis and pneumonia.
Prior to Washington's service in the Revolutionary War, Dr. John Baker, the first dentist to fashion false teeth for Washington, fabricated a partial denture with ivory that was wired to Washington's remaining real teeth.
He soaked his ivory and wooden dentures every night in port to improve their flavor.
Washington had a number of sets of false teeth all in frequent need of being sent away for the removal of port stains, some of which were extracted from the mouths of his slaves.
Washington had only one tooth in his mouth by the time he was inaugurated in 1789. He contacted a leading dentist in Philadelphia who produced state of art dentures made from exotic and lasting material: hippopotamus ivory.
When George Washington was served ice cream at a dinner party given by Mrs. Alexander Hamilton, he liked it so much, he bought a "cream machine for making ice" of his own.
A planter at heart, Washington had wheaten bread made for his many European guests (but didn't eat it himself).
Washington was fond of cracking Brazil nuts between his jaws, which caused his teeth to loosen.
His favorite dessert was trifle.
HEALTH
Washington contacted at the age of 19 tuberculosis, which left him infertile. As a result he had no children.
When Washington was the commander in chief of the continental army during the War of Independence, he had his entire army inoculated, a controversial decision, as few doctors at the time believed in variolation.
Sixteen years previously Washington had caught smallpox during a trip to Barbados. As a result he was permanently scarred.
George Washington preferred not to shake the hands of visitors. He would bow instead.
Washington was one of the sickest American presidents, suffering from diphtheria, tuberculosis, smallpox, dysentery, malaria, tonsillitis and pneumonia.
Prior to Washington's service in the Revolutionary War, Dr. John Baker, the first dentist to fashion false teeth for Washington, fabricated a partial denture with ivory that was wired to Washington's remaining real teeth.
He soaked his ivory and wooden dentures every night in port to improve their flavor.
Washington had a number of sets of false teeth all in frequent need of being sent away for the removal of port stains, some of which were extracted from the mouths of his slaves.
Washington had only one tooth in his mouth by the time he was inaugurated in 1789. He contacted a leading dentist in Philadelphia who produced state of art dentures made from exotic and lasting material: hippopotamus ivory.
During his second term of office as president, Washington found himself succumbing to progressive senile dementia. He was noted to be increasingly emotionally unstable, confused and out of touch with reality.
LAST YEARS AND DEATH
Washington devoted the last two and a half years of his life to his family and his plantations. He owned 216 slaves at the time of his death.
On December 12, 1799 Washington made his usual circuit of his farms on horseback in hail and snow. He went down with acute laryngitis, was bled heavily four times and given gargles of "molasses, vinegar and butter," and a blister of cantharides (a preparation of dried beetles) was placed on his throat,
Washington's strength rapidly sunk and he died two days later between 10 and 11 p.m. on December 14, 1799 with Martha seated at the foot of his bed. His last words were "It is well. I die hard, but am not afraid to go."
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| Washington on his Deathbed Junius Brutus Stearns 1799 |
The news of Washington's death placed the entire country in mourning. Even Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte ordered ten days of mourning in France.
Washington had a morbid fear of premature burial and had left instructions that after he died he was to be laid out for three days to ensure he wasn't "accidentally" alive. His specific instructions included "do not let my body be put into the vault in less than three days after I am dead. Do you understand?"
Eventually Washington was buried in the family vault at Mount Vernon and when Martha died two years later she was buried with him.
Modern day doctors now believe that Washington died from either a streptococcal infection of the throat or, since he was bled as part of the treatment, a combination of shock from the loss of blood, asphyxia, and dehydration.
LEGACY
The portrait of George Washington in the East Room is the only object known to have always been in the White House.
Washington DC was named after him. The city was established on land ceded to Congress by Maryland and Virginia in 1790.
Washington State in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. is also named for him, the only state named for a president.
There is a popular legend that Washington, whose family came from the North East of England, had said he would never set foot on British soil again, so when they erected a statue of him in the heart of London at Trafalgar Square in 1924 some American soil was put under the statue comply with his wishes.
In 1976 President Gerald Ford signed a bill posthumously making George Washington a 6-star general, the highest ever U.S. military rank. By law, no United States officer is allowed to outrank George Washington.
In 1789, President George Washington borrowed law treatise The Law Of Nations from the New York Society Library; 221 years later, in 2010, the staff at his former Mount Vernon home finally got around to returning the book. The library waived the $300,000 fine.
The father of the nation, Washington's birthday is a United States federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday of February.
Sources: Longman Encyclopedia of World History, Debrett's Presidents of the United States by David Williamson, The Giant Book of Facts and Trivia by Isaac Asimov, Food For Thought by Ed Pearce, Crosswalk.com, Compton's Encyclopedia
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