Last updated on April 18th, 2022
If you’re an American history enthusiast, then you already know that George Washington was arguably among the most celebrated leaders witnessed in the United States. His strong and actionable vision, leadership discipline, and morals enabled him to be the first president of the United States. As the Founding Father, here are the 47 facts about George Washington you need to know. Without much ado, let’s dive into the facts pertaining to early life, presidency, and after the presidency.
George Washington’s early life, family, farming
1. Born at the Pope’s Creek
According to the Gregorian calendar that’s used up to the present day, George Washington was born on February 22, 1732. The birthplace was at his father’s owned plantation at the Pope’s Creek, popularly known as the Wakefield and located in Westmoreland County, Virginia.
2. The George Family Ancient Roots
The family traces its root back from England, where George’s great grandfather came from. John Washington, the great grandfather, migrated to Virginia from England. The family held some distinction, but upon migration, the wealth in England was lost.
3. Parents Augustine and Mary Washington
George’s father was known for having a leading plantation. Other than being a leading planter, the father, Augustine Washington, worked in a county court as a justice. The mother and Augustine’s wife, Mary Ball Washington, was the second wife after Jane Butler, who died in 1729.
4. George: Mary’s First Born Son
Among the six children that Augustine Washington had with Mary Ball, George was the eldest. The six include Mildred, Charles, John Augustine, Samuel, Elizabeth, and George. However, before George’s father married her mum, the second wife, he already had two sons and a daughter.
5. The Unique Name
Washington lacked the middle name. During that time, middle names were not common in Europe and related colonies. Things changed later on, and from the early 19th century, people considered adding more words to the naming system.
6. The Little Known Childhood Whereabouts
Not a lot is known concerning Washington’s childhood. Although many biographers have invented and written a lot about the same, they have just filled the gap that many keep questioning. Childhood is the most poorly understood part.
7. The Father Died When Young
When George was 11 years old, his father passed on, and the older half-brothers of George took over the management of Augustine property. Lawrence, the half-brother, who had now inherited some part of the family plantation, played a crucial role in his upbringing.
8. A tale from his childhood
George’s father Augustine Washington raised horses and had immense love for them. After his death, his wife took charge of the horses and there was one particular horse which she loved the most. It was an untrained horse named “Colt.” When one day young George was playing with his friends in the pasture where this horse was kept, he decided to ride the horse. With the help of his friends, he managed to put bridle on the horse. Somehow George managed to seat on the horse but Colt erupted with rage and surprise. In the tussle between George and the horse, the horse tried its best to unseat him; and unfortunately in the attempt a blood vessel of his ruptured and it finally died of the injury. When George returned home; he bravely told his mother about the incident, and that he had killed the horse it an attempt to ride and train him. His mother was sorrowful yet she rejoiced in the fact that her son had told her the truth.
9. Gifted Though Not Educated
Unlike the elder brothers who had schooled back in England, Washington never had a formal education. He didn’t attend any college. George’s mother had plans to send him to England to finish his education. However, his father died when he was just 11, and during that time, the family had limited funds that would see him through formal education. George received the rest of his education in the colonies.
10. The Mother Refused to Let Him Be
George was in love with the military and wanted to be part of the British Navy. The mother was against the idea, and Washington was left to exploit other alternatives. It was then that he would turn to the survey, which he showed many capabilities.
11. George’s Math and Survey Prowess
George was gifted in mathematics. At the age of 16, he learned a lot concerning the land survey. He would accompany William Fairfax, a competent surveyor, to the Virginia frontier wilderness towards the western territory. It did not take long before he was appointed an official surveyor of Culpeper County. Almost 199 surveys are credited to Washington.
12. Washington Headed a Prominent Virginia Estate
At a very young age, 20 years, George headed the family Virginia Estates, which were among the most prominent in the area. It was after the elder brother, and his father inheritor, Lawrence, died of tuberculosis, leaving George as the heir of the family lands.
13. His Acquaintance Knowledge
Most of the skills that George Washington showcased in life was as a result of his acquaintance. Whether it was at an early age during the local church attendance, surveying, or through the woodsmen, and as a plantation foreman, he mastered a lot of things that kept him knowledgeable.
14. Value For Farming and Real Estate
Throughout George’s life, farming is one thing he has shown a lot of passion for. It is an honorable profession that made him an icon in Mount Vernon. He grew tobacco and wheat and experimented with different fertilizers like manure. The virtue is evident in not only the farms he owned but the many hectares he continued to acquire across New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Kentucky, and Ohio. He farmed over 3000 acres and ran the largest whiskey distillery in America, with the help of over 300 slaves.
Start of military career, marriage, health issues
15. George and Fairfax Family
George, during his youthful stage, had a lifelong relationship with the Fairfax family. He referred to the closeness as the happiest moments of his life. The social connections would later propel him to become a soldier, surveyor, and politician, while still young.
16. The Start of Military Career
When the French military started occupying the Ohio valley to protect the interest of their king, Washington was fast to show his aggressiveness and leadership qualities. The then Virginia Governor, Lieutenant Robert Dinwiddie, noticed Washington capabilities and appointed him as a significant adjutant within Virginia.
17. The Great Ohio Mission
French trappers and settlers had noted the commercial potential of the area because that’s where the rivers met, and they were aggressive to ensure they take control. George, who was only 21 years old then, commenced the journey past the Allegheny Mountains to command French withdrawal.
18. The Wins And Losses
While he was an aggressive general and the commander of Virginia troops at the age of 23, Washington has several accounts when he went to expeditions and was defeated. One time, the British secured a victory taking over the Ohio Valley and leaving behind deaths and wounded soldiers.
19. Washington First Love
Before the official marriage, Washington was in love with Sally Fairfax. Sally was the wife to one of the right and very close friends of Washington. He went ahead to write love letters that showed the affection that George had towards Sally.
20. Washington Married Martha
In 1759, January 6, Washington got into marriage. He married a beautiful woman that brought a lot of change, along with the two kids. Martha Dandridge came from Virginia’s Tidewater area. Although it was a second marriage, to George, it was his first.
21. Marriage Lasted for 40 Years
The marriage went ahead to last for 40 years, irrespective of the couple not adding more kids. His wife Martha, had kids from the previous relationship. Scientists now speculate that there might have been issues with Washington when it comes to fertility.
22. He Resigned Willingly from Army
After the 1758 war, when 14 were killed and 26 soldiers wounded, he decided to quit. It was a frustrating moment. His decision was because many choices on the military were slow, there was limited support, and his soldiers were poorly recruited.
23. Outstanding but Sickly
Although Washington showed dedication in everything he got his hands into, he had undergone several episodes of suffering health-wise. He had suffered from pneumonia, dysentery, smallpox, tuberculosis, among other illnesses.
24. George Washington Inherited Slaves
At only 11 years, he had already inherited slaves from his father. After retirement, he devoted energetically to take care of the landholdings. By the 1790s, there were over 300 slaves at Mount Vernon. Slavery was then legal.
25. He Loved Being Active
When running errands or during the days in the military, Washington loved horseback riding. Blueskin was the name of George Washington’s favorite horse. It was a gray horse and was one of the two primary mounts during the American Revolutionary War. Besides, he could go out for fishing excursions and hunting. Interestingly, even when off during the weekends, he would join the laborers on the farm.
26. No History of Wooden Teeth
Although Washington lost the first tooth when still in the twenties, there is no evidence that he had wooden teeth. According to the information recorded in his diary, at age 24, he paid 5 shillings to a “Doctr Watson” who removed one of his teeth. Due to dental woes, he had lost all his teeth in his fifties. He had dentures that were made of multiple materials like copper, silver, and ivory and not wood.
27. He Initiated the American Revolution
The British Proclamation Act of 1763 was not something to be happy about. It prohibited settling beyond the Alleghenies, and this hungered Washington to the extent of calling for colonial resistance, which brought about the American Revolution.
28. A General Without Competition
Although he didn’t seek any position, he was appointed as the commander of the continental army without serious competition. As the Major General and Commander-in-Chief of North American colonies against Great Britain, he headed the revolution firmly.
29. Penned a Signature on U.S Constitution
In 1787, Washington was among the individuals involved in drafting the U.S. constitution. Being the president of the Constitutional Convention that took place in Virginia, he was granted a chance to pen the first signature on the document.
. . . continue reading on the next page