GEORGE WASHINGTON

THESIS

Coming from a modest family and not having a superior level of education, George Washington would prove worthy to become a true leader at a young age.

George Washington was born on February 22, 1732 in Colonial Virginia and was the first child of his fathers’ second marriage. His father, Augustine Washington and mother Mary Ball Washington were owners of a tobacco plantation and gained a reputation as being moderately prosperous. As a young boy, George Washington suffered many family tragedies with the loss of several of his siblings and by the age eleven the loss of his father. George Washington would have his older step/half brother Lawrence, who was an intelligent man, an experienced soldier and the owner by inheritance of his fathers’ land and responsibilities; raise and guide him, until he too would lose a battle with tuberculosis in 1752. (Haworth, 8-9) George Washington received an education in his town school as a boy. It was a simple school of that which could be afforded by the neighborhood. There he would learn the basic skills; reading, and writing. His father Augustine seemed to have more of an impact on his mind intellectually teaching George moral culture, virtue and inspired him to appreciate justice, generosity and most of all a love of truth. During this period, George’s brother Lawrence was away getting his education in England, which was not uncommon for the more prominent families to do. George would have followed in the tradition if his father did not pass early in his life. On the arrival of his brother after finishing his education, Lawrence became an immediate figure in George’s life. Lawrence would soon join in a military movement and would exchange letters with George, sharing his experiences in the events of war, only to build in his fourteen years younger brothers imagination and bring these ideas to school to reenact with his schoolmates. . (Irving, Ch. 2) After the death of his father when George was eleven, he was primarily raised by his mother Mary Ball Washington and as common as it were then, Mary never remarried. She was humble and yet an assertive woman and did her best as a widow to raise the children, reading books and giving lessons in morality and religion. George connected with these teachings and would use them, as they would become of some great benefit in his future. George’s desire to learn expanded and by the age of thirteen, he was curiously involved in copying bonds, receipts and sales, drafting contracts and keeping accounts of transactions between finances and government. This was great practice for him, especially in the property that he would inherit. Amongst his notes was a proliferation of poetry and lessons which quoted the “Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation”, which were teachings that date as far back as the fifteenth century. George Washington, even at a young age displayed a sense of compassion, as did his mother and an ability to use moral and ethical judgment. (Irving Ch 2)(Conway 1) Being the first born and oldest of a second marriage and reaching his mid-teens, George didn’t feel it was necessary to live at home. There was not much more he could learn by staying there and so by this time he had moved around living with different family members. Augustine, his half brother lived in Bridges Creek and Mt Vernon, where Lawrence would eventually reside and inherit after their mother had passed. Lawrence was very fond of George and with a paternal nature had accommodated his brother often. Lawrence had married a young lady of a neighbor, Anne, who at the time was fifteen years of age; she was the daughter of William Fairfax who in turn was the cousin of Lord Fairfax, a wealthy and prominent family. Lawrence, along with his father in-law William, would occasionally have the company of men at their home; friends that served along with Lawrence in the military. George would be fascinated listening to the stories told of the battles they endured, sitting amongst the group of officers, not allowing a word to escape him. The camaraderie would only influence his desire for the military and at any chance he had, he would always be with his brother Lawrence just to be close to that family/military oriented atmosphere. As George grew older so did his ambition to join the Navy and start his military career. It would be short lived as his mother could not find it in her heart to be separated from her first born; a decision that may have changed history. It would be another couple of years before George would have his independence. Although disappointed, George would make the best of his time, going back to school to further his education and prepare him for what the future would hold.(Irving Ch 3) George made a great impression on Lord Fairfax and the two would spend a great deal of time together, hunting fox and riding horses. George learned a great deal during this period and his respect and attention to detail would win Lord Fairfax’s respect for him. The bond was so magnificent that Lord Fairfax would call to George before his own blood. This would eventually earn George a position to work surveying the land owned by the Fairfax family. He was thrilled with this news and felt honored that with all he had learned over the years as a younger boy, he could pay homage to a great man that was once his father, who had taught him much of what he knew. George would spend the next two years traveling into the west. It was a time that he would gain confidence in all his skills. On his travels he would meet many people including Indians, but never did he feel he was in harm’s way. He would sleep in unfamiliar conditions, longing for a cushioned bed with cloth blankets and soft pillow instead of hard ground and straw and sometimes the warmth of a fire. George realized quickly that if there were anything that his knowledge lacked, it was how to be a woodsman. Nothing stopped him however; he would go on providing meals by the hunt and sometimes having them provided by folk he met along the way. To him, the reward of a doubloon a day was worth every pain staking moment, but more importantly the trials and tribulations would instill a virtue that would ultimately assist him later in his life and career. (Thayer Ch I) (Isely 21-22) After Georges’ travels with the survey of the Fairfax acreage, he joined his brother Lawrence in Mt Vernon. He grew into a slender but well built devout man, enjoying his time in social activity with the family, his own and the Fairfax’s, riding horses and hunting. He was happy to be home again and they were pleased to receive him. George, now having hands-on experience, had become the Culpeper County Surveyor and would survey over the next few years and stay close to what was now home to him. He made a good living working for the Fairfax’s, enough to eventually buy over five hundred and fifty acres at sixteen years of age. George was roughed by his expedition; surrounded by people that were not the ‘’common’’ types and picked up bad habits of self indulgence. Being home was a cure for his ill behaviors and eventually the surroundings in a familiar setting would polish his etiquette. (Irving Ch 4)(Lodge V I Ch 3) In 1751 Lawrence fell ill and with the advice of the family physicians, it was recommended that he spend time in a warmer climate. George was very concerned for his brother and chose to join him and travel to England. Unsuccessful, they soon turned toward Barbados. This would be George’s first trip in the Atlantic. After arriving and to make matters worse on this journey, George had become ill with smallpox. He didn’t let it stop him from enjoying himself however; after a month being bedridden and cared for by the local folk and his brother, he would recover within weeks. He made the best of his time moving about the island taking in the pleasures of a distant and unfamiliar place. He was excited about this trip and all he had learned. In his eyes the journey was a success despite his infection of smallpox. He was a young man who perceived to have the world at his finger tips. It wouldn’t be long before Lawrence, as his condition worsened, would become extremely homesick and longing for his wife and family. It was decided that George return home from Barbados to retrieve Lawrence’s wife. The trip took him over a month, arriving in February 1752. As time passed, Lawrence grew tired of waiting and owning nothing in Barbados, decided also to return home, even though he was not completely better. On his arrival he believed he would he would fully recover, but it was not meant to be. In May 1752, Lawrence, overcome with tuberculosis, rushed back to Barbados, but the climate was not the usual and would complicate his health even more so. Lawrence recognized his defeat and would return to his home in Mt Vernon where he would eventually pass. (Lodge V I Ch 3)(Irving Ch 6) In 1749, before Lawrence would become ill; George was introduced to two very talented men that knew his brother well; Adjutant Muse, who was qualified in war tactics and the manual of arms and the other, Jacob Van Braam a Dutch soldier of fortune who specialized in fencing and sword fighting. The intent was to ready George for a war that was brewing between the French and the English. Lawrence appointed George one of the adjutants general of Virginia with a rank of Major. While George and Lawrence were away, the French were growing aggressive with the strategy to close in on the forts in the Ohio country. They were in such numbers that it seemed impossible to stop them as they were slaughtering tribes of Indians in their path. With the pressure amounting, George, reappointed adjutant general of Virginia; the position his brother had prepared him for, was commissioned the task by Governor Dinwiddie to take control of this matter. George at twenty one years of age would take to his first military responsibility with great pride. Lord Fairfax was confident in the young man, preaching that if any one man could handle such a feat, it would be no other than George himself. (Lodge V I Ch 3) In 1753 George Washington would leave behind his newly inherited estate with a group of Virginian frontiersmen and his brothers trusted swordsman Van Braam, who would also be of good use as an interpreter. Together they would journey toward the hostile and inflamed area of Ohio to warn the French off the land that belonged to the King of England. George with his calm spirit and educated tongue was able to influence Indian tribe leaders to travel along with them to help their cause. As they pushed ahead, they would confront deserters of the French Army and obtain valuable information as to expeditions from military outposts of New Orleans. As George pressed on, the education, training and experience he possessed flourished and the man who would become known as the father of the United States was in the making. As he reached his objective in delivering the Governors letter involving peace negotiations between the French, English and the Indians, George would have no choice but to wait for a response before heading back. The following days were of heated debate between the councils of the chevalier and his officers over the letter. As Washington waited for a response he occupied himself observing and taking notes of the plan, dimensions, and strength of the fort, and of everything about it. He gave orders to his people, also, to take an exact account of the boats that were available for use and how many others were in the process of construction. (Irving Ch 8)

The weather continued to get worse during their stay and their horses were suffering the severity of the cold; George decided that it be wise to send them off early to await his return by water. George was growing weary of his men and his own safety, as rumor was brewing amongst the crowds. There was some talk about a threat to abandon the King. It was his immediate duty to urge the chiefs to renounce their dependence on the French, but it was to no avail; the Chevalier did not accept the Wampum Chiefs statements and thought it best to keep peace between them so that their trade would go uninterrupted. George had an overwhelming feeling that the French wouldn’t comply with the terms they set forth. Although his position in the matter completed, George wanted to be assured that the men he arrived with would join him on the venture back. In the end, George would prove to be patient but vigilant. He convinced the half King to leave with them and journey back the next day, as he was delayed now in his affairs.(Irving Ch 8) The travel back almost cost him his life on several occasions avoiding French allied Indians that wanted to ambush him and almost succumbing to hypothermia after a fall into icy water; but again George’s patience, ability to remain calm and logical perception would afford him his return home to Virginia safely where he was showered with praise and glory. He was the man of the hour and in his mind so were all that had shown great confidence in him throughout the years. This would become a new beginning for George as he soon would be appointed lieutenant colonel of a Virginian regiment. (Thayer Ch I) (Lodge V I Ch 3) George Washington would continue in the military; his career would be a dramatic chain of events, tremendous victories and more often upsetting defeats. Although most people remember his failures in the military, we shouldn’t forget how this once young boy transformed into a great leader. Since he was a child, he had a desire to learn. He was inquisitive and had a love for knowledge that most young men are without; a young man that wouldn’t let an opportunity pass by. More amazingly are the family tragedies that occurred while he was growing older; how he suffered the loss of siblings and his father. Even today with the loss of loved ones it would be difficult to move forward with oneself without the proper guidance He would be burdened to hold such emotions inside his heart. He was fortunate however, that he was given time with some of these family members so that he could have the knowledge instilled in him at a young age. Not many documents were uncovered that would go into great detail about George Washington when he was a boy. His notes and memoirs would not hold any sign of self reflection. We can, without any doubt, get a perspective of this man then child, by his ability to stay focused and with great determination and prudence, create a path that would change the world forever. In him we can see his father Augustine with his love for farming and agriculture, his brother Lawrence with his fascination in the military and his mother by his being humble and moral. His astuteness would win over powerful men like Lord Fairfax and his family, giving him the opportunity to carry out responsibilities at sixteen years of age. He had a reputation as being ethical and compassionate, a real humanitarian. It is hard to find such qualities in any person much less a child to this day. It was evident that George was a leader as a child. It was a credit to his family that he would continue a great legacy of the Washington name. His love for his people, family and country shows his spirit of allegiance, an attribute deserving to those who would sacrifice as much as he did. When his brother took ill, he was by his side to care for him, giving up an opportunity to go off into the Navy. Lawrence was fond and proud of him and George was not going to disappoint Lawrence at whatever cost. He looked up to his brother, for he was his motivation. George Washington was not a shy person in his childhood, on the contrary he was adventurous with an insatiable curiosity. He may not have had the Education of the Appleby School in England that his brother had, but what he lacked he would make up for in confidence and a protagonistic plan of action.

Thomas Jefferson had stated this about George Washington:
“Perhaps the strongest feature in his character was prudence, never acting until every circumstance, every consideration, was maturely weighed; refraining if he saw a doubt, but, when once decided, going through with his purpose, whatever obstacles opposed. His integrity was most pure, his justice the most inflexible I have ever known, no motives of interest or consanguinity, of friendship or hatred, being able to bias his decision. He was, indeed, in every sense of the words, a wise, a good, and a great man. His temper was naturally high toned; but reflection and resolution had obtained a firm and habitual ascendancy over it. If ever, however, it broke its bonds, he was most tremendous in his wrath. In his expenses he was honorable, but exact; liberal in contributions to whatever promised utility; but frowning and unyielding on all visionary projects and all unworthy calls on his charity...His person, you know, was fine, his stature exactly what one would wish, his deportment easy, erect and noble; the best horseman of his age, and the most graceful figure that could be seen on horseback. On the whole, his character was, in its mass, perfect, in nothing bad, in few points indifferent; and it may truly be said, that never did nature and fortune combine more perfectly to make a man great, and to place him in the same constellation with whatever worthies have merited from man an everlasting remembrance. For his was the singular destiny and merit, of leading the armies of his country successfully through an arduous war, for the establishment of its independence; of conducting its councils through the birth of a government, new in its forms and principles, until it had settled down into a quiet and orderly train; and of scrupulously obeying the laws through the whole of his career, civil and military, of which the history of the world furnishes no other example. These are my opinions of General Washington, which I would vouch at the judgment seat of God, having been formed on an acquaintance of thirty years. I felt on his death, with my countrymen, that "verily a great man hath fallen this day in Israel."
-Thomas Jefferson, January 2, 1814
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Haworth, Paul Leland. George Washington: Farmer; Being an Account of His Home Life and Agricultural Activities,. Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill, 1915. Print.
Irving, Washington. Life of George Washington. Vol. I. Leipzig: Tauchnitz, 1856. Print.
Isely, Bliss. The Horseman of the Shenandoah; a Biographical Account of the Early Days of George Washington. Milwaukee: Bruce Pub., 1962. Print.
Lodge, Henry Cabot. George Washington. Vol. I. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1889. Print.
Lodge, Henry Cabot. George Washington. Vol. II. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1889. Print.
Thayer, William Roscoe. George Washington,. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1922. Print.
Washington, George, and Moncure Daniel Conway. George Washington's Rules of Civility: Traced to Their Sources and Restored. London: Chatto & Windus, 1890. Print.