George Washington's Family Life

C. Shoshany 11x

History December 4, 2007

Family Life of George Washington

George Washington was one of the most important figures in American history. Often referred to as the "father of liberty and freedom," George Washington was born on February 22, 1732. He was born in Westmoreland, Virginia and was the son of Augustine and Mary Ball Washington. Known facts about his childhood prove that George was a hardworking and dedicated person. Through his lifetime he accomplished so much as both a General and later as the first President of the United States.

George was a part of a large family with many siblings, five brothers and one sister. The names of his brothers were Augustine, Lawrence, Samuel, John Augustine and Charles; George’s sister was named Betty. George’s father, Augustine, had been previously married so in addition, George had two half-brothers from that marriage. His grandfather was named Lawrence Washington. George was tall and strong as a child and he received a pony from his father as a gift and learned how to ride. At school, George was taught by a minister how to read, write, and do sums; however George had a difficult time with spelling. George’s father died when he was only eleven years old, so his half-brother Lawrence taught him how to hunt and shoot. At age sixteen George became a surveyor, and surveyed the land to the west of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

George Washington married Martha Curtis, who already had two young children, Patsy and Jackie, from a previous marriage. They lived on a plantation called Mt. Vernon, which became his lifetime home. George and Martha then adopted two other children. George was considered a gentleman farmer because he preferred the quiet plantation life over the political life. Over the course of his lifetime, George increased the size of the Mt. Vernon plantation from 2000 acres to 8000 acres, and changed the original tobacco crop to wheat. George Washington died at age sixty seven on December 14, 1799, after living a life full of achievements.

Bibliography:

http://www.clements.umich.edu/Exhibits/g.washington/case.05/case05.html

http://www.indianchild.com/george_washingtonhtm

http://gwpapers.virginia.edu/project/faq/index.html

www.history.com