Home: Mount Vernon, Virginia

Education: Private Tutoring by family.

Religion: Episcopalian

Occupation before Presidency: Surveyor, soldier, planter.

Military Service: Virginia Militia (1752-1758); Commander-in-Chief of Continental Army 1775-1783).

Pre-Presidential Offices:

Member of Virginia House of Burgesses Justice of Fairfax County, Delegate to First and Second Continental Congresses, President of Constitutional Convention.

Age at Inauguration: 57

First Administration:

Vice‑President: John Adams, Inauguration April 30, 1789, Federal Hall, New York, New York.

Second Administration:

Vice‑President: John Adams, Inauguration March 4, 1793, Federal Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Occupation after Presidency: Planter and General of the Army

Death: Mount Vernon, Virginia, December 14, 1799

Cause of Death: Pneumonia at age 67

Place of Burial: Mount Vernon, Virginia

 Interesting Facts: 

• A famous story relates how Washington, as a boy, admitted chopping down his father's cherry tree, with the words "Father, I cannot tell a lie." The tale was probably invented to show the great man's love of the truth.

• Washington gave the shortest inaugural address of all the Presidents, speaking only one hundred thirty-five words at his second inaugural.

• George Washington maintained five separate farms at his Mount Vernon Estate.

• Of the many statues of Washington, the only one rendered from life is that which stands in the Rotunda of the Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.

• On April 30, 1789, George Washington, stood on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York and took his oath of office as the first President of the United States. Washington wrote to James Madison, "As the first of every thing, in our situation will serve to establish a Precedent, it is devoutly wished on my part, that these precedents may be fixed on true principles."

• Washington pursued two intertwined interests: military arts and western expansion. At the age of 16 he helped survey Shenandoah lands for Thomas, Lord Fairfax. In 1754 he was commissioned a lieutenant colonel, and fought the first skirmishes of what would become the French and Indian War. In 1755, as an aide to General Edward Braddock, he escaped injury when four bullets ripped through his coat and two horses were shot from under him.

• From 1759 to the outbreak of the American Revolution, Washington managed his lands around Mount Vernon and served in the Virginia House of Burgesses.

• In May 1775 when the Second Continental Congress assembled in Philadelphia, Washington, as one of the Virginia delegates, was elected Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. On July 3, 1775, at Cambridge, Massachusetts, he took command of his ill-trained troops and embarked upon a war that was to last six terrible years.

• Washington soon realized that the best scheme was to harass the British, and reported to Congress, "we should on all Occasions avoid a general Action, or put anything to the Risque, unless compelled by a necessity, into which we ought never to be drawn."

• In 1781 with the aid of French allies, Washington forced the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown.

• After the war, Washington yearned to retire to his fields at Mount Vernon. But he soon realized that the Nation under its Articles of Confederation was not functioning well, so he became a prime mover in the steps leading to the Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia in 1787. When the new Constitution was ratified, the Electoral College unanimously elected Washington President.

• Washington unfortunately only enjoyed less than three years of retirement at Mount Vernon, contracting a throat infection, which led to his death December 14, 1799.

Washington and His Teeth

           One of the most widely accepted rumors is that which people say about his teeth, or shall we say, lack of.  Contrary to popular myth, his dentures were not made of wood.  Washington's natural politeness served him well when dealing with his painful false teeth. It was said by John Adams that Washington attributed the misfortune of his toothlessness to "cracking of walnuts in his youth.@ 

In 1797, Washington wrote the following letter to his dentist, Dr. John Greenwood: 

@Sir: I must again resort to you for assistance‑‑The teeth herewith enclosed have, by degrees, worked loose; and, at length, two or three of them have given away altogether‑‑I would thank you for returning them as soon as possible for although I now make use of another set, they are both uneasy in the mouth and bulge my lips out in such a manner as to make them appear considerably swelled . . . Send with the teeth, springs about a foot in length, but not cut; and about double that length of a tough gold wire, the size you see with the teeth, for fastening the springs‑‑Accompany the whole with your account, and the amount shall be immediately sent by post in a bank note.  

I am Sir 

 Your very Hble Servant." 

Washington's Rules of Civility

In keeping with Washington's outstanding manners and writings, is his work titled, "George Washington's Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation,"  Washington wrote this wonderful collection as a school project, before he reached his 16^th birthday.  This charming collection consists of 110 Rules.  Here I offer you the first ten, written exactly as Washington wrote them: 

1.            Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present. 

2.            When in Company, put not your Hands to any Part of the Body, not usually Discovered. 

3.            Shew Nothing to your Friend that may affright him. 

4.            In the Presence of Others Sing not to yourself with a humming Noise, nor Drum with your Fingers or Feet. 

5.            If you Cough, Sneeze, Sigh, or Yawn, do it not Loud but Privately; and Speak not in your Yawning,

               but put Your Handkerchief or and before your face and turn aside. 

6.            Sleep not when others Speak, Sit not when others stand, Speak not when you Should hold your Peace, walk not when

               others  Stop. 

7.            Put not off your Cloths in the presence of Others, nor go out your Chamber half drest.

8.            At Play and at Fire its Good manners to Give Place to the last Commer; and affect not to Speak Louder than Ordinary. 

9.            Spit not in the Fire, nor Stoop low before it, neither Put your Hands into the Flames to warm them, nor Set your Feet

                upon the Fire especially if there be meat before it. 

10.          When you Sit down, Keep your Feet firm and Even, without putting one on the other or Crossing them.   

Washington's Letter's

Among the attributes that made George Washington so special and knowledgeable, are his writings.  While there are approximately 65,000 letters in the Library of Congress, one of the most enjoyable to read was that which he wrote to his wife Martha on June 23^rd, 1775. This letter is one of only two known to survive, because shortly before her death, Martha destroyed her letters from George.  It is not known whether these were overlooked or deliberately spared.  It is understandable that Martha, I surmise, desired to protect the privacy between her and her husband conveyed within the letters. However, it is fortunate that these two survived, as it gives a wonderful insight into the mind of Washington, toward his wife and family. 

This letter below was written just moments before A General Washington set out on a journey that would lead through peril to victory and a shining place in history.@

Phil'aPhila, June 23'd, 1775

 My dearest,

           As I am within a few Minutes of leaving this City, I could not think of departing from it without dropping you a line, especially as I do not know whether it may be in my power to write again till I get to the camp at Boston. I go fully trusting in that Providence, which has been more bountiful to me than I deserve, & in full confidence of a happy meeting with you sometime in the Fall. I have not time to add more, as I am surrounded with Company to take leave of me. I retain an unalterable affection for you, which neither time or distance can change. My best love to Jack & Nelly, & regards for the rest of the Family, concludes me with the utmost truth & sincerity. 

Yr. entire 

Go. Washington 

                 Interestingly, Washington had problems getting clothes to fit properly.  Prior to the American Revolution, he would place orders with English tailors, however, they had never seen him or measured him. Thus, when he ordered suits in 1763 from a London tailor, he gave the following instructions: 

"I would have you therefore take measure of a gentleman who wears well‑made clothes of the following size‑‑to wit‑‑six feet high & proportionally made; if anything rather slender than thick for a person of that height and pretty long arms & thighs‑‑You will take care to make the breeches longer than those you sent me last..."Clothes that are tight always look awkward and are uneasy to the Wearer."  

When Washington was President, he tried whenever possible to order clothes and other products that were made in America.

Visiting Mount Vernon 

              Having visited Mount Vernon about a dozen times, it is truly worth the trip.  In addition to the Mansion, visitors may also enjoy the following areas on the grounds. As you enter the property from the main parking lot, you will find the Purple Heart Memorial. As you pass through the gates you are met by the Museum Shop, followed by the Greenhouse and the Archaeology & Restoration Museum. Continuing on toward the Mansion House is the George Washington Museum. This museum is newly renovated and offers a look at many of Washington's personal possessions.  Included are the silver spurs he wore during the Revolution, and his famous pistol.  Also included is the family's silver and china they used for entertaining, and elegant jewelry worn by Martha. Here visitors may also see the Houdon Bust, considered the best likeness of Washington ever created. 

From this point visitors can enjoy the Ice House, Overseer's Quarters, Spinning Room, Salt House, Gardener's House and the Servant's Hall. Next visitor's enter the Mansion Circle, directly in front of the Mansion House. 

Upon entering the Mansion, the tour reveals George Washington's creativity as an architect and designer. Each of the 14 rooms is open to the public for viewing and has been painstakingly restored and furnished based on the 1799 inventor.  Featured are objects used by the Washington family as well as 18^th century antiques similar to those that would have been found in their home at that time. 

As one exits, you'll find the Kitchen area, followed by the Smokehouse, Wash House, and Coach House, which contains Washington's Powell Coach and Lord Fairfax's Riding Chair. Located East down a steep incline from the garden is Washington's Old Tomb. 

Next you will find the Stables and Paddock, next to the beautiful fruit garden and nursery. From this point, if one travels East toward the Potomac River, you will find the wharf which highlights Potomac River Sightseeing Cruises, in season. Looking back toward the West, visitors will find the Slave Memorial and within a short distance is Washington's New Tomb.  Here lie the remains of Washington and his wife Martha. 

Copyright © 1992-2022 by John T. Marck. Grateful appreciation is extended to the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association for their informational assistance with this article. Additional information noted in quotations herein from the Mount Vernon Handbook, Copyright  1974, 1985, 1998, 2001, The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association and A George Washington's Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation," Copyright 1732-1799 by George Washington, published by The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, 1989. Also from "The Presidents of the United States,” and “The First Ladies of the United States,” by John T. Marck.