I will start with the obvious when you hear the name Washington, Yes, George, the 1st President is in my family tree. Not direct because he had no children, but going up the line connects to a G- grandfathers down the line, and in fact there is a connection with the person that leads me also to another President - George Bush!
Prior to being President of the United States, Washington operated his plantations, and was a typical Virginia slave owner. In the 1760's, he stopped growing tobacco because it was unprofitable. He began to grow hemp and wheat. He then was milling flour, weaving cloth, and started distilling brandy. By the time of his death, there were 317 slaves at his Mount Vernon plantation.
Before the American Revolution, Washington expressed no moral reservations about slavery, but, by 1778, he had stopped selling slaves without their consent because he did not want to break up slave families. Washington often expressed a dislike of the institution of slavery. However he never criticized slavery in public. In fact, as President, Washington brought slaves to the Executive Mansion and rotated his household slaves between Mount Vernon and Philadelphia.
Washington was the only prominent, slave holding Founding Father to emancipate his slaves. He did not free his slaves while he was alive, but instead had a provision in his will to free his slaves after his wife passed away. His wife Martha owned a large number of slaves and Washington felt he couldn't free slaves that came to Mt. Vernon from his wife's estate. Martha freed slaves later in life as well.
Now, back to his political career and how he got involved. George Washington was appointed as District Adjutant General in the Virginia militia in 1752. This made him Major Washington at the age of 20. He was in charge of training the militia. At age 21 Washington became a Master Mason in the organization of Freemasons, a fraternal organization that was a lifelong influence.
George Washington was chosen to be the commander-in-chief of the American Revolutionary Forces in 1775. His well known crossing the Delaware River in New Jersey and defeating the surprised enemy units is shown in many paintings. As a result of his strategy, Revolutionary forces captured the two main British combat armies. He lead the Continental Army to victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783). The war ended in 1783 and he retired to his plantation on Mount Vernon.
George presided over the Philadelphia Convention that drafter the United States Constitution in 1787. He later in 1789 became the First President of the United States (1789-1797). The Electoral College elected Washington unanimously in 1789, and again in the 1792 election; he remains the only president to receive 100% of electoral votes. His salary was set at $25,000 a year which was a huge amount back in that time. However, because Washington was already a very wealthy man, and he believed himself as being a selfless public servant, he turned down the money. Congress however urged him to accept the payments because they didn't want this to cause future problems for other presidents to come to office.
He sought to create a great nation capable of surviving in a world torn by war between Britain and France. His Proclamation of Neutrality of 1793 provided a basis for avoiding any involvement in foreign conflicts.
It was his fault for a taxing system (I'm saying in jest). He implemented a tax system, and created the national bank. Washington reluctantly served for two terms, did not want to run for third. This ultimately started the term limits for the presidential positions.
Washington's farewell address was a primer on republican virtue and a stern warning against involvement in foreign wars. Washington is seen as a symbol of the United States and republicanism in practice. Washington died in 1799 primarily from pneumonia with his last words being "Tis well". Henry Lee said that of all Americans, he was "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." George Washington has been ranked by scholars as one of the greatest U.S. Presidents.
Next time I'll write about his father Captain Augustine Washington
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