GEORGE WASHINGTON

George Washington was born at a Family estate on the south bank of the Potomac river near the mouth of  pope’s creek, Westmoreland county, Virginia at 10am on February 22nd, 1732 (old style February 11th). His father was Augustine Washington(1694-1743) and his mother Mary Ball Washington(1709-1789). He had two half brothers-Lawrence Washington, surrogate father to George after the death of their father, and Augustine “Austin” Washington. George also had three brothers and one sister-Betty Lewis, Samuel, John Augustine and Charles Washington. 

His education as a child was in Virginia and it is unknown who his educator was. By age 11 he had picked up his basic writing and reading skills. Unlike most of the founding fathers Washington never found the time to learn French which was the language of diplomacy at that time. He never attend University. 

Washington married Martha Dandridge Custis at her estate, known as The White House. He was 26 and she was 27.He had no natural children; therefore no direct descendants of Washington survives. He adopted his wife’s two children from a previous marriage, John Parke Custis and Martha Parke Custis. 

Washington served in the Virginia militia(1752-1754, 1755-1758) rising from major to colonel, and as a commander in chief of the continental Army(1755-1783) with the rank of general. In July 1758 colonel Washington was elected as one of the two Frederick county representatives to the house of Burgesses. In 1789 He was elected president by unanimous vote of the 69 electors and in 1792 he was reelected. 

George Washington die December 14, 1799. He got a throat infection and fever due to exposition to the cold weather. 2 days before his death Washington took a horse ride around his plantation while snowing causing him to get sick

 

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