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George Washington Biography
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Biography: Life of George Washington
Born 1732, Died 1799; Served as 1st President of the United States 1789-1797.
George Washington was born on February 22, 1732 at Bridges Creek plantation, later known as Wakefield. Washington was probably tutored at home before going to Henry William’s school, which was one of the best in the Virginia colony.
Washington’s first job was as a surveyor for Lord Fairfax, being hired to survey his holdings beyond the Blue Ridge Mountains.
In 1753 Washington was made a major of militia by Governor Dinwiddie and sent to Fort Le Boeuf to protest to the French commander the building of French forts. As a lieutenant colonel Washington led the attack on the colonial fort at the juncture of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers which had been captured by the French and renamed Fort Duquesne. This attack began the French and Indian War. In 1755 Washington was made colonel and commander of all the Virginia militia forces.
On January 6, 1759 Washington married Martha Dandridge Custis, a widow with two children, who owned acres of farm and timber lands. After the marriage, he became a wealthy landowner, studying scientific farming.
The colonists began to talk of resistance to British rule and in 1769 the first step toward revolution was taken when Washington presented a plan to the Virginia House of Burgesses for boycotting British made goods.
Washington attended the First Continental Congress in 1774 with the Virginia delegation and the Second Continental Congress the following year. Based on his military experience and leadership abilities, in July 1775 Washington was given command of the Continental Army. For the next six years, General Washington led the hard and complex fight against the British. The fight was over in 1781 with the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. In 1783 Washington returned to Mount Vernon, which he had acquired upon the death of the widow of his half-brother Lawrence.
After the adoption of a new Constitution by the Continental Congress of 1787, it was obvious that Washington was the man most suited for the first presidency. On April 6, 1789, the results of the votes unanimously electing Washington were announced.
Washington took the oath as president on April 30, 1789 in New York City, the first capital of the new federal government. He took on the problems of national defense, national finance and recommended a board for the study and promotion of agriculture. In 1792 he was re-elected to a second term. Agreements were reached with England and Spain over disputed boundaries and forts were established along the western frontier to assure peace with the Indian tribes.
A tax on whiskey resulted in a rebellion by the farmers of western Pennsylvania. The Whiskey Rebellion was put down in 1794 when President Washington sent militia over the mountains and the rebels gave up. This action established the power of the federal government to raise money by taxation.
Due to his policy of peace with England, President Washington’s last years in office were met with political opposition. Being tired, he refused a third term and retired to Mount Vernon in 1797.
Washington’s last years were busy managing his farms and estates. He died on December 14, 1799 as a result of an illness brought on by exposure to the elements while riding over his farms. He is buried in the family vault at Mount Vernon.
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