George Washington the first President born in Wakefield, Virginia. George Washington's father died when he was only eleven years old. He studied mathematics and surveying before he went to live with his brother Lawrence Washington at Mount Vernon.

George Washington surveyed the lands of Lord William Fairfax, and in this position, he crossed the "Blue Ridge Mountains", learning the ways of the frontiersmen and Indians. When his brother Lawrence died in 1752, George inherited Mount Vernon as his own.

George Washington began his military career when British Governor Dinwiddie made him a Lieutenant Colonel in the Virginia militia. During the "French and Indian War", Lieutenant Colonel Washington was sent to the Ohio frontier. He enjoyed frontier life, rode beautifully, and engaged well in soldiering, but his two battle experiences ended in defeat.

In 1754, the French captured a half-built fort and used it as a headquarter from which they beat Lieutenant  Colonel Washington's militia at "Great Meadows". In the following year, Lieutenant Colonel Washington was an aide to General Braddock when he was defeated near Fort Duquesne, at least partly because General Braddock would not accept Lieutenant Colonel Washington's advice about frontier engagements.  Three years later, Lieutenant Colonel Washington helped take Fort Duquesne from the French.

After George Washington's marriage to Martha Dandridge Custis, George Washington lived at Mount Vernon. He had been loyal to Great Britain, but when the "Stamp Act" was imposed, he sided with his fellow Virginians who were protesting Great Britain's treatment of the Colonies. George Washington was made commander of Virginia troops before the "American Revolution" broke out and Commander-in-Chief of the "Revolutionary Army" in 1775.

The success of the "American Revolution" was largely because of George Washington's leadership. Through tremendous hardships, he was the one steadfast force that held the Army and the country together. When the "American Revolution" was over, George Washington's fondest wish was to retire to Mount Vernon, but htis wish was short-lived. In 1787 George Washington was called upon again to preside over the Constitutional Convention, and after the Constitution was ratified, he was unanimously elected our First President.

The "Bill of Rights" was adopted, a National Bank was established, and a tax was imposed to raise money for the country. Not all of these measures were popular. Some members of the government began to take sides and split into parties. Alarmed by this development, now President George Washington consented to serve a second term. This term was stormy, but President Washington was firm in proclaiming United States neutrality in the "French Revolution" in spite of opposition.

President George Washington also persuaded the Senate to ratify the "Jay Treaty" with Great Britain although it did not satisfy many American complaints against British interference in American affairs. President Washington, having refused a third term, retired to Mount Vernon again in 1797 and died there of a sore throat and high fever two years later.

                         God Bless America!

Written by:
Karen Palumbo
Photography "NOT" by
Robert Palumbo
1/6/2010 (c)