Guest Author - Linda Sue Grimes

Childhood
George Washington was born to Augustine and Mary Ball Washington February 22, 1732, on his father’s plantation near Popes Creek in Westmoreland County, Virginia. George was the first of six children born to Augustine and Mary Washington. By his first wife Jane Butler Washington, Augustine also had three children, two sons Lawrence and Augustine, Jr, and one daughter Jane.

His family moved from the Popes Creek Plantation to Little Hunting Creek Plantation, which was later renamed Mount Vernon and became Washington home. But before settling down at Mount Vernon, he moved with his family to Ferry Farm, a plantation on the Rappahannock River near Fredericksburg, Virginia; it was here that George spent most of his childhood. His older, half-brother, Lawrence, lived at Mount Vernon.

Not much factual information is known about the first president’s childhood; that is probably why so many legends have grown up around his early life, such as the chopping down the cherry tree tale that has been disputed, and that he threw a silver dollar across the Potomac, an impossible feat.

George had a rudimentary education. Because of the death of his father when George was only eleven years old, George received less education than most boys of his gentry class received. He was unable to go to England to finish his schooling as most gentry boys did. He later tried to make up for his lack of schooling by extensive reading, and he always prized education as important asset.

Adulthood
Lawrence suggested that George join the British Navy, probably as way of seeing the world, improving his education, and procuring an interesting career, but because George was only fourteen years old, his mother would not give consent. So George became a land surveyor, which, by the time he was seventeen turned out to be satisfying and useful career for him. He worked hard and bought land in his effort to fit into the gentry class.

George traveled with his brother Lawrence to Barbados after Lawrence contracted tuberculosis. There George saw military installations and became interested in the military after speaking with British soldiers. He came down with small pox but quickly recovered; however, it is thought that the disease render him sterile, because he and his later wife, Martha, had no natural children.

After Lawrence died, George inherited the plantation called Mount Vernon, which later became the famous home of the first president. George also took Lawrence’s place in the Virginia militia as a major; this was the beginning of George’s important military career.

Not only is George Washington noted as the first president, he is also America’s first hero, because of his extensive military experience. Although he lost many battles in military career, he helped win the most important ones, and his compatriots admired him for it.

The Presidency
George Washington presided over the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and when it came time to elect a president of the country, his naturally looked to him to fill that position. He was unanimously elected president in 1789, the only president to be so elected. Organizing the executive branch of government fell to the first president; he chose Alexander Hamilton, as Secretary of the Treasury, Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State, and Henry Knox, as Secretary of War. James Madison was one of his most trusted advisors. This assembly of men represented some of the most talented and capable minds of time.

Washington served two terms, and he has been admired and held as an example of integrity for turning down the offer of serving a third term. It has been said that he could have been king or dictator had he chosen. But his love for freedom and his desire for his country to be republic guaranteed his refusal for such undemocratic positions.

Washington died December 14, 1799 and was entombed on the Mount Vernon estate.

Reference:
George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens

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Books by Linda Sue Grimes:

Singing in the Silence: Poems of Faith

In 1978, I began studying the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda. I still study those teachings and strive to practice what I learn. I think of my writing as an extension and reinforcement of my spiritual studies. I am especially happy when the poems focus on my spiritual journey, as those in this volume do. I want to take sadness and turn it into joy, and I want to take anger and turn it into acceptance. But mostly, I want to acknowledge the beauty and mystery of God's presence in creation.


Jiggery Jee's Eden Valley Stories

Hello, my name is Jiggery-Jee. I live in Eden Valley. Eden Valley is located in the very center of the Land of the Imagination. Surrounding Eden Valley are such places as Tulip Grove, Carrot Valley, Bunnyville, Faultner Grove, and Flower Town. We have many residents in Eden Valley who came to the Valley from the surrounding places. They come here because Eden Valley is peaceful. All of the residents of Eden Valley work and play and live in an atmosphere of harmony. The weather is always perfect; the sun shines when we need sun, and the rain rains when we need rain. However, I must warn you that although things really are peaceful and harmonious in Eden Valley, sometimes they do not start out that way; we often have to work to make life peaceful and harmonious.
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