Originally, this post was going to explore colonial America’s fear and fascination with lightning and the practical tools created to help prevent destructive lightning damage. During my research, however, I encountered a tale about Mary Ball Washington and a close encounter with lightning that supposedly traumatized her for the rest of her life. If true, … Continue reading The Legend of Mary Washington and the Deadly Lightning Strike
George Washington
George’s First Job
When visitors come to George Washington’s Ferry Farm, they can stand in what were once the fields of the Washington family’s farm, where they grew tobacco and other crops. While living here, Augustine Washington, George’s father, taught his sons – George, Samuel, John Augustine, and Charles – to see opportunity in land. Growing up at … Continue reading George’s First Job
“Ya Basic”: Washington and “The Bread and Butter Ball”
It was in February 1760 that George and Martha attended a ball that fell short of his expectations. As he somewhat whimsically recorded in his diary, the tables lacked linen, beverages were watered down, and the food offered compared to basic prison fare. In today’s slang, George might characterize the uninspiring party as, “Ya Basic,” … Continue reading “Ya Basic”: Washington and “The Bread and Butter Ball”
The President’s Cough
“The day being Rainy & Stormy – myself much disordered by a cold and inflammation in the left eye, I was prevented from visiting Lexington (where the first blood in the dispute with Great Britain) was drawn.” – George Washington, October 26, 1789 The sounds of sniffling, hacking, and sneezing, are everywhere, whether at a … Continue reading The President’s Cough
George Washington’s Taphophobia: The Fear of Being Buried Alive
On December 14, 1799, as George Washington lay in his final moments on his death bed, he told his secretary Tobias Lear what were likely his last words. Tobias recalled later: "About ten o'clk he made several attempts to speak to me before he could effect it, at length he said,--'I am just going. Have … Continue reading George Washington’s Taphophobia: The Fear of Being Buried Alive
Washington, Smallpox, and the Fight for Independence
Living in Colonial America, disease and illness were defining challenges and perpetual threats of human existence. At the time, there was no concept of infection or germ-theory, no vaccines, no really effective treatments for infectious disease and few public health measures that could reliably curb epidemics.[1] For colonial Americans, it was not a matter of … Continue reading Washington, Smallpox, and the Fight for Independence
When George Washington Almost Joined the British Royal Navy
Not long ago, we explored Three Military Adventures that Inspired George Washington and the influence that Lawrence Washington and his wartime service played in stoking George’s interest in military matters. Lawrence fought with the British in the War of Jenkins’ Ear in the early 1740s and spent time aboard the flagship of Admiral Edward Vernon, … Continue reading When George Washington Almost Joined the British Royal Navy
George’s Hometown: Kenmore
As George Washington’s Ferry Farm prepares to celebrate the reconstruction of the Washington house, we traveled around George’s hometown – Fredericksburg, Virginia – to visit a few places important in the transformation of George from boy to man. Fredericksburg remained important to George Washington throughout his life. It was the home of Mary Ball Washington, … Continue reading George’s Hometown: Kenmore
George’s Hometown: Masonic Lodge
As George Washington’s Ferry Farm prepares to celebrate the reconstruction of the Washington house, we traveled around George’s hometown – Fredericksburg, Virginia – to visit a few places important in the transformation of George from boy to man. In 1753, 21-year-old George Washington became a Master Mason having joined the Masonic Lodge in Fredericksburg the … Continue reading George’s Hometown: Masonic Lodge
George’s Hometown: Julian’s Tavern
As George Washington’s Ferry Farm prepares to celebrate the reconstruction of the Washington house, we traveled around George’s hometown – Fredericksburg, Virginia – to visit a few places important in the transformation of George from boy to man. Besides learning to survey and receiving his formal schooling, young George Washington also pursued an education in … Continue reading George’s Hometown: Julian’s Tavern
Lives & Legacies 