After George Washington died on December 14, 1799, his wife, Martha, burned all of their correspondence. From the perspective of a historian, her decision devastates. However, it was a common 18th century practice for married couples to burn personal correspondence after the death of one spouse. Perhaps it was a way for the surviving spouse … Continue reading “Your Entire George Washington”: The Affection Between George and Martha
George Washington
Family Leaders Guiding a Younger Generation: George and Betty’s Letters
George Washington was the oldest of Augustine and Mary Washington’s five children. The next oldest was daughter Betty, who was born 14 months after George and was his only sister. George and Betty are immensely important to us at George Washington’s Ferry Farm & Historic Kenmore. They spent their formative years at Ferry Farm and … Continue reading Family Leaders Guiding a Younger Generation: George and Betty’s Letters
George Washington’s “Last Act of Personal Duty”
The Presidential election of 1789 looked quite different than our current election day. For one, the election had to last almost a month to ensure that each state had time for their voters to choose their candidate. Then, in February, the Electoral College announced that Washington would be the first president with a resounding 69 … Continue reading George Washington’s “Last Act of Personal Duty”
Siblings Strained by Revolution: George and Betty’s Wartime Letters
George Washington was the oldest of Augustine and Mary Washington’s five children. The next oldest was daughter Betty, who was born 14 months after George and was his only sister. George and Betty are immensely important to us at George Washington’s Ferry Farm & Historic Kenmore. They spent their formative years at Ferry Farm and … Continue reading Siblings Strained by Revolution: George and Betty’s Wartime Letters
True or False? Test Your Knowledge of George Washington!
True or False? George Washington was born in England in 1732? FALSE – Although technically he was born a subject of the King on “English” soil, George was born on his father’s farm on Pope’s Creek in Westmoreland County in the English colony of Virginia in 1732. The site is now the George Washington Birthplace … Continue reading True or False? Test Your Knowledge of 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
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 House at Ferry Farm [Photos]
The Washington house at Ferry Farm is now open for tours! Using information from the probate inventory and archaeological evidence, the interpretive replica of George Washington’s boyhood home is currently being furnished with replica furniture and ceramics. You can read an in-depth post about the house here and below you will find photos that provide … Continue reading Washington House at Ferry Farm [Photos]
Washington House at Ferry Farm Now Open for Tours
The Washington house at Ferry Farm is now open for tours. The interpretive replica of George Washington’s boyhood home is an interactive and hands-on experience for all ages, where visitors can experience what life was like in the eighteenth century. Using information from the probate inventory and archaeological evidence, the Washington house is currently being … Continue reading Washington House at Ferry Farm Now Open for Tours
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
Lives & Legacies 