George Washington was the first President of the United States. It was a long road to his first inauguration on April 30, 1789. Washington was a determined man. He possessed good character and a strong moral virtue.
In this article, we will take a look Washington’s life leading up to 1773. There is a lot to learn and study about this remarkable man, who can rightly claim the title as father of our nation.
Early Years and Family Background (1732-1743)
George Washington came from humble beginnings. He was born at his father’s farm along Popes Creek on February 22, 1732 (February 11 based off the Julian calendar). Popes Creek is in Westmoreland County, Virginia.
His parents, Augustine and Mary Ball Washington, belonged to the colonial gentry. Augustine’s first wife, Jane, died and Mary Ball Washington was his second wife. As a result, George had several half siblings including his influential brothers, Lawrence and Augustine Jr. George revered and looked up to Lawrence. In fact, he inherited Mount Vernon from Lawrence’s widow after her death in 1761.
On his property at Popes Creek, Augustine Washington was a tobacco farmer. Tobacco was the dominant “cash crop” in colonial Virginia. It was labor intensive, and Washington’s father owned slaves. The enslaved laborers helped plant and harvest the tobacco. As a result, George Washington was born and grew up in a world in which slavery was normal. In fact, it had been a common practice throughout human history. During his life, George Washington’s views on slavery changed as the nation he founded was built on principles which are fundamentally incompatible with any political, economic, or social system in which one man tries to claim dominion over another.
George’s father died when he was eleven years old. After his death, Augustine left George a small inheritance that included land near Fredericksburg, VA and ten slaves. George Washington spent his early years at Popes Creek, Fredericksburg, and at the property on Little Hunting Creek, which was the house and land that became Mount Vernon.
Education and Surveying Career (1743-1752)
George Washington was one of the few founding fathers without a formal education. Thomas Jefferson went to William & Mary. John Adams went to Harvard. James Madison went to the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University). But Washington? Let’s call it the school of the hard knocks! Or what we might call “street smarts.”
But Washington was very smart. He may have had some insecurities about his lack of a college degree. However, he was a man that worked tirelessly to educate himself. When he was a young, he studied a book called the Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation. He was interested in developing a strong moral character through the cultivation of virtue.
Furthermore, Washington learned math including subjects like geometry and trigonometry. His first professional occupation was as a land surveyor. At the age of 16, he was employed by Lord Fairfax, 6th Baron of Cameron. In this job, Washington surveyed the vast Fairfax land holdings which spanned nearly 5.2 million acres!
As a surveyor, Washington learned essential skills like how to read and analyze terrain. He also became accustomed to a rugged lifestyle that included navigating the wild western frontier. As a result, Washington’s experience as a surveyor influenced his future career as a soldier.
Military Engagements and Leadership (1753-1758)
George Washington’s military career began in 1753. Virginia Governor Dinwiddie appointed him Lieutenant Colonel in the Virginia militia and gave him a diplomatic mission. At this time, the French occupied land west of the Alleghany mountains in the Ohio Valley. France and Britain had conflicting claims to what was known as the Ohio Country. Dinwiddie sent Washington as an envoy to tell the French to withdraw from the land claimed by the British. Washington carried out his mission but was told by the French that they weren’t going anywhere. Thus, the stage was set for a showdown on the American frontier.
The following year, 1754, Washington was sent on a similar mission. However, this time he was authorized to use military force if necessary. In fact, he did find it necessary. Washington and his Native American allies attacked a contingent of French forces and killed a young officer named Jumonville. Washington’s first military engagement is known as the Battle of Jumonville Glen.
Tensions continued to escalate. Washington and his forces occupied Fort Necessity and were subsequently defeated by French forces, who surrounded the fort. Washington and his forces surrendered and went back to Virginia.
At this point, the war escalated to the point where the British sent two regiments to American under the command of General Edward Braddock. Washington became an aide-de-camp to General Braddock, who sought out Washington’s expertise and experience on the frontier. Braddock’s campaign left Alexandria, Virginia in April 1755. The objective initially was to defeat the French at Fort Duquesne near modern day Pittsburgh, PA.
However, Braddock and his troops were badly beaten at the disastrous Battle of the Monongahela on July 9, 1755. Braddock died on July 13. Washington did demonstrate his leadership and bravery. He helped lead a withdrawal of Braddock’s defeated forces. In fact, Washington demonstrated courage under fire as he had two horses shot from under him. He was also shot through his coat four times but not hit.
After the Braddock Campaign, Washington took command of the entire Virginia regiment and had the difficult task of defending Virginia’s frontier. This experience provided a strong foundation for Washington’s future role as an American general. He had to recruit, train, and discipline militia troops. He also had to feed and equip the militia. As a result, Washington developed necessary skills in the management of an army.
The British captured Fort Duquesne in 1758 under General Forbes. Washington also played a role in helping Forbes, but the French did not put up a significant fight in 1758. Overall, Washington’s military service during the French and Indian War greatly influenced his future as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. The 2nd Continental Congress selected him because of his record of leadership and the military skills he acquired during the French and Indian War.
Transition to Politics and Plantation Life (1759-1773)
After his hard service, Washington was ready to settle down. He met a very wealthy widow named Martha Dandridge Custis in 1758. Martha was a good, strong woman,. After her after her first husband, Daniel Custis, died, Martha had many suitors looking to win her heart. When George met her, the two had a short courtship and were married on January 6, 1759.
After their marriage, George and Martha moved to Mount Vernon in 1759. George’s half-brother Lawrence had died in 1752. Since Lawrence’s death, Washington had leased Mount Vernon from Lawrence’s widow, Anne Fairfax. When Anne died in 1761, George inherited the property outright.
During the 1760s, Washington focused on managing and growing his plantation at Mount Vernon. Under his management, Washington shifted Mount Vernon from tobacco production to other crops like wheat and corn. Unlike tobacco, these crops did not wear out the land and were less labor intensive.
Washington also got involved in politics as a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. He served in this role from 1758 until 1774 at the outset of the American Revolution. As a member of the colonial legislature, Washington began to understand and appreciate the political process. It was valuable experience for his future role as commander-in-chief in which he had to work with the Continental Congress. Furthermore, during this time, his frustrations with British policy increased and shaped his political beliefs.
By 1773, Washington was frustrated with the British but was not quite at the point of pushing for a permanent separation. Nevertheless, the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 1773, and the British response in the wake of it would change Washington’s mind. Over the course of 1774, Washington’s views changed dramatically and by the time he attended the 2nd Continental Congress in June 1775, George Washington was ready for war.
Learn More
Take a trip to Popes Creek and discover where George Washington was literally born.
Visit Mount Vernon and learn more about George Washington’s life at Mount Vernon.
Visit Alexandria, Virginia and take a tour of George Washington’s Alexandria with Alexandria History Tours.
Check out our previous post on visiting the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, PA