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George Washington, the Father of
Our Country


George Washington, the Father of Our Country
Born: February 22, 1732
Died: December 14, 1799The first president of the
United States, George Washington, is often referred to
as the Father of Our Country. He was known for his love
of the land and farming, and his dislike of war. He was a
distinguished general and commander in chief of the
colonial armies in the American Revolution. He married a
widow, Martha Dandridge Custis, and they lived at
Mount Vernon, Washington's plantation in Virginia on the
Potomac River.


• George Washington the Soldier
At 16, Washington helped survey and plot the lands of Lord Fairfax,
who owned more than 5 million acres in northern Virginia and the
Shenandoah Valley. After surveying for a few years, he was
commissioned a Lieutenant Colonel in 1754 and fought in the
French and Indian War. In 1755, he was serving as an aide to
British General Edward Braddock at a fateful battle in Pennsylvania
on July 9. That day the British made an attempt to capture Fort
Duquesne.
• George Washington had been sick during most of the month of June
but he insisted on joining the battle. The British suffered a terrible
defeat that day. Out of 1,459 soldiers, almost 1,000 were killed or
wounded. The French and their Indian allies routed the British who

were not accustomed to the guerrilla warfare style of combat.
General Braddock was killed, and Washington had to help lead the
Virginians and British in retreat to safety. Do you think this
experience was frightening to the young cavalry officer?


• George Washington the Husband
Martha had been married to Daniel Parke Custis, a
wealthy planter in Virginia, and they had two children
together before Daniel died. John ("Jacky") was six and
Martha ("Patsy") was four when George and Martha
married. Washington was very fond of his stepchildren
and treated them as his own. George and Martha had a
happy marriage. For eight years, while he was at war,
Mrs. Washington joined her husband at his headquarters
every winter. She did everything she could to help
encourage the soldiers and she was determined to keep
a positive outlook. What other characteristics do you
think were important for the wife of the president to
have?