George Washington: Virginia Places Associated With Him

the British were unfamiliar with George Washington's appearance at the start of the American Revolution - but manufactured images of him anyway
the British were unfamiliar with George Washington's appearance at the start of the American Revolution - but manufactured images of him anyway
Source: Milwaukee Art Museum, George Washington, Esq. General and Commander in Chief (Lent by the Chipstone Foundation)

When the American Revolution started, the leaders of the rebellious colonies knew George Washington in person. He served in the Continental Congress, until it chose him as the general to lead the military forces. No one in England knew what he looked like, however. Unlike his older half-brother Lawrence, George Washington never traveled to England.

Unfamiliarity with his appearance did not stop English artists from creating images of the man, however. One sculptor created an earthenware figure that he claimed was of Washington, but was more likely based on an American who had spent years in London - Benjamin Franklin.1

Just before George Washington died in 1799, he ensured that Martha Washington had the correct copy of his will. Probate of the will, which made clear Washington's intention to emancipate his enslaved workers, was done on January 20, 1800 by the clerk of the Fairfax County court. The historic document remained with other local records in the Fairfax County Courthouse when it moved from Alexandria to Providence in 1800, as Alexandria was incorporated into the District of Columbia.

When the Union Army occupied Fairfax County in 1861, the curt clerk had his wife take the will of George Washington to her family home in Fauquier County for safekeeping. The document was buried in a chest, along with the family silver, at the house known as Evergreen near New Baltimore. In October 1862, the will was transported to Richmond for storage. It survived the fie that burned much of downtown Richmond when Confederates evacuated the city in 1865 The will was returned to Farfax, where it remins today.

Martha Washington's will was not considered valuable enough to remove for safekeeping in 1861. It sat in the courthours until a Yankee soldier purloined the paperwork in 1862. Wealthy John Pierpont Morgan bought her will, and his son donated it back to Virginia before the US Supreme Court could hear a lawsuit filed by the state demanding its return.2

George Washington inherited the right to live at Mount Vernon when his brother Lawrence died, after which he significantly improved the mansion house
George Washington inherited the right to live at Mount Vernon when his brother Lawrence died, after which he significantly improved the mansion house
Source: Library of Congress, Mount Vernon estate, Virginia

George Washington rode his grey horse Blueskin (shown above) on long trips, but preferred the more even-tempered, chestnut-colored horse Nelson for battle
George Washington rode his grey horse Blueskin (shown above) on long trips, but preferred the more even-tempered, chestnut-colored horse Nelson for battle
Source: National Park Service, The Provision Train (by Imogene Robinson, 1877)

George Washington traveled from Williamsburg to the French fort near Lake Erie and back in later 1753
George Washington traveled from Williamsburg to the French fort near Lake Erie and back in later 1753
Source: Library of Congress, A map of the western parts of the colony of Virginia (b.1754)

the obelisk marking George Washington's birthplace was erected with a wooden derrick
the obelisk marking George Washington's birthplace was erected with a wooden derrick
Source: National Park Service, George Washington Birthplace Monument

historic boundaries of George Washington's Five Farms at Mount Vernon
historic boundaries of George Washington's Five Farms at Mount Vernon
Source: George Washington's Mount Vernon, Facebook post

George Washington and Religion

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