WASHINGTON, GEORGE (ante), 1732-99; b. Bridges creek, Westmoreland co., Va., the eldest of four sons of Augustine Washington, by his second wife. His father, who died in 1744, bequeathed to George .the lands and mansion which were the imply homestead at the time of his decease. The other children were all handsomely provided for by his will, and to the widow was left a life-interest in the property of those by his second marriage. But while the family were thus left in good circumstances, and large landed proprietors, the facilities for education in the colonies—particularly in the south —were at this time so meager, that the younger children were forced to depend on the poor common schools of the neighborhood, where they acquired but the veriest rudi mentary branches. Such education as he received, George completed by the time he was 16 years of age, his last two years of schooling having been devoted mainly to the study of engineering-geometry, trigonometry, and surveying; probably from his having a mathematical turn of mind, and also because the profession promised advan tages, in view of the wild state of the country, and the increasing demand for accurate surveys. Besides, George was athletic in form, given to much exercising, a graceful and expert rider, and fond of the wild life of the woods and encampments. i He had the customary boyish proclivity toward imitation of military service, possibly in a marked degree, and appears to have been generally chosen as their leader, and to have been deferred to in the settlement of disputes which arose among them by the compan ions of his youth. As a growing lad, be was not remarkable in his aptitude for hook knowledge; was rather reserved and sedate in his demeanor; and was more than is usual amoua boys of a religious turn of mind. Another reason for his adopting the profession which lie did, was the aversion of hi's mother to parting with him for long periods, an objection which prevented him from accepting a position in the British navy, when it was offered him by admiral Vernon. In 1748 he received a commission as public surveyor, and the summer months of the next three years were occupied by him in the duties of his profession: more particularly in the region of the Alleghanies, and ranging over the immense tracts of land owned by lord Fairfax. Surveyors were scarce, and the remuneration was ample, and as the young Virginian was economical, be saved money, and acquired property by purchase, long before he reached his majority. This fact, and the qualities of character which he displayed, gained him a solid reputa tion; and he was thus early regarded with esteem and confidence by the leading men in the province. The year 1751 found the frontiers threatened by the French and Indians, and frequent attacks and depredations occurred, necessitating some provision for the public safety. The colony was accordingly divided into military districts, to each of which an adjutant-general was appointed, with the rank of major, and a salary of 150 per annum. George Washington received one of these appointments, and entered with zeal on the study of the art of war and military tactics and strategy, under experienced provincial officers, among whom was his elder brother, who had seen service on the Spanish main. These studies were varied by an excursion with his
brother (Laurence Washington) to Barbadoes, whither the latter was sent by his physi cians; and who, on his death soon after, bequeathed to George the estate of Mount Vernon, which had been left to him by his father. The care of this property, and his military duties occupied George until 1753, when he was sent as a commissioner, by governor Dinwiddie, to gain information concerning the intentions of the French, who had sent an expedition to the headquarters of the Ohio. Washington acquitted himself of this mission very creditably, displaying great judgment, coolness, and address. In the spring of 1754 he was made second in command of the six companies which formed the military establishment of the colony, and with three of these companies, was sent forward to occupy the outposts of the Ohio. This was his first campaign, and he at once distinguished himself by defeating a detachment of the French under De Jumonville ; and, his superior officer dying suddenly, lie was raised to the chief command of the detachment. In 1755 Washington became attached to general Braddock's staff, and passed through the ill-fated campaign of that year with great éclat, his personal bravery under fire becothing thoroughly established; while it was recognized that the fact of his wise counsel not having been listened to, had been in no slight measure the cause of Braddock's defeat. The duty now fell to Washington to reorganize the provincial troops, and be retained the command of them until the close of the campaign of 1758. when he resigned his commission, and retired into private life; dissatisfied, as it would appear, with the course of the government in failing to recognize the claims of rincial officers, and in preferring to them the officers of the royal army. On Jan. 6, 1759, Washington married Mrs. Martha Custis, a young widow with two children, wealthy in her own right. The management of her large estate combined with that of his own, now occupied the most of his time, at least until about 1763. Having been elected to the house of burgesses of Virginia, he now began to appear prominently in public affairs, attending regularly every meeting of the assembly; and, though seldom speaking, taking care to be thoroughly informed upon every prominentpublic question. He moved much in society, also; practiced a generous hospitality at Mount Vernon; associated constantly with the leading men of the colony; and soon, and imperceptibly, he had gained a recognized position as a man of profound ability and marked personal influence. At this time, lie was frequently made the depositary of important trusts, and was very often chosen to act as arbitrator in disputes arising among the colonists. this devotion to business and affairs was untiring; his industry extraordinary. He personally took charge of all his numerous accounts and business records, conducted i his large and increasing correspondence, and drafted all his own contracts and deeds. At the outbreak of the revolution, he was recognized as the leading man in the colony at Virginia.