George Washington Facts
This is a list of basic George Washington Facts. George Washington is known as the "Father of his Country."
He was the Commander of Continental Forces during the Revolutionary War
and was elected the First President of the United States of America. George Washington
is often lauded for retiring from public life twice and returning to
his farm.
When King George III of England heard that Washington was
going to retire as Commander of the Continental Forces, he allegedly
said, "If he does that, he will be the
greatest man in the world." This list of George Washington
Facts contains basic things such as birth and death dates, marriage
date, number of children and occupations as a young man. It also
contains some interesting and less well known George Washington Facts.
George Washington Facts
When was George Washington born?
George Washington Birthplace
- Father's "Pope Creek Estate" near present day Colonial Beach in Westmoreland County, Virginia
Parents' names
- Father - Augustine Washington (1694 - April 23, 1743)
- Mother - Mary Ball (1708 - 1789)
- They married in 1731. She was his second wife.
Parents' occupations
- Augustine Washington was a planter and was part owner and director of an iron mine.
Number of siblings
Birth order
- George was the fifth of Augustine Washington's ten
children. The first four were mothered by Augustine's first wife, Jane
Butler, two of whom did not survive to adulthood. The next six children
were mothered by Mary Ball, including George, all of whom lived to
adulthood, except the last, Mildred, who died in infancy.
Nicknames
- Father of his Country
- The American Cincinnatus
- Cincinnatus was a Roman political figure noted for retiring and going
back to his farm instead of trying to seize further political power.
- The Sage of Mount Vernon
- The Old Fox - Lord Cornwallis used this name for Washington in a remark in 1777.
- The American Fabius - From the writings of Timothy Pickering. Fabius was a Roman general and politician noted for his military tactics.
Schools attended
- George Washington
never attended any school or college. He was educated as a child by his
father and brother, and also self-educated as he became an adult.
Religious Views
- George Washington
was a member of the Anglican church. He made frequent references to God
and the Bible in his public statements and private letters. Personal
friends and family members gave accounts of his regular Bible reading,
church attendance and moral lifestyle. He personally promoted a project
to evangelize Indians that was organized by Selina, Countess of
Huntingdon. Washington even had a portrait of the Countess hanging in
his house. The Countess was one of the leading evangelical ministers of
the day. Washington was a "Low Church" Anglican, the branch of the
Anglican church that took the Bible literally and would be considered
"true" to the Bible by believing Christians today.
First Occupations
- Surveyor, planter, soldier.
Trips abroad
- Washington took only one trip outside of what is
now the United States in his life. He went to Barbados with his older
half-brother Lawrence in 1751. The purpose of the trip was to find
relief for Lawrence's tuberculosis with the warmer weather.
George Washington's Family
Date of marriage, wife's name
- Married Martha Dandridge Custis on January 6, 1759. She was a widow and they were both 27 years old when they married.
Children's names and birth order
George and Martha
never had any children together. George had bouts with both smallpox
and tuberculosis earlier in life and these may have left him unable to
have children. In spite of their inability to have their own children,
George and Martha raised two children from her first marriage:
- John Parke Custis (November 27, 1754 - November 5, 1781), known as "Jackie"
- Martha Parke Custis (1756 - June 19, 1773), known as "Patsy"
John Parke Custis served as an aide to Washington at the Battle of Yorktown. He contracted camp fever and died on November 5, 1781. After this, George and Martha Washington raised John's two children:
- Eleanor Parke Custis (March 31, 1779 -
July 15, 1852), known as Nelly
- George Washington Parke Custis - (April
30, 1781 - October 10, 1857)
Famous relatives
- John Parke Custis was raised by George and Martha Washington. He was Martha's son from her previous marriage. John married Eleanor Calvert, a granddaughter of Charles Calvert, 5th Baron Baltimore. The Calvert family was the founding family of the colony of Maryland.
- George Washington Parke Custis
was Martha's biological grandson. He and his sister Eleanor were raised
by George and Martha after their father John died. George Washington Parke Custis had one surviving daughter named Mary Anna Randolph Custis. She married Robert E. Lee, who became the Commander of the Confederate Army during the Civil War.
- George Washington and Robert E. Lee, Commander of the Confederate army during the civil war were third cousins, twice removed!
- Bushrod Washington
was George's nephew, the son of George's younger brother John Augustine
Washington. Bushrod and George Washington were very close, Bushrod was
appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States by President John Adams in 1799, the same year George Washington died.
The Revolutionary War
How he got involved in the independence effort?
- Washington's first involvement in the resistance against Great Britain was in 1769 when he introduced a bill in the House of Burgesses calling for a boycott of all British goods. The bill was written by George Mason and was in response to the passage of the Townsend Acts,
a set of laws created by Parliament that taxed imports to the American
colonies. The colonists believed the acts were illegal and violated
their rights as British citizens. Learn more about the causes of the Revolutionary War here.
Did he see military action during the war?
Yes, yes and yes! George Washington
was the Commander of the Continental Forces. There were many battles of
the Revolutionary War that were fought by Washington's other generals,
but Washington was actually present at the following battles:
- Siege of Boston
- Battle of Long Island
- Battle of Kip's Bay
- Battle of Harlem Heights
- Battle of White Plains
- Battle of Fort Washington
- Battle of Trenton
- Battle of the Assunpink Creek
- Battle of Princeton
- Battle of Brandywine
- Battle of Germantown
- Battle of White Marsh
- Battle of Monmouth
- Siege of Yorktown
George Washington - Offices He Held
Which party was he in?
- Washington never formally joined a party. He was
against parties because he thought they created too much division. He
was, however, considered to be the informal figurehead of the Federalist
party, since most of his supporters were of this party and he was in
agreement with most of their positions.
Which government offices did he hold?
- Elected Surveyor of Culpepper County - 1749-1751
- Appointed Adjutant General of Virginia militia -
1752, an adjutant general is the chief administrative officer of the
militia, this made him a Major at the age of 20.
- Appointed Lieutenant and Colonel of Virginia Regiment - 1754
- Commander of Virginia Military - 1755-1758
- Elected to Virginia House of Burgesses - 1759-1774
- Justice of the Peace - Fairfax County, Virginia - 1760-1774
- Delegate to Continental Congress - 1774-1775
- Appointed Commander-in-Chief of Continental Forces by Continental Congress - 1775-1783
- Presiding officer over Constitutional Convention - 1787
- First President of the United States - 1789-1797 - elected twice
Did he hold any office under the Royal government?
Yes:
- Surveyor of Culpeper County - 1749-1751
- Adjutant General of Virginia militia - 1752
- Lieutenant and Colonel of Virginia Regiment - 1754
- Commander of Virginia Military - 1755-1758
- Justice of the Peace - Fairfax County, Virginia - 1760-1774
Accomplishments of George Washington while in office?
- Chaired Constitutional Convention in 1789.
- Averted war with France and Britain in the early
part of his presidency, always promoting neutrality toward conflicts
between other nations.
- Stopped the first uprising against the Federal government, known as the Whiskey Rebellion, in 1794.
- By voluntarily retiring at the end of his second term, Washington established the American precedent of a non-violent transfer of power to new administrations.
- Oversaw creation of first National Bank.
- Oversaw creation of the Jay Treaty, which ended many conflicts remaining with Britain at the end of the Revolutionary War.
Interesting Personal Information
Personal mottoes
- Deeds, not words
- For God and My Country
Character and disposition
- Washington is often revered for his
retiring from public service and going back to private life, rather
than seeking to extend his power as many monarchs did. He was thought of
as very shy and reserved. He was believed to be very humble, not even
wanting positions of power. The First Congress appointed him a $25,000 salary, which he turned down, an enormous amount of money at the time. He was known for his motto, "Deeds, not words," and was not concerned about leaving a "legacy."
George Washington Quotes
- Nothing is a greater stranger to my
breast, or a sin that my soul more abhors, than that black and
detestable one, ingratitude." - Letter to Governor Dinwiddie - May 29, 1754
- "The fate of unborn millions will
now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army. Our
cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us only the choice of brave
resistance, or the most abject
submission. We have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or die." - Address to the Continental Army before the Battle of Long Island - August 27, 1776
- "While we are zealously performing
the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be
inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished
character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more
distinguished character of Christian." - General Orders - May 2, 1778
Find more George Washington Quotes here.
Selected works of George Washington and their dates
- Rules of Civility - 1744
- This is a list of proverbs and maxims written by George when he was
about 16 years old. The maxims originated in France and were used as a
method of instilling social virtues in young people. "Rules of Civility"
is often credited with being the source of George Washington's well spoken of
virtue.
- George Washington's First Inaugural Address - April 30, 1789
- Thanksgiving Proclamation - October 3, 1789
- Proclamation of Neutrality
- April 22, 1793 - Britain and France were at war at this time and with
some Americans supporting both sides. Washington was pressured to
assist both sides, but refused. He issued this proclamation and held to
this policy of neutrality toward the conflicts of other nations
throughout his career.
- George Washington's Farewell Address - September 19, 1796
The End of His Life
Date and age of retirement
- March 1797, at age 64
- Due to impending war with France, President John
Adams asked the retired George Washington to take command of all United
States armies in 1798. Washington reluctantly agreed in order to serve
his country and served in this position from July 13, 1798, until his
death on December 14, 1799. He participated in the planning for a
possible war with France, but the war never occurred.
Last Words
- 'Tis well. - Spoken just before he died.
George Washington's death
- December 14, 1799 at age 67
- George Washington became ill after spending all day
December 12 on horseback in snow and freezing rain. He awoke the next
day with a cold, a fever and throat infection. These turned into
pneumonia and possibly laryngitis. Washington apparently died of
asphyxiation as a result of all these complications.
Where was George Washington buried?
- At his home, Mount Vernon, near Alexandria, Virginia
Inscription over Washington's grave
I am the resurrection
and the life, saith the Lord,
He that believeth in me, though
he were dead, yet shall he live;
And whosoever liveth and
believeth in
me shall never die
St. John 11:25-26
Other interesting George Washington Facts
Quotes about George Washington by others
- After the Revolutionary War, George Washington retired to Mt. Vernon in 1783.
King George III couldn't believe it. He reportedly said about Washington - "If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world."
- When Henry Lee
delivered George Washington's funeral oration, he said this of
Washington - He was... "A citizen, first in war, first in peace, first
in the hearts of his countrymen."
- "Let the deist reflect on this, and
remember that Washington, the saviour of his country, did not disdain
to acknowledge and adore a great Saviour, whom deists and infidels
affect to slight and despise." - Jonathan Mitchell Sewall, in an address to Portsmouth, New Hampshire on December 31, 1799
- "His personal bravery, and the
desire he has of animating his troops by example, make him fearless of
danger. This occasions us much uneasiness. But Heaven, which has
hitherto been his shield, I hope will still continue to guard so
valuable a life." - An anonymous soldier, 1777
- "Our Washington is no more! The
Hero, the Sage and Patriot of America - the man on whom in times of
danger, every eye was turned, and all hopes were placed - lives now,
only in his own great actions, and in the hearts of an affectionate and
afflicted people." - Representative John Marshall, 1799, Marshall became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in 1801
Landmarks for George Washington
- Washington DC, the nation's capital is named after George Washington.
- Washington Monument, Washington DC, the familiar pointed obelisk across from the White House.
- Mount Rushmore,
near Keystone, South Dakota, features the heads of Washington,
Roosevelt, Lincoln and Jefferson carved into the side of a mountain.
- George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia.
- Mount Vernon - George Washington's famous estate near Alexandria, Virginia - you can visit the Mount Vernon website here.

- George Washington Birthplace National Monument - Also known as Pope's Creek Estate,
features the excavated original home site, reconstructed period
buildings with period furnishings and an active farm. More info about George Washington's Birthplace monument here.
- Ferry Farm
- George Washington's childhood home near Fredericksburg, Virginia, the
original structures no longer exist, but the site is an active farm and
archaeological site. Find info and visiting information about Ferry Farm can be here.
- Christiana Campbell's Tavern
- Williamsburg, Virginia, This was George Washington's favorite place
to eat away from home. It is still open today! You can find out how to
visit Christiana Campbell's Tavern here.
- Natural Bridge
- A natural Virginia landmark, also one of the Seven Natural Wonders of
the World. It was first surveyed by George Washington as a young man
and owned at one time by Thomas Jefferson.
George Washington allegedly was able to throw a rock over the bridge as
well. Today it is on the National Historic Landmark registry. Find out
more about how to visit the Natural Bridge here.

- Numerous universities, streets and towns throughout America are named after George Washington, as well as the State of Washington.
Other interesting Random Facts about George Washington
- In December 1753, Governor Dinwiddie sent George Washington
with a British ultimatum that commanded the French to stop their
developments in the Ohio country. Washington assessed the French
military strength and position and delivered the ultimatum at the French
Fort Le Beouf, which is at present day Waterford, Pennsylvania. This
episode was one of the events that set in motion the French and Indian
war. Washington's report on the event was examined on both sides of the
Atlantic, creating the first time he became known internationally.
- After the disastrous Monongahela expedition to take
back Ohio from the French, in which General Edward Braddock was killed,
Washington wrote to his brother that God had protected him, saying he
had two horses shot out from under him and multiple bullet holes through
his clothes!
- George Washington proposed to Martha Dandridge Custis after knowing her for only three weeks and meeting her only twice!
- Washington was nominated for Commander-in-Chief by future president John Adams on June 15, 1775.
- Martha Washington owned an estate called "The White
House" on the Pamunkey River in New Kent, County, Virginia when she
married George.
- Martha Washington burned all of the letters between she and George at his death to protect their privacy.
- Washington's likeness is featured on the American $1 bill and the 25 cent quarter.
- George Washington and Robert E. Lee, commander of Confederate forces during the Civil War, were third cousins, twice removed!
- George Washington
never wore a wig as some did in that day, he did powder his hair though
and wore it in a pony tail that was sometimes put in a silk bag!

You may also like to check out these other pages about George Washington:
If you enjoyed reading these Facts about George Washington, you will also like to read the following Revolutionary War Facts:
Last updated 8/7/12
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