George Washington
Born 1732 · Age 293
American Founding Father; commander of the Continental Army; president of the Constitutional Convention; first President of the United States; planter at Mount Vernon.
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Life & Career Timeline
Birth at Popes Creek, Virginia
George Washington born to Augustine and Mary Ball Washington at the Popes Creek plantation in Westmoreland County, Colony of Virginia.
Family moves to Little Hunting Creek (Mount Vernon)
Around 1734 the Washington family moved to Little Hunting Creek Plantation, later renamed Mount Vernon.
Family moves to Ferry Farm
The Washington family moved to Ferry Farm on the Rappahannock River near Fredericksburg, where George spent much of his childhood.
Death of father Augustine Washington; inherits enslaved people
Augustine Washington died; George (age 11) inherited 10 enslaved people and his formal education effectively ended.
Copies 'Rules of Civility' and begins surveying training
Before age 16 Washington copied the 110 rules of civility; joined a month-long surveying expedition with George William Fairfax and gained frontier surveying experience.
Began land purchases in Shenandoah Valley
Between 1749 and 1752 Washington acquired nearly 1,500 acres in the Shenandoah Valley; by 1752 he owned about 2,315 acres.
Appointed county surveyor of Culpeper County
Washington took the oath as surveyor for Culpeper County (appointment aided by the Fairfaxes), beginning his professional surveying career.
Trip to Barbados; contracts smallpox
Washington traveled to Barbados with his half-brother Lawrence to improve Lawrence's health; George contracted smallpox during the trip (only time he left North America).
Lawrence Washington dies; George leases Mount Vernon
After Lawrence's death Washington leased Mount Vernon from Lawrence's widow and became executor/beneficiary contingent on Sarah's death; effectively head of estate by 1752.
Allegheny Expedition — delivery of Dinwiddie's message
Governor Dinwiddie sent Major Washington to deliver a British demand to the French at Fort Le Boeuf; Washington published an account of the arduous journey.
Promoted to colonel and given command of Virginia Regiment
Following campaign activity Washington was promoted and took command of the full Virginia Regiment later in 1754.
Jumonville Glen skirmish (attack on French party)
Washington led an ambush that killed French troops including Joseph Coulon de Jumonville; incident escalated tensions and ignited the French and Indian War.
Surrender at Fort Necessity
After the Jumonville affair, Washington and his men were surrounded and he surrendered Fort Necessity, a humiliation that prompted his temporary resignation.
Appointed commander of Virginia frontier forces
In recognition of his conduct, Washington was given command of Virginia's military forces and charged to defend a frontier roughly 350 miles long.
Braddock Expedition and Battle of Monongahela
Washington served as volunteer aide to General Edward Braddock; when Braddock's force was ambushed near the Monongahela River Washington rallied survivors despite being ill and having horses shot under him.
Forbes Expedition and brevet promotion
Washington participated in General John Forbes's expedition; the French abandoned Fort Duquesne and Washington received a brevet brigadier general rank; he soon resigned and returned to Mount Vernon.
Elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses
Washington won election to the House of Burgesses, serving from 1758 until 1775 (representing Frederick County then Fairfax County).
Marriage to Martha Dandridge Custis
Washington married Martha Dandridge Custis, a wealthy widow. The marriage greatly increased Washington's social standing and control over dower property.
Begins shift from tobacco to wheat and agricultural innovations
In the 1760s Washington shifted Mount Vernon's main cash crop from tobacco to wheat, experimented with crop rotation, fertilizers, new tools, a gristmill, and livestock breeding.
Accumulated significant personal debt
By 1764 Washington faced heavy debts (reported ~£1,800) resulting from profligate spending and low tobacco prices; this shaped many of his economic decisions.
Ohio/Kanawha land allotments and purchases
Washington inspected western lands and engaged surveyor William Crawford; allotted 23,200 acres were surveyed and Washington purchased about 20,147 acres in the region (veterans' bounties transactions).
Death of stepdaughter 'Patsy' (Martha Parke Custis)
Washington's stepdaughter Martha 'Patsy' Parke Custis died at age 17 after a seizure; part of her inheritance helped Washington settle debts.
Delegate to the First Continental Congress
Washington was selected as one of Virginia's delegates to the First Continental Congress amid rising tensions with Britain.
Appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army
The Second Continental Congress appointed Washington commander-in-chief of the Continental Army; he accepted and initially declined a salary.
Takes command at Cambridge/Boston
Washington arrived at Cambridge, Massachusetts and assumed command of the forces besieging Boston, beginning his wartime leadership.
British evacuation of Boston (Siege of Boston victory)
After Washington placed artillery on Dorchester Heights (guns from Fort Ticonderoga), the British evacuated Boston on March 17, 1776.
Surrender of Fort Washington; retreat from New York
British forces routed Washington's army in the New York campaign; Fort Washington surrendered on November 16, 1776, and Washington retreated across New Jersey into Pennsylvania.
Crossing of the Delaware River
Washington led a daring night crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas night, preparing for the surprise attacks at Trenton and Princeton.
Battle of Trenton victory
Washington's surprise attack captured most of the Hessian garrison at Trenton, bolstering Continental morale.
Battle of Princeton victory
Following Trenton, Washington defeated a British force at Princeton, contributing to a successful winter campaign.
Battle of Brandywine (defeat)
Washington's army was defeated by General Howe at Brandywine Creek while trying to defend Philadelphia.
Battle of Germantown (defeat)
Washington attacked British forces at Germantown but was repulsed; nevertheless demonstrated American resolve.
Encampment at Valley Forge
Washington brought his army to winter quarters at Valley Forge, where training (notably by von Steuben) improved army discipline and effectiveness.
Battle of Monmouth
Washington engaged the British at Monmouth Court House; the battle was tactically inconclusive but demonstrated improved Continental Army performance.
Establishes Culper Spy Ring
Washington appointed Major Benjamin Tallmadge to run a spy network (the Culper Ring) which provided intelligence from British-occupied New York.
Benedict Arnold's treason exposed
The treasonous plot by Benedict Arnold to deliver West Point to the British was uncovered; John André was captured and later executed.
Execution of Major John André
Major John André, British spy involved in Arnold's conspiracy, was tried and executed as a spy after capture.
March south with Rochambeau towards Yorktown
Washington and the Comte de Rochambeau moved south to exploit the strategic situation and isolate Cornwallis at Yorktown.
Victory at Yorktown; Cornwallis surrenders
The Franco-American siege forced General Cornwallis to surrender, effectively ending major military operations in the Revolutionary War.
Creates military badges (precursor to the Purple Heart)
Washington ordered Honorary Badges of Distinction and a Badge of Military Merit to honor enlisted soldiers; this order foreshadowed the modern Purple Heart.
Newburgh Address — prevents military coup
Washington's address to officers at Newburgh defused a potential military coup by appealing to their loyalty and restraint.
Treaty of Paris (war formally ended)
The Treaty of Paris was signed, formally recognizing U.S. independence (Sept 3, 1783) after Yorktown; British acknowledged sovereignty in the treaty terms.
Resigns commission to Congress at Annapolis
Washington presented himself before Congress and resigned his military commission, returning to private life at Mount Vernon — an act celebrated as republican virtue.
Presides over the Constitutional Convention
Washington was unanimously chosen to preside over the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, lending prestige and authority to the proceedings.
Appointed Chancellor of the College of William & Mary
Washington became the 14th Chancellor of the College of William & Mary (tenure listed through his death).
Constitution ratified (New Hampshire 9th state)
New Hampshire's ratification provided the ninth state approval, enabling the Constitution to take effect; Washington worked to support ratification efforts.
Inaugurated first President of the United States
George Washington took the oath as the first President of the United States in New York City after a unanimous Electoral College vote.
Congress enacts first protective tariff
At Washington's presidency Congress enacted an early protective tariff (July 4, 1789) to raise revenue and protect domestic industry.
Residence Act signed — capital to Potomac (future Washington, D.C.)
Washington signed the Residence Act which authorized placing the national capital along the Potomac River; temporary capital arrangements followed.
Federal government moves from New York to Philadelphia
Congress moved to Philadelphia as the temporary national capital while the District of Columbia was prepared.
Signs the bill creating the First Bank of the United States
Washington signed into law the bill establishing the First Bank of the United States, a key Hamiltonian initiative to stabilize national finances.
Naming of the new capital city 'Washington'
Commissioners overseeing the District of Columbia named the federal city 'Washington' in honor of the president.
Ratification of the Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the Constitution (Bill of Rights), which Washington had urged, were ratified by the states.
Unanimously re-elected President (second term)
Washington was re-elected by a unanimous Electoral College for a second term; John Adams continued as Vice President.
Proclamation of Neutrality during French Revolutionary Wars
Washington proclaimed U.S. neutrality in the conflict between Britain and Revolutionary France, a defining foreign policy precedent.
Receives French envoy Citizen Genêt
Edmond-Charles Genêt arrived and sought to involve the U.S. in French wars; Washington rebuffed Genêt's actions, straining Franco-American relations.
Congress authorizes warships and embargo response to British seizures
In response to British seizures of American ships, Congress (with Washington's support) authorized building warships and imposed an embargo on shipping.
Sends John Jay as special envoy to Britain
Washington selected Chief Justice John Jay to negotiate with Britain to address maritime seizures, impressments, and frontier forts.
Proclamation and suppression of the Whiskey Rebellion
Washington issued a proclamation ordering insurgents to disperse and later called up a militia force (~12,000) to suppress the Whiskey Rebellion in western Pennsylvania.
Battle of Fallen Timbers (western frontier victory)
General Anthony Wayne defeated a Native American confederacy at Fallen Timbers, aiding U.S. expansion in the Ohio territory (Washington administration supported operations).
Jay Treaty signed with Britain
John Jay negotiated the Jay Treaty with Britain to resolve lingering disputes; it was controversial but averted war and normalized relations.
Senate ratifies Jay Treaty
After heated debate the Senate ratified the Jay Treaty (June 24, 1795), which President Washington later signed as executed.
Treaty of San Lorenzo with Spain
The U.S. signed the Treaty of San Lorenzo (Pinckney's Treaty), granting navigation rights on the Mississippi and use of New Orleans port.
Publishes Farewell Address
Washington published his Farewell Address, warning against partisan divisions and permanent foreign entanglements; he announced he would not seek a third term.
Treaty with Tripoli (tribute agreement)
The United States signed a treaty with Tripoli agreeing to pay tribute for protection of shipping in the Mediterranean, part of a series of agreements with Barbary states.
Retires from presidency
Washington stepped down after two terms and returned to Mount Vernon, establishing the two-term informal precedent later codified by tradition and law.
Called back to organize U.S. Army (Quasi-War preparations)
During the quasi-war with France Washington briefly resumed service as a senior officer (years of service recorded 1798–1799) to help organize national defenses.
Executes will freeing enslaved people he owned outright
In his will Washington provided that the 123 enslaved people he owned outright would be manumitted after his and/or his wife's death; this marked a late-life shift in his position on slavery.
Falls ill after riding in bad weather
Washington became ill after riding in rain and sleet; condition rapidly worsened over the following days.
Death at Mount Vernon
George Washington died at Mount Vernon of a severe throat infection (epiglottitis reported); he was buried at Mount Vernon.
Martha Washington frees dower slaves (after his death)
After George Washington's death Martha Washington arranged for the dower slaves to remain per legal constraints but freed the 123 slaves George owned upon her death; Martha died May 22, 1802.
Death of Martha Washington
Martha Washington died on May 22, 1802, at age 70; she had been devastated by George's death and was widely eulogized as 'the worthy partner of the worthiest of men.'
Posthumous recognition — title 'Father of His Country' and cultural memorialization begins
Over the 19th century Washington's image and commemorations (including the naming of the capital and the State of Washington) established him as an enduring national icon.
Key Achievement Ages
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