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and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none
in humble and enduring scenes of private life. Pious, just, humane,
temperate, and sincere; uniform, digified, and commanding; his
example ws as edifying to all around him as were the effects of
that example lasting. . . . Correct throughout, vice shuddered
in his presence and virtue always felt his fostering hand. The
purity of his private character gave effulgence to his public
virtues."
Official eulogy of Washington, written
by John Marshall,
delivered by Rep. Richard Henry Lee, December 26, 1799
|
 Born |
February
22, 1732, near Popes Creek, Westmoreland County, Virginia, the son
of Augustine Washington, a planter, and Mary Ball [Washington]. |
| Childhood |
Attended
local schools, but received little formal education. He worked his
father's land as a farmer, and was trained and worked as a surveyor. |
| Religion |
Episcopalian |
| Family |
At
the age of 26 married Martha Dandridge Custis on January 6, 1759.
Washington fathered no children, but he raised two of Martha's children
from her previous marriage (John Parke Custis and Martha Parke Custis)
and two step grandchildren (George Washington Parke Custis and Eleanor
Parke Custis) as his own. |
| Accomplishments |
Major,
military district of Virginia (1752)
Lieutenant Colonel in the French and Indian Wars (1754-58)
Commander in Chief, Virginia Forces (1755-58)
Virginia House of Burgesses (1758-1774)
Justice of the Peace (1760-1774)
First Continental Congress (1774)
Second Continental Congress (1775)
Commander of the Continental army (1775-1783)
President of the Constitutional Convention (1787)
First President of the United States (1789-1796) |
| Died |
December
14, 1799, at Mount Vernon, Virginia, where he is buried.
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| Last
Words
| "
'Tis well." |
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