1752. George Washington's beloved older half-brother, Lawrence, died. In 1754 George Washington leased Mount Vernon from his brother's widow. In 1761, he inherited Mount Vernon at the death of Lawrence's widow.

1753. The British governor of Virginia sent George Washington on a diplomatic mission to the Ohio River Valley to expel the French from the region.

1759. George Washington married a young widow, Martha Dandridge Custis, and settled at Mount Vernon with her and her two young children, John Parke and Martha Parke Custis.

George Washington started his own surveying business when he was 17 years old. He was honest and fair, so many people hired him to survey their lands.

When George was 19, his older half brother, Lawrence, became very ill. Many doctors tried to cure him, but nothing helped. After Lawrence's death, George lived at Mount Vernon.

George joined the Virginia militia. He was sent to the Ohio River on an important mission by the British governor of Virginia. Soon Major Washington was fighting in the first battles of the French and Indian War. The next year, he served as an aide to the British General Edward Braddock. In a fearful battle, George Washington escaped injury many times. Four bullets ripped through his coat. Two horses were shot from under him.

Later, he was made a colonel and led soldiers who defended Virginia's frontier in the Shenandoah Valley. Finally, after years of battles and a British victory, the war was over.

About this time, Colonel Washington met a young woman named Martha Custis. Her husband had died, leaving her with two small children, Jacky, three years old, and Patsy, one year old. George Washington and Martha Custis were married on January 6, 1759.

The Washingtons were happy at Mount Vernon. Many friends and relatives visited. There were parties and fox hunts. Colonel Washington had already added on to the house and now bought land to increase the size of his plantation. He grew many food crops. He stopped growing tobacco and made wheat and corn his main cash crops. He worked to improve the grounds and Mansion House at Mount Vernon.

Colonel Washington was elected to the House of Burgesses and often went to its meetings in the Virginia capital of Williamsburg. He was quiet and thoughtful during the meetings. One person described him as straight as an Indian,...more than six feet two inches...about 175 pounds. His hair was reddish brown and his eyes were blue. While in Williamsburg, he and Martha would go to concerts, plays, and balls at the Governor's Palace.

Discussion Topics:

1.

• Why do you think being honest and fair helped Washington as a surveyor?
• Would people buy land if they thought it was surveyed incorrectly?
• Is being honest and fair important for surveyors today?
• Is it important in doing other jobs? Why?

2.

• Why do you think Washington grew many food crops at Mount Vernon?
• Could he buy food at a grocery store?
• How was food cooked then?
• How do you think people kept food from spoiling then?

Also See:

1753: George Washington's Mission to the Ohio for an account of this trip.