1732. George Washington was born on February 22, in Westmoreland County, Virginia.

1743. George Washington's father, Augustine, died.

1748. George Washington accompanied George William Fairfax on a trip to the Virginia frontier to survey land.

George Washington was born at ten o'clock in the morning on February 22, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia. His parents were Augustine and Mary Ball Washington. George grew up near Fredericksburg, Virginia. He had a younger sister and three younger brothers. He also had two older half-brothers who were sent to England to go to school.

Studying was very important. Spelling and handwriting were practiced by writing in a copybook. Children copied the Rules of Civility, which told them how to behave. George carefully wrote all 110 rules in his copybook, which helped him develop good handwriting. He worked hard and learned about geography, astronomy, arithmetic and surveying.

When George was 11 years old, his father died. George became very close to his older half-brother, Lawrence. George liked to visit Lawrence, who was living in a small house their father built on the Potomac River. Lawrence named the house and its farm, Mount Vernon, after his commanding officer, Admiral Edward Vernon of the British Navy.

George enjoyed listening to Lawrence talk about the time he served in the military with the British. He also liked to hear Lawrence and his friends talk about the Virginia frontier. One day, George learned that Lawrence's friend, George William Fairfax, was going to the frontier to survey land. George wanted to go. He had learned a little about surveying and had practiced by measuring Lawrence's turnip field. Although he was only 16 years old, Mr. Fairfax allowed him to join the group.

George learned more than surveying on the trip. The men rode on horseback for days exploring the wilderness. They slept in the open, still wearing their clothes and rolled up in blankets. They talked with Indians, ate some of their food, and watched them dance in the bright firelight. George wrote about these experiences in his journal.

Discussion Topics:

1.

• Do you study the same things that Washington did as a boy?
• What do you study that Washington did not?
• Why do you think what children study has changed?
• Do teachers and parents still give rules for good behavior?

2.

• What do you think Washington's surveying trip was like?
• Would it be similar to a trip to the Shenandoah Valley today?
• How would it be different?
• How do you think Washington's group crossed rivers?
• Would there have been roads and hotels?

Also See:

Rules of Civility, which provides a facsimile of Washington's boyhood handwriting from the Rules of Civility, with suggested activities.