Early Life of George Washington

This page of biographical information describes the life of our first president before the American Revolution. It tells of Washington growing up and developing into the legendary leader we all know him to be.

Early Life

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     George Washington was born on February 11, 1732 in Virginia and on February 22, 1732. The reason there are two dates is because in 1752 the colonists switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar which involves shifting dates by 11 days.
     When George was a young boy he loved going to the home of his half brother Lawrence, a house called Mount Vernon. Lawrence had named the house and its farm, Mount Vernon, after his commanding officer, Admiral Edward Vernon of the British Navy. Washington's father died when he when George was only 11, so he moved in with Lawerence at Mount Vernon. His brother acted almost like a second father to George.
     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.
     When Washington was 17 he started his own surveying business. He was honest and fair, so many people hired Washington to survey their lands.
     When Washington was 19 he 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 aid to the British General Edward Braddock. In a fearful battle, George Washington escaped injury many times. Four bullets ripped through his coat and 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.
     His brother Lawrence died when George was 20, leaving Washington his house Mount Vernon. When Washington was 27 he married Martha Dandridge Cutis who was a rich and pretty young woman.
     In 1774 Washington was elected to the first continental congress and then in 1775 he was elected to the second continental congress. The Continental Congress was like an early government, it regulated trade, issued paper money, and sent diplomats around the world to negotiate with foreign countries.

Early Life
To return to the Greatest Presidents homepage CLICK HERE	George Washington was born on February 11, 1732 in Virginia and on February 22, 1732. The reason there are two dates is because in 1752 the colonists switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar which involves shifting dates by 11 days. When George was a young boy he loved going to the home of his half brother Lawrence, a house called Mount Vernon. Lawrence had named the house and its farm, Mount Vernon, after his commanding officer, Admiral Edward Vernon of the British Navy. Washington's father died when he when George was only 11, so he moved in with Lawerence at Mount Vernon. His brother acted almost like a second father to George. 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. When Washington was 17 he started his own surveying business. He was honest and fair, so many people hired Washington to survey their lands. When Washington was 19 he 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 aid to the British General Edward Braddock. In a fearful battle, George Washington escaped injury many times. Four bullets ripped through his coat and 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. His brother Lawrence died when George was 20, leaving Washington his house Mount Vernon. When Washington was 27 he married Martha Dandridge Cutis who was a rich and pretty young woman. In 1774 Washington was elected to the first continental congress and then in 1775 he was elected to the second continental congress. The Continental Congress was like an early government, it regulated trade, issued paper money, and sent diplomats around the world to negotiate with foreign countries.

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