By Mark Mastromarino
George Washington (1732-1799), the most celebrated person in American history, was born on 22 February 1732 on his father’s plantation on Pope’s Creek in Westmoreland county, Virginia. His father, Augustine, a third-generation English colonist firmly established in the middle ranks of the Virginia gentry, was twice married. He had two sons, Lawrence and Augustine, in 1718 and 1720, before his first wife, Jane Butler Washington, died in 1728. In 1731 Augustine married Mary Ball (1709-1789), and George was born a year later. Five other children followed Samuel, Elizabeth, John Augustine, Charles, and Mildred (who died in infancy). About 1735 the Washington family moved from Westmoreland County to Augustine, Sr.’s plantation on Little Hunting Creek, and lived there until they moved to a farm on the Rappahannock river opposite Fredericksburg in 1738.
Surveying the Land: An Early Career for Young Washington
George Washington became the “Father of his country” despite having lost his own father at an early age. In 1743, when George was eleven years old, Augustine Washington died and left the bulk of his estate to George’s half-brothers. Lawrence inherited Little Hunting Creek plantation (which he later renamed Mount Vernon in honor of Admiral Edward Vernon under whom he had served in the War of Jenkins’ Ear), and Augustine, Jr., inherited the Westmoreland County plantation where George was born. George himself inherited the more modest Rappahannock River plantation where he lived with his mother and siblings, but this was not enough to maintain his middling status in the Virginia gentry. His half-brother Lawrence suggested that George enter on a career in the British navy, but George’s mother rejected the proposal. Instead, he was trained as a land surveyor, a profession of considerable importance in Virginia, where colonial settlement was pushing rapidly into the Shenandoah Valley and other pa
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This is a biography about George Washington
Listen Early YearsGeorge Washington was born on February 22, 1732 in Westmoreland County, Virginia, although he grew up near Fredericksburg. In his childhood and adolescence, he studied math and surveying. When he was 16, he went to live with his brother Lawrence in Mount Vernon. George was scarred with Smallpox before the age of 20, but inherited his brother's land (including Mt. Vernon) when he died in 1752. French and Indian WarWashington's military career began in 1753, when he was sent into Ohio country during the French and Indian War to protect British interests in the area. In 1754, he battled the French and was forced to surrender Fort Necessity (near present-day Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania). He continued as an officer in Ohio country, and served under the British general Edward Braddock when their army was ambushed by the French in 1755. Once again, Washington tasted defeat after their surrender of Fort Duquesne to French forces. Luckily for the future United States, the French agreed to release him rather than keep him as a prisoner. He helped take Fort Duquesne back in 1758. Commander of Continental ArmyWashington was married to Martha Custis in 1759. He managed the family and estate until he took command of Virginia troops just before the American Revolution. He was made commander of the Continental Army on June 15, 1775. Washington, however, would struggle with a rag-tag army of volunteers and militia men. His armies were constantly low on supplies and food, and often times marched to battle without shoes. They were routed in a series of battles in and around New York City in 1776 and forced to retreat into Pennsylvania where he planned a strategic ambush. On Christmas night 1776, Washington and his men crossed the Delaware River and captured a band of 800-900 Hessian soldiers. Hessians were fearsome German mercenaries hired 
1732: George Washington was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia to Augustine Washington and his second wife Mary Ball. 1738: Washington family moved to Ferry Farm (a plantation on the Rappahannock River near Fredericksburg); George Washington spent most of his youth here. 1743: Augustine Washington, George’s father, died. Although George Washington was the older child of the Ball-Washington household, Augustine left most of his property to his sons from his first marriage. George inherited 10 slaves from his father’s estate. Following the death of his father, George Washington’s formal education ended. George Washington was only 11 years old. 1749: George Washington was appointed county surveyor of the frontier county of Culpeper. He was seventeen years old. 1751-1752: George Washington traveled to Barbados with his half-brother Lawrence in an attempt to cure the latter of a respiratory illness. George contracted smallpox while on the island. The trip was the only time George Washington traveled outside of the North American continent. 1753: Virginia Governor Robert Dinwiddie sent Major George Washington to the Ohio Valley to deliver a message to the French, demanding that they leave the area. 1754: Major Washington and 150 soldiers traveled to the Ohio Valley to fight for Virginia’s claim of the land. As part of the campaign, Washington’s men engaged in a combative confrontation with French soldiers. Following this skirmish, Washington and his men retreated to the makeshift Fort Necessity, where Washington was soon forced to surrender. This event deeply embarrassed Washington and he resigned his commission. This failed campaign sparked the French and Indian War. 1755: Washington returned to the Ohio frontier as a volunteer aide for General Braddock. During a battle between the French and the British near the Monongahela River, Washington exhibited great courage and leadership. He was later recognized for his conduct in battle
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