George Washington
by Eric B.
George Washington was born on a farm in Virginia and had 5 brothers and sisters. Growing up he liked to fish, swim and ride horses. There were no schools near his home so he had to learn reading, writing, and math from a tutor.
George’s father died when he was 11 years old. He had to help his mother run the farm and take care of his brothers and sisters. He taught himself to use his father’s surveying tools. At the age of 16 a rich farmer hired him to survey his land.
George had a half brother named Lawrence who was an officer in the British Army. George lived with his brother and learned to fight with a sword.
George became a soldier in the Virginia Militia, which was a volunteer army. For being brave he was made Commander of the Virginia Militia.
George had a wife named Martha. On their farm they raised apples and pears, horses and cattle. George could ride horses very well. He had slaves on his farm but freed them in his will.
George was Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. He refused pay because he just wanted to do his duty. He led the army in the Revolutionary War.
On Christmas night he crossed the Delaware River with 2400 men in a surprise attack on the British.
The French helped America beat the British. We won the war in 1781.
George led the men that wrote the Constitution. The Constitution tells people how the government works.
George was the first President of the United States and was elected for two terms or eight years.
George had very bad teeth as he got older.
He got sick and died in 1799.
