Facts
Date of Birth: February 22, 1732
Place of Birth: Westmoreland County, Virginia
Father: Augustine Washington
Mother: Mary (Ball) Washington (Augustine's 2nd wife)
Half brothers: Lawrence, Augustine Jr. (Austin)
Half sister: Jane (died at the age of 13)
Brothers: John, Charles, and Samuel
Sister: Elizabeth (Betty)
Place of Birth: Westmoreland County, Virginia
Father: Augustine Washington
Mother: Mary (Ball) Washington (Augustine's 2nd wife)
Half brothers: Lawrence, Augustine Jr. (Austin)
Half sister: Jane (died at the age of 13)
Brothers: John, Charles, and Samuel
Sister: Elizabeth (Betty)
Early Life
The Washington family was not wealthy, but they weren't poor either. Augustine Washington (George's father) inherited land and acquired additional properties as his family grew in size. He operated several plantations and owned dozens of slaves, while working in an iron mine.
On April 12, 1743, when George was only 11 years old, Augustine Washington (age 48) died from "gout of the stomach". George had to grow up rather quickly; he concentrated on his schooling, wrote "The Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and
Conversation", and taught himself surveying, math and the law. He spent a lot a time with his older brother and mentor, Lawrence, at Mount Vernon (his favorite place to live). When he was 15, George decided to join the Navy, but his mother, Mary, and Uncle Joseph convinced him it would be a mistake.
On April 12, 1743, when George was only 11 years old, Augustine Washington (age 48) died from "gout of the stomach". George had to grow up rather quickly; he concentrated on his schooling, wrote "The Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and
Conversation", and taught himself surveying, math and the law. He spent a lot a time with his older brother and mentor, Lawrence, at Mount Vernon (his favorite place to live). When he was 15, George decided to join the Navy, but his mother, Mary, and Uncle Joseph convinced him it would be a mistake.
A Young Man Emerges
![Picture](/uploads/1/6/6/8/16684226/162179.jpg?173)
Young George, the surveyor
When George was 16, he got his first paying job ($7.20 a day) as a surveyor for Lord Fairfax. Along with head surveyor, John Genn, he went into the wilderness to survey his land near the Shenendoah River. Angry settlers, wild Indians, torrential rain and rattle snakes were just a few things he encountered on this journey, but in the end, George was ready to become a surveyor ... or not.
Click screen to play video of what George may have been like as a young man.
Click screen to play video of what George may have been like as a young man.