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Monday, February 18, 2013

Young George Washington the Surveyor





Museum at Mount Vernon


Eager for adventure, George wanted to join the British Navy, but his mother refused to let him. Instead, he accompanied George William Fairfax as a surveyor to the unexplored wilderness of the Virginia frontier. George read mathematical texts to learn the geometric principles necessary for surveying.

In July, at seventeen years of age and largely through the Fairfax influence that he had cultivated, Washington secured an appointment as county surveyor for the newly created frontier county of Culpeper. He was well on his way to a successful and profitable career. In an effort to establish himself as a member of the gentry class, he worked hard, saved his money, and bought unclaimed land.

Happy President's Day. I remember when we used to get Washington and Lincoln's birthday off but the kids have school today.

20 comments:

  1. This is a great post for President's Day, and very interesting. I'm happy to have today off, and really appreciate the reminder of this Holiday!

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  2. Nice to remember George Washington (and the seven other presidents that Virginia has given birth to) and think of Culpepper being the Virginia "frontier" at one time!!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  3. The banks are still closed...and the government, too. At least they get to celebrate the day with a holiday!

    I'd love to go to see Mount Vernon in person....maybe someday when I retire.

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  4. Perfect for Presidents Day! I don't remember a museum at Mount Vernon, but I was there only around 30 years ago! It would be nice for our children to start their careers at 16 or 17 today.

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  5. How neat! He definitely was a hard worker. My husband is off school today so he's happy! I wish Lincoln's birthday was a national holiday, because it's my birthday as well! Then I'd always have my birthday off. That would be nice :)

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  6. Great post for Presidents' Day. As a surveyor Washington was the first to survey the Dismal Swamp. Perhaps he was the one to name the place.

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  7. thanks for the bit of history. hadn't read that before. :)

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  8. He was such a unique figure outside his military/political role in history - one of my first children's book was about his early days as a surveyor. Have you ever visited the Great Falls area, with its leftover canal locks, dreamt up by Washington?
    Happy Presidents!

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  9. Great post for President's Day and I learned something too! :)

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  10. Smashing photo for President's Day. Alas not even a mention in the news here. Yes, we did get two days off. Oh well. Have a good day!

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  11. Wonderful post for President's Day, Tanya. I learned something new. Thanks for sharing. Hope your day is a good one!

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  12. You should go into the Botetourt County Circuit Court and ask to see the papers with the presidents' signatures. They have them locked away. Washington surveyed parts of Botetourt County.

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  13. Great image and mean to measure time and life.

    Please have you all a good Tuesday.

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  14. I paid no attention to that stuff in school. I'm sorry now because there's no time. Thanks for the history lesson!

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  15. Washington was a very interesting man. We did have school off today. Surprising that your kids don't!

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  16. Thanks, Tanya. I still think of them as two separate days. They were two great Presidents and each should be honored separately.

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  17. Have you been to Washington's office in Winchester? It's an interesting place.

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  18. Great bit of history for Presidents Day. I had no idea he had been a surveyor.

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  19. Very interesting! I want to visit Mount Vernon SO badly.

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