Washington’s Virginia
George Washington is myth and legend, a military leader, statesman, founder, and held in our esteem as the Father of Our Country. Washington served as Commander of the Continental Army, President of the Constitutional Convention and First President of the United States of America. Yet despite his glorious public persona, George Washington always clung to his roots in the Virginia countryside and his private identity as a farmer. At the end of his presidency, Washington wrote “I am once more seated under my own vine and fig tree and hope to spend the remainder of my days – which, in the ordinary course of things…cannot be many – in peaceful retirement.”
For our own trip through Virginia, Albert and I chose to pack lightly. The Q2 and Q2 Monochrom as always were versatile and easy to carry. The Q2 handled a wide range of lighting conditions from very dark interiors to bright outdoors. Albert brought the M-system with a limited number of lenses because of severe space constraints on a regional airline. Once again, he rendered romantic landscapes with the Thambar-M 90 mm f/2.2 .
George Washington was born on February 22, 1732, at Pope’s Creek in Westmoreland County. Most of his childhood and early years were spent at the Ferry Farm, outside of Fredericksburg. (#2) So called because it sat at the juncture of the ferry landing on the Rappahannock River and the highway into the town. The house was substantial for its time. Little is known about the details of daily life, but the Washingtons were on the fringe of Fredericksburg gentility. Unlike his two older brothers, George did not receive a formal education, rather was likely tutored privately, perhaps by local teachers. The family’s financial situation was uncertain, worsened after his father died when the lad was but 11 years old. George supplemented whatever education he received with his own constant studies.
Washington was eager to leave Ferry Farm and make his way in the world. His first career was surveying. Working close to home and journeying out to Western Virginia, he learned a great deal of geography and developed a keen interest in real estate property. He ultimately became a substantial landholder, possessing up to 70,000 acres between the Potomac and Ohio Rivers.
Washington realized that although surveying provided him with reliable income it would not lead to upward social rise. A military career provided this entrée and came as the British entered the French and Indian War. Washington proved his astonishing bravery and sang-froid in battle. In March 1758, during a break in the fighting, Washington returned to Williamsburg, the center of Virginia politics – home to the Governor’s Palace and the House of Burgesses. (#1 & #3) There he met Martha Dandridge Custis, a young wealthy widow with two children; they were married in January 1759. Both he and Martha found a loving and trusted mate in one another.
