Who was George Washington before the American Revolution?
Washington was born on February 22, 1732. He lost his father at age 11 and his
half brother, Lawrence, took over that role. Washington's mother was protective
and demanding, keeping him from joining the British navy as Lawrence wanted.
Lawrence owned Mount Vernon, and George lived with him from the age of 16. He
was schooled entirely in Colonial Virginia and never went to college. He was
good at math which suited his chosen profession of surveying.
http://americanhistory.about.com/od/georgewashington/p/pwashington.htm
half brother, Lawrence, took over that role. Washington's mother was protective
and demanding, keeping him from joining the British navy as Lawrence wanted.
Lawrence owned Mount Vernon, and George lived with him from the age of 16. He
was schooled entirely in Colonial Virginia and never went to college. He was
good at math which suited his chosen profession of surveying.
http://americanhistory.about.com/od/georgewashington/p/pwashington.htm
"Father I cannot tell a lie, I cut the tree."
George Washington had a new hatchet, which he may or may not have used to chop down his father's favorite cherry tree. The story is presented to illustrate young George's honesty. This myth is used to teach the children of our country that it is better to be honest about ones mistakes than to lie about them. After all, our first President was an uncommonly honest person.
When George was about six years old, he was made the wealthy master of a hatchet of which, like most little boys, he was extremely fond. He went
about chopping everything that came his way. One day, as he wandered about the garden amusing himself by hacking his mother's pea sticks, he
found a beautiful, young English cherry tree, of which his father was most proud. He tried the edge of his hatchet on the trunk of the tree and barked it so that it died. Some time after this, his father discovered what had happened to his favorite tree. He came into the house in great anger, and demanded to know who the mischievous person was who had cut away the bark. Nobody could tell him anything about it.Just then George, with his little hatchet, came into the room. "George,'' said his father, "do you know who has killed my beautiful little cherry tree yonder in the garden? I would not have taken five guineas for it!'' This was a hard question to answer, and for a moment George was staggered by it, but quickly recovering himself he cried:"I cannot tell a lie, father, you know I cannot tell a lie! I did cut it with my little hatchet.'' The anger died out of his father's face, and taking the boy tenderly in his arms, he said:"My son, that you should not be afraid to tell the truth is more to me than a thousand trees! Yes - though they were blossomed with silver and had leaves of the purest gold!''
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/presidents-day/george-washington/short-stories/the-cherry-tree.html
When George was about six years old, he was made the wealthy master of a hatchet of which, like most little boys, he was extremely fond. He went
about chopping everything that came his way. One day, as he wandered about the garden amusing himself by hacking his mother's pea sticks, he
found a beautiful, young English cherry tree, of which his father was most proud. He tried the edge of his hatchet on the trunk of the tree and barked it so that it died. Some time after this, his father discovered what had happened to his favorite tree. He came into the house in great anger, and demanded to know who the mischievous person was who had cut away the bark. Nobody could tell him anything about it.Just then George, with his little hatchet, came into the room. "George,'' said his father, "do you know who has killed my beautiful little cherry tree yonder in the garden? I would not have taken five guineas for it!'' This was a hard question to answer, and for a moment George was staggered by it, but quickly recovering himself he cried:"I cannot tell a lie, father, you know I cannot tell a lie! I did cut it with my little hatchet.'' The anger died out of his father's face, and taking the boy tenderly in his arms, he said:"My son, that you should not be afraid to tell the truth is more to me than a thousand trees! Yes - though they were blossomed with silver and had leaves of the purest gold!''
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/presidents-day/george-washington/short-stories/the-cherry-tree.html
4/12/07- Kermit & Young George Washington (Vintage Sesame Street)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCWaKIqxYUI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCWaKIqxYUI