Family anecdote――George lives with his half-brother Augustine about
three years, and attends Mr. Williams’s school――his manuscript book of
forms――his rules of behavior.
About this time, Captain Lawrence Washington married Ann, the daughter
of Mr. William Fairfax, a relation of Lord Thomas Fairfax.
Mr. Augustine Washington left his estate on the river Potomac, in
Fairfax county, to his eldest son, Lawrence, who called it Mount
Vernon, in honor of Admiral Vernon. He left his estate at Pope’s
Creek to his second son, Augustine. Mrs. Augustine Washington and her
family continued to reside on the farm near Fredericksburg.――Upon her
now devolved the care of the plantation. Her first born son, George,
continued to live with her some months after his father’s death.
During this period, a circumstance happened which shows that George,
though a good boy on the whole, was not wholly exempt from youthful
rashness. His mother owned a beautiful colt, which, never having been
broken, was remarkably wild. George delighted to look at this colt
as he pranced about the pasture, snuffing up the wind, wheeling and
halting and displaying his fine proportions. He often wished himself
upon the colt’s back. One day he engaged some of his school companions
to come early the next morning and help him to take a ride before
breakfast.――They came, and found the colt at no great distance from
the house. After a great deal of difficulty they contrived to corner
him and put a bridle upon him. Several boys held the bridle while
George leaped upon his back. A violent struggle followed.――The horse
seemed determined to shake off his rider, and his rider seemed equally
determined to keep his seat. At length the noble animal, in the fury
of his plunges, fell headlong and burst a blood vessel. This killed
him instantly. George received no injury by the fall; but when he saw
the poor creature lie dead, and considered his mother’s attachment
to the animal, he began to look very serious. The call to breakfast
was soon heard. Some of George’s companions had been invited to take
breakfast with him that morning. The boys were all remarkably silent at
the table. Whether Mrs. Washington had any suspicions that all was not
right, is uncertain. But she inquired if they had seen any thing of her
fine sorrel colt, in their rambles. Neither of the boys replied to this
question. She repeated it. There was now no escape.――George’s character
for truth and frankness had been tried when he was much younger. It
did not then fail; it must not now fail. “Your sorrel colt is dead,
mother,” replied George. “Dead, George!” exclaimed Mrs. Washington,
with surprise. “Yes, he is dead.” “How came he dead, George?”――“I
will tell you, mother. I am the one in fault.” He then related all the
circumstances just as they happened. “I very much regret the loss of my
colt,” said Mrs. Washington; “but I rejoice to hear my son frankly tell
the truth, without showing any disposition to cast his own faults upon
others.”
Soon after this occurrence, George was sent to Pope’s Creek, the place
of his nativity, to live with his half-brother Augustine. The chief
object of sending him there was that he might have the benefit of a
respectable school in the neighborhood, kept by a Mr. Williams. He
remained with his half-brother and attended that school about three
years. An old gentleman, who was one of Mr. Williams’s scholars at
that time, has often said that such was George’s reputation for truth,
impartiality and good judgment among his schoolmates, that they were
continually referring their disputes to him, and so great was their
confidence in him, that his decisions were seldom called in question.
He said nothing was more common, when the boys were in high dispute
about some question of fact, than for one of them to call out, “Well,
boys, George Washington was there! George Washington was there! He
knows all about it; and if he don’t say it was so, why then we will
give it up.”
Though George Washington was naturally of a resolute and martial
spirit, he was habitually gentle and obliging in his conduct. He never
quarrelled with his companions; and he would always endeavor to settle
their quarrels with each other. If he could not calm their passions and
prevent their fighting by his arguments, he would inform the instructor
of their barbarous intentions; though by doing so he often brought upon
himself their censure at the time.
At Mr. Williams’s school, George was taught Arithmetic, English
Grammar, Book Keeping, Surveying and Geography.[1] He wrote his school
exercises in arithmetic and geometry in a remarkably neat, fair hand.
The number and accuracy of his geometrical figures, shows the strong
bent of his inclination to mathematical studies. When he was thirteen
years old, he began a manuscript book, which he entitled “_Forms of
Writing_.” In it he copied out with great care and exactness, forms of
different kinds used in the transaction of business, such as a note of
hand, a bill of exchange, a bond, an indenture, a lease, a will. Then
follow two or three select pieces of poetry. Among them are “Lines on
True Happiness.”――Then follow a collection of a hundred and ten maxims,
written out and numbered.――These he entitles “_Rules of civility and
proper behavior in company and conversation_.” He does not mention
from what source he derived these rules. They seem well calculated to
improve the manners and morals of a young person, and no doubt had a
favorable influence in forming the future deportment and character of
Washington. The following is a selection from these rules.
[1] Weems.