INTERESTING HISTORY NEWSLETTER
March 30, 2009
George Washington: The Man (Part 1)
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for Part 2
Most of us know that George Washington was a great General that
led the colonists through the Revolutionary War. Equally well known is the fact that George Washington was the
first president elected under our current Constitution. But many of us don’t know nearly as much about the man
himself.
It is hard to imagine but even though Washington was elected as
our first President, he almost never had a chance to serve in the office. Washington was stricken with many serious
illnesses throughout his life from childhood until death including many life-threatening diseases such as smallpox,
tuberculosis, malaria, pneumonia, and influenza. The disease that finally lead to his death was thought to be
diphtheria at the time (in the 18th century it was called “croup”) but more recently, it has been suggested that it might have
been an inflammation of the larynx and vocal cords caused by a strain of virulent streptococci. In fact it also
might have been his treatment (the practice of bleeding) which contributed to his death.
During Washington’s time as president, he would bow to his
visitors rather than shake hands believing that hand shaking was beneath the office of the presidency. He
surrounded himself with great men and was willing to listen to their opinions. Washington held the office of
president in high regard and always wanted to make a good impression. As president, he visited every state in the
Union at the time and he would often ride in a carriage until he was close to his destination then mount his white
horse Nelson so he could arrive in style.
Despite his reputation as a great leader and motivator, George
Washington was somewhat socially awkward and shy. As a young man he had fallen in love several times but his
proposal of marriage was rejected on at least two occasions. One of his early loves was for Sally Fairfax. Sally
was elegant, slim, and sophisticated but she was also married to one of his good friends. Although he realized his
feelings could never be fully reciprocated, it did not stop him from writing several letters to her over the years
declaring the depth of his passion and devotion to her. The final such letter was written only a year before his
death.
In spite of his feelings for Sally, Washington married Martha
Custis, a short, plump woman who was also the richest widow in Virginia. As time went on, George and Martha
developed a genuine attachment to one another. Unfortunately the details of their relationship remain somewhat of a
mystery since Martha burned all their correspondence after his death.
Mark
Bowman
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