First U.S. president. Washington was born on February 22, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia. A student of military science, in 1753 he began several years service with the Virginia militia in the French and Indian Wars, taking command of all Virginia forces in 1755 and participating in several dangerous actions. He resigned his commission in 1758, following his election to the Virginia House of Burgesses, 1759-1774.
In 1759, Washington married the wealthy widow Martha Custis, securing his fortune and social position. In 1774, Washington participated in the First Continental Congress and took command of the Virginia militia; by the next year the Second Congress made him commander in chief of the Continental army, June 1775. Washington led American forces through the Revolution.
Notable among his achievements were the crossing of the Delaware to rout enemy forces at Trenton on Christmas night of 1776 and his holding the army together during winter encampment at Valley Forge in 1777-1778. His victory over the British at Yorktown in 1781 ended the war, but for almost two more years he had to strive to keep the colonists from splintering.
He returned to Mount Vernon in 1783, but maintained a presence in the debate over the country's future. In 1789, the first electors unanimously voted Washington as President; he was reelected in 1793. In 1796, Washington announced he would not run again. He died in 1799 at Mount Vernon.
From the guide to the Holograph Letter from General George Washington to Ensign Marsh, New York., (Repository Unknown)
