From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library

Farm House to the White House, by William M. Thayer 63
kept, the neatness and uniformity of the handwriting, the beauty of the diagrams, and a precise method and
arrangement in copying out tables and columns of figures. These particulars will not be thought too trivial to
be noticed when it is known he retained similar habits through life. His business papers, day-books, ledgers,
and letter-books, in which, before the Revolution, no one wrote but himself, exhibit specimens of the same
studious care and exactness. Every fact occupies a clear and distinct place."
Mr. Everett says: "He soon became distinguished for the accuracy of his surveys, and obtained the
appointment of a public surveyor, which enabled him to enter his plans as legally valid in the county offices.
The imperfect manner in which land surveys at that time were generally executed led in the sequel to constant
litigation; but an experienced practitioner in the Western courts pronounced in after years that, of all the
surveys which had come within his knowledge, those of Washington could alone be depended upon."
Mr. Weems mentions George's connection with the family of Widow Stevenson, with whom he made
headquarters while surveying Frederick County, which was then very large, embracing what is now Berkeley,
Jefferson, and Shenandoah Counties. She had seven sons, William, Valentine, John, Hugh, Dick, James, and
Mark, all stalwart fellows. These seven young men, in Herculean size and strength, were equal, perhaps, to
any seven sons of any one mother in Christendom. This was a family exactly to George's mind, because
promising him an abundance of that manly exercise in which he delighted.
"Come," said Valentine, "let us go out to the Green, and see who the best man is."
The "Green" was an extended level field in front of the house, a nice spot for jumping, wrestling, and other
sports. By a trial to see which was "the best man," Valentine meant to see who would excel in these athletic
exercises.
"Agreed," responded George, "I am tired enough to go to bed, but it always rests me to test my strength."
It was just at night, and George had just come in from a trip of several days. He came around to Mrs.
Stevenson's as often as he could, though he camped in the woods at night most of the time.
"That is so with me," said Dick. "I sleep better after an Indian hug, or a few long leaps, or a hard run."
"Provided you beat," suggested John. "I don't believe that it contributes much to your sleep when you are
worsted."
"Don't sleep so soundly, perhaps," replied Dick, humorously. "It would give me a pretty long nap to lay
George on his back."
"Yes, I think it would," retorted George. "Perhaps you would never wake up, you would be so happy and that
would be a great pity."
"Well, come," urged William, who had been a close listener, "let us see what we can do. It will get to be dark
while we are talking."
And so they hurried away to the "Green" for sport. This was done again and again during his stay with the
Stevensons. Mr. Weems says:
"Here it was that George, after a hard day's toil at surveying, like a young Greek training for the Olympic
games, used to turn out with his sturdy young companions, 'to see,' as they termed it, 'which was the best man'
at running, jumping, and wrestling. And so keen was their passion for these sports, and so great their ambition
to out-do one another, that they would often keep them up, especially on moon shining nights, till bed-time.
Mrs. Stevenson's sons, though not taller than George, were much heavier men; so that at wrestling, and