From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
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<strong>Farm</strong> <strong>House</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>White</strong> <strong>House</strong>, by William M. Thayer 63<br />
kept, <strong>the</strong> neatness and uniformity of <strong>the</strong> handwriting, <strong>the</strong> beauty of <strong>the</strong> diagrams, and a precise method and<br />
arrangement in copying out tables and columns of figures. These particulars will not be thought <strong>to</strong>o trivial <strong>to</strong><br />
be noticed when it is known he retained similar habits through life. His business papers, day-books, ledgers,<br />
and letter-books, in which, before <strong>the</strong> Revolution, no one wrote but himself, exhibit specimens of <strong>the</strong> same<br />
studious care and exactness. Every fact occupies a clear and distinct place."<br />
Mr. Everett says: "He soon became distinguished for <strong>the</strong> accuracy of his surveys, and obtained <strong>the</strong><br />
appointment of a public surveyor, which enabled him <strong>to</strong> enter his plans as legally valid in <strong>the</strong> county offices.<br />
The imperfect manner in which land surveys at that time were generally executed led in <strong>the</strong> sequel <strong>to</strong> constant<br />
litigation; but an experienced practitioner in <strong>the</strong> Western courts pronounced in after years that, of all <strong>the</strong><br />
surveys which had come within his knowledge, those of Washing<strong>to</strong>n could alone be depended upon."<br />
Mr. Weems mentions George's connection with <strong>the</strong> family of Widow Stevenson, with whom he made<br />
headquarters while surveying Frederick County, which was <strong>the</strong>n very large, embracing what is now Berkeley,<br />
Jefferson, and Shenandoah Counties. She had seven sons, William, Valentine, John, Hugh, Dick, James, and<br />
Mark, all stalwart fellows. These seven young men, in Herculean size and strength, were equal, perhaps, <strong>to</strong><br />
any seven sons of any one mo<strong>the</strong>r in Christendom. This was a family exactly <strong>to</strong> George's mind, because<br />
promising him an abundance of that manly exercise in which he delighted.<br />
"Come," said Valentine, "let us go out <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Green, and see who <strong>the</strong> best man is."<br />
The "Green" was an extended level field in front of <strong>the</strong> house, a nice spot for jumping, wrestling, and o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
sports. By a trial <strong>to</strong> see which was "<strong>the</strong> best man," Valentine meant <strong>to</strong> see who would excel in <strong>the</strong>se athletic<br />
exercises.<br />
"Agreed," responded George, "I am tired enough <strong>to</strong> go <strong>to</strong> bed, but it always rests me <strong>to</strong> test my strength."<br />
It was just at night, and George had just come in from a trip of several days. He came around <strong>to</strong> Mrs.<br />
Stevenson's as often as he could, though he camped in <strong>the</strong> woods at night most of <strong>the</strong> time.<br />
"That is so with me," said Dick. "I sleep better after an Indian hug, or a few long leaps, or a hard run."<br />
"Provided you beat," suggested John. "I don't believe that it contributes much <strong>to</strong> your sleep when you are<br />
worsted."<br />
"Don't sleep so soundly, perhaps," replied Dick, humorously. "It would give me a pretty long nap <strong>to</strong> lay<br />
George on his back."<br />
"Yes, I think it would," re<strong>to</strong>rted George. "Perhaps you would never wake up, you would be so happy and that<br />
would be a great pity."<br />
"Well, come," urged William, who had been a close listener, "let us see what we can do. It will get <strong>to</strong> be dark<br />
while we are talking."<br />
And so <strong>the</strong>y hurried away <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> "Green" for sport. This was done again and again during his stay with <strong>the</strong><br />
Stevensons. Mr. Weems says:<br />
"Here it was that George, after a hard day's <strong>to</strong>il at surveying, like a young Greek training for <strong>the</strong> Olympic<br />
games, used <strong>to</strong> turn out with his sturdy young companions, '<strong>to</strong> see,' as <strong>the</strong>y termed it, 'which was <strong>the</strong> best man'<br />
at running, jumping, and wrestling. And so keen was <strong>the</strong>ir passion for <strong>the</strong>se sports, and so great <strong>the</strong>ir ambition<br />
<strong>to</strong> out-do one ano<strong>the</strong>r, that <strong>the</strong>y would often keep <strong>the</strong>m up, especially on moon shining nights, till bed-time.<br />
Mrs. Stevenson's sons, though not taller than George, were much heavier men; so that at wrestling, and