From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library

Farm House to the White House, by William M. Thayer 67
through the winter and spring months proved that he was beyond hope of recovery.
George had one experience in Barbadoes that we must record. He was attacked by the small-pox with
considerable severity, occasioning much anxiety to Lawrence. However, he rallied from the attack more
rapidly than was expected, his good physical condition enabling him to resist disease as weaker ones cannot.
But he carried the marks of the loathsome disease through life.
George kept a journal when abroad, as he had done at home, and the entries concerning the small-pox are as
follows:
"Nov. 4, 1751.--This morning received a card from Major Clarke, welcoming us to Barbadoes, with an
invitation to breakfast and dine with him. We went--myself with some reluctance, as the small-pox was in the
family. We were received in the most kind and friendly manner by him."
That he took the small-pox when on this friendly visit is evident from the entry in his journal for Nov. 17, as
follows:
"Was strongly attacked with the small-pox. Sent for Dr. Lanahan, whose attendance was very constant till my
recovery and going out, which were not till Thursday, the 12th of December."
We ought to state that in February of 1752, as there was no perceptible improvement in Lawrence, Dr
Lanahan decided that he should remove to Bermuda in the early spring. This would prolong his stay, and it
was agreed that George should return to Virginia, and accompany Mrs. Washington and children to Bermuda,
where she would meet her husband.
George returned, reaching Mount Vernon about the 1st of April. But Lawrence continued to fail in health,
which modified his plans, so that he relinquished the idea of going to Bermuda, preferring rather to return to
his native land and die. His wife remained at home to await his coming, about the 1st of June. He lived but six
or seven weeks after reaching Mount Vernon, and died on the 26th of July, at the age of thirty-four. Conscious
that his speedy death was inevitable, he made every arrangement necessary for the sad change. He had large
possessions, which he left to his wife and only child, though he showed his strong attachment to George by a
liberal legacy. In the event of his child's death, the Mount Vernon estate would revert to George. The child did
not long survive, whereupon this valuable estate came into George's possession. Although he was but twenty
years old when his brother died, he was the chief executor of his will.
Mr. Everett says of him: "George was appointed one of the executors of his will, by which, in the event of the
daughter's decease, Mount Vernon was bequeathed to him. Although the youngest of the executors, in
consequence of his more thorough knowledge of his brother's affairs, the responsible management of his
extensive estates devolved upon him. He did not, however, allow these private engagements to interfere with
his public duties. As the probability of a collision on the frontier increased, greater attention was paid to the
military organization of the province. On the arrival of Governor Dinwiddie from England in 1752, it was
divided into four military districts, and Washington's appointment was renewed as adjutant-general of the
northern division, in which several counties were included. The duties devolving upon him under this
commission, in attending the reviews of the militia and superintending their exercises, were performed with a
punctuality and zeal, which rapidly drew towards him the notice and favor of the community."
On the 4th of November, 1852, George was initiated into the Masonic Lodge of "Free and Accepted Masons"
at Fredericksburg, and on the third of March following, he was advanced to the second degree of fellowcraft,
and on the 4th of August next after, he was made a Master Mason.
Governor Dinwiddie's renewal of George's commission on his return, imposed immediate military duties upon
him. The organization and drilling of the militia, inspection of their arms and accoutrements, together with