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 67<br />
through <strong>the</strong> winter and spring months proved that he was beyond hope of recovery.<br />
George had one experience in Barbadoes that we must record. He was attacked by <strong>the</strong> small-pox with<br />
considerable severity, occasioning much anxiety <strong>to</strong> Lawrence. However, he rallied from <strong>the</strong> attack more<br />
rapidly than was expected, his good physical condition enabling him <strong>to</strong> resist disease as weaker ones cannot.<br />
But he carried <strong>the</strong> marks of <strong>the</strong> loathsome disease through life.<br />
George kept a journal when abroad, as he had done at home, and <strong>the</strong> entries concerning <strong>the</strong> small-pox are as<br />
follows:<br />
"Nov. 4, 1751.--This morning received a card from Major Clarke, welcoming us <strong>to</strong> Barbadoes, with an<br />
invitation <strong>to</strong> breakfast and dine with him. We went--myself with some reluctance, as <strong>the</strong> small-pox was in <strong>the</strong><br />
family. We were received in <strong>the</strong> most kind and friendly manner by him."<br />
That he <strong>to</strong>ok <strong>the</strong> small-pox when on this friendly visit is evident from <strong>the</strong> entry in his journal for Nov. 17, as<br />
follows:<br />
"Was strongly attacked with <strong>the</strong> small-pox. Sent for Dr. Lanahan, whose attendance was very constant till my<br />
recovery and going out, which were not till Thursday, <strong>the</strong> 12th of December."<br />
We ought <strong>to</strong> state that in February of 1752, as <strong>the</strong>re was no perceptible improvement in Lawrence, Dr<br />
Lanahan decided that he should remove <strong>to</strong> Bermuda in <strong>the</strong> early spring. This would prolong his stay, and it<br />
was agreed that George should return <strong>to</strong> Virginia, and accompany Mrs. Washing<strong>to</strong>n and children <strong>to</strong> Bermuda,<br />
where she would meet her husband.<br />
George returned, reaching Mount Vernon about <strong>the</strong> 1st of April. But Lawrence continued <strong>to</strong> fail in health,<br />
which modified his plans, so that he relinquished <strong>the</strong> idea of going <strong>to</strong> Bermuda, preferring ra<strong>the</strong>r <strong>to</strong> return <strong>to</strong><br />
his native land and die. His wife remained at home <strong>to</strong> await his coming, about <strong>the</strong> 1st of June. He lived but six<br />
or seven weeks after reaching Mount Vernon, and died on <strong>the</strong> 26th of July, at <strong>the</strong> age of thirty-four. Conscious<br />
that his speedy death was inevitable, he made every arrangement necessary for <strong>the</strong> sad change. He had large<br />
possessions, which he left <strong>to</strong> his wife and only child, though he showed his strong attachment <strong>to</strong> George by a<br />
liberal legacy. In <strong>the</strong> event of his child's death, <strong>the</strong> Mount Vernon estate would revert <strong>to</strong> George. The child did<br />
not long survive, whereupon this valuable estate came in<strong>to</strong> George's possession. Although he was but twenty<br />
years old when his bro<strong>the</strong>r died, he was <strong>the</strong> chief execu<strong>to</strong>r of his will.<br />
Mr. Everett says of him: "George was appointed one of <strong>the</strong> execu<strong>to</strong>rs of his will, by which, in <strong>the</strong> event of <strong>the</strong><br />
daughter's decease, Mount Vernon was bequea<strong>the</strong>d <strong>to</strong> him. Although <strong>the</strong> youngest of <strong>the</strong> execu<strong>to</strong>rs, in<br />
consequence of his more thorough knowledge of his bro<strong>the</strong>r's affairs, <strong>the</strong> responsible management of his<br />
extensive estates devolved upon him. He did not, however, allow <strong>the</strong>se private engagements <strong>to</strong> interfere with<br />
his public duties. As <strong>the</strong> probability of a collision on <strong>the</strong> frontier increased, greater attention was paid <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
military organization of <strong>the</strong> province. On <strong>the</strong> arrival of Governor Dinwiddie from England in 1752, it was<br />
divided in<strong>to</strong> four military districts, and Washing<strong>to</strong>n's appointment was renewed as adjutant-general of <strong>the</strong><br />
nor<strong>the</strong>rn division, in which several counties were included. The duties devolving upon him under this<br />
commission, in attending <strong>the</strong> reviews of <strong>the</strong> militia and superintending <strong>the</strong>ir exercises, were performed with a<br />
punctuality and zeal, which rapidly drew <strong>to</strong>wards him <strong>the</strong> notice and favor of <strong>the</strong> community."<br />
On <strong>the</strong> 4th of November, 1852, George was initiated in<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Masonic Lodge of "Free and Accepted Masons"<br />
at Fredericksburg, and on <strong>the</strong> third of March following, he was advanced <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> second degree of fellowcraft,<br />
and on <strong>the</strong> 4th of August next after, he was made a Master Mason.<br />
Governor Dinwiddie's renewal of George's commission on his return, imposed immediate military duties upon<br />
him. The organization and drilling of <strong>the</strong> militia, inspection of <strong>the</strong>ir arms and accoutrements, <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r with