GEORGE WASHINGTON DEAD AT MOUNT VERNON, AGE 67
Alexandria, Virginia (JFK+50) On December 14, 1799, George Washington*, first President of the United States (1789-1797) passed away on his Mount Vernon** estate.
According to the Mount Vernon Organization, General Washington had been "out supervising farming activities" most of the day Thursday, December 12th," with weather conditions including light snow, hail and rain.
When he came in for dinner, his clothes were wet but not wanting to be late for the meal, he did not change into dry clothing. Mount Vernon would have three inches of snow the following day.
On Friday, December 13, General Washington developed a sore throat causing hoarseness which worsened during the day. On Saturday morning the 14th he awoke with breathing issues.
The family doctor was called to Mount Vernon where he classified the General's condition as serious. The condition worsened during the day and with his wife, Martha, at the foot of his bed he said, "It is well." Those were his last words.
George Washington passed between 10 and 11 p.m., December 14, 1799.
JFK+50 NOTE
Thomas Jefferson wanted 3 accomplishments to be engraved on his tombstone, "author of the Declaration of Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom & father of the University of Virginia."
While George Washington did not leave such a list of accomplishments for his tombstone, I would think if limited to 3 these would have been appropriate...
"Commander of the Continental Army, president of the Constitutional Convention and Father of His Country."
*George Washington (1732-1799) was born at Popes Creek, Virginia & served as a delegate in the Continental Congress, commander of the Continental Army 1775-1783, president of the Constitutional Convention 1787 before becoming 1st POTUS. It was said of GW, "1st in war, 1st in peace & 1st in the hearts of his countrymen."
**Mount Vernon, located on the banks of the Potomac River 15 miles south of Washington, D.C. in Fairfax County, originally included 8,000 acres. The plantation mansion was built in 1755. GW's remains lay in state on the portico & were interred in a tomb on the grounds.
SOURCES
"George Washington Died 224 Years Ago," JFK+50, December 14, 2013, www.jfk50.blogspot.com/
"The Death of George Washington," George Washington's Mount Vernon, www.mountvernon.org/
