"I DIE HARD, BUT I AM NOT AFRAID TO GO."

PASSING OF THE FATHER OF OUR COUNTRY 

Mount Vernon, Virginia (JFK+50) On the evening of the 14th of December, 1799, the Father of our country & 1st President of the United States, George Washington*, died here at his Mount Vernon estate.  The General was 67 years old.

According to the Mount Vernon Organization, the former president had been supervising farm activities most of the day of the 12th and, not wishing to be late for dinner, did not take time to change into dry clothing.

On the 13th, the General developed a sore throat which caused hoarseness and this became increasingly worse as the day passed.  Upon awaking at 2 a.m. on the 14th, he had difficulty breathing.  

The family physician, James Craik, arrived at 9 a.m. and diagnosed a serious health condition.  The General was 'bled' four times resulting in the loss of 32 ounces of blood.  At 5 p.m., he got out of bed to dress, but a half hour later was forced to return to bed.

 General Washington, sensing the worst, said to Dr. Craik..."I die hard, but I am not afraid to go.  It is well." 

*George Washington (1732-1799) was born in Westmoreland County, VA to Augustine and Mary Ball Washington. He began his military career in 1753 as a major in the Virginia Militia.  After serving in the French & Indian War, GW became commander of the Continental Army.  He was president of the Constitutional Convention & POTUS (1789-1797).

SOURCE

www.mountvernon.org/

George Washington on Deathbed

Harper's New Monthly Magazine

1856

"I DIE HARD, BUT I AM NOT AFRAID TO GO."

PRESIDENT WASHINGTON DIES

Alexandria, Virginia (JFK+50) On December 14, 1799, George Washington*, former General of the Continental Army and first President of the United States passed away at Mount Vernon**.

The General, who was 67 years old, took a horseback ride on his estate two days before in snow, hail and freezing rain.  Late for his evening meal, the General dined in wet clothes.  The next morning he came down with a sore throat and hoarseness.

Dr. James Craik was called in when the General began to experience breathing difficulties.  George Washington told his old friend, "I die hard, but I am not afraid to go."

The General worshiped at Christ Episcopal Church in Alexandria, Virginia.  The first diary entry he made of attending services there was on July 15,  1773. After becoming president, he attended on July 4, 1793.  One of his Bibles was presented to the church on April 12, 1804 by George Washington Parke Custis.

General Washington asked that his remains not be entombed until three days after his passing.  The body was placed in a mahogany casket in the New Room of Mount Vernon.

*George Washington (1732-1799) was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia to Augustine and Mary Ball Washington. GW served in the French & Indian War & was C&C of the Continental Army during the Revolution.  GW served as POTUS 1789-1797.

**Mount Vernon is located on the banks of the Potomac River in Fairfax County, VA.  MV was built by Augustine Washington in the 1730s. The funeral of GW was held here on Dec 18 1799 with burial in the family tomb on the estate.

 SOURCES

"Christ Church, Episcopal, Alexandria, Virginia," www.historicchristchurch.org/

"The Death of George Washington, Mount Vernon," www.mountvernon.org/

Mount Vernon Estate

Photo by Martin Falbisoner (2013)

www.commons.wikimedia.org

GEORGE WASHINGTON DIES

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 1797

FATHER OF OUR COUNTRY DIES AT MOUNT VERNON

Mount Vernon, Virginia (JFK+50) 216 years ago this evening, December 14, 1799, George Washington*, former General of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War and the first President of the United States of America, passed away at his estate here in Mount Vernon.

According to "George Washington's Mount Vernon," the General took a horseback ride on his estate on December 12, 1799 and as not to be late for his evening meal, dined in his wet clothes.  The next morning he came down with a sore throat and hoarseness.

The family doctor, James Craik was sent for when the General began to experience breathing difficulties.  Washington told his old friend, "I die hard, but I am not afraid to go."

The General worshiped at Christ Episcopal Church in Alexandria, Virginia.  The first diary entry he made of attending services there was on July 15,  1773. After becoming president, he attended on July 4, 1793.  One of his Bibles was presented to the church on April 12, 1804 by George Washington Parke Custis.

General Washington asked that his remains not be entombed until 3 days after his passing.  The body was placed in a mahogany casket in the New Room of Mount Vernon.

*George Washington (1732-1799) was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia to Augustine and Mary Ball Washington. He began his military career in 1753 as a major in the Virginia Militia.

After service in the French and Indian War, Washington became Commander in Chief of the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War.  GW was president of the Constitutional Convention and elected the 1st President of the United States in 1789.  He was re-elected in 1793.

SOURCES

"Christ Church, Episcopal, Alexandria, Virginia," www.historicchristchurch.org/

"The Death of George Washington, Mount Vernon," www.mountvernon.org/

Christ Church Episcopal

118 N Washington Street

Alexandria, Virginia

Photo by Jennifer White (2015)