"UNSURPASSED HISTORICALLY"

CONGRESS TO AUTHORIZE GRAND BOULEVARD FROM MT. VERNON TO CAPITAL

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On November 15, 1925, The Sunday Star reports that "construction of a great memorial entrance to the National Capital from the south...will probably be ordered by the incoming Congress."

Congressman R. Walton Moore*, who represents the Mount Vernon district, will "reintroduce" the bill authorizing building of an 80-foot boulevard from Mount Vernon to Washington, D.C.

The project, described as "unsurpassed historically" by Will P. Kennedy, has been under consideration for the past four decades.  The idea was originally that of President George Washington.

*Robert Walton Moore (1859-1941) was born in Fairfax County, Virginia & was educated in law at the University of Virginia.  RWM served in U.S. Congress 1919-1931 & was one of the few Virginia politicians to support the New Deal.  He served as Asst. Sec of State 1937-1941.

SOURCE

"80-Foot Boulevard From Mt. Vernon To Capital Urged," by Will P. Kennedy, The Sunday Star, Washington, D.C., November 15, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

R. Walton Moore

Harris & Ewing Photo

Library of Congress

"GENERAL'S LAST WORDS: 'IT IS WELL!'"

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/

 

 

"George Washington on Deathbed"

Harper's New Monthly Magazine

1856

"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

FATHER OF OUR COUNTRY

JFK+50:  Volume 7, No. 2228

GEORGE WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY

Westmoreland County, Virginia (JFK+50) Two hundred eighty-five years ago today, February 22, 1732, the father of our country and future first President of the United States, George Washington*, was born here in Westmoreland County.

George's first job was as a surveyor in the Shenandoah Valley at age 17.  He served in the French and Indian War and was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses as well as the Continental Congress.  

General Washington was the unanimous choice of the congress to be commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.  After leading his nation to victory, he was elected President of the United States.  After serving two terms, he retired to Mount Vernon.

*George Washington (1732-1799) was the son of Augustine & Mary Ball Washington.  He helped manage the family home located on the Rappahannock River after his father's death when George was 11 years old.

GW's formal education ended at age 15.  He did not attend college, but became a county surveyor.  He married Martha Dandridge Custis in 1759 and was a gentleman farmer from 1759 to 1775.  GW served in the Virginia Militia during the French & Indian War and the rest is history.

SOURCE

"Biography of George Washington," George Washington's Mount Vernon, www.mountvernon.org/

George Washington

Portrait by Charles Wilson Peale

Oil on Canvas

National Portrait Gallery

Photo by John White (2016)

TEDDY'S 85TH BIRTHDAY

Dorchester, Massachusetts (JFK+50) Eighty-five years ago today, February 22, 1932, the brother of future President John F. Kennedy, Edward Moore "Teddy" Kennedy was born at St. Margaret's Hospital here in Dorchester.

Rose Kennedy traveled from New York to Boston in order that her baby could be delivered by Frederick L. Good, the family obstetrician.    Teddy was the fourth son and ninth child of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. 

Ted was named after Joe's personal aide and close friend, Edward Moore.

Mr. Moore had been assistants to three mayors of Boston including John F. "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald, Ted's grandfather.

Senator Kennedy wrote...

"At the time of my birth...the family spent summers and early autumns in Hyannis Port, and then headed to Bronxville, New York for winters.  We lived there in winter for six years after I was born.

From my vantage point as the youngest...my family did not so much live in the world as comprise (it).  We depended on one another.  We loved one another.  We were mutually loyal...with an intensity that owed more to joy than an urge to dominate."

Teddy was elected to the Senate in 1962 when his brothers were President and Attorney General of the United States.  With the deaths of both, he continued to serve, spending almost forty-seven years in the Senate where he proposed more than 300 bills that were enacted into law.

Senator Edward Moore Kennedy died at the age of 77 on August 25, 2009.  His remains are interred in the Kennedy plot at Arlington National Cemetery.

SOURCES

"The Kennedys:  A Chronological History, 1823-Present," by Harvey Rachlin, World Almanac, New York, 1986.

"True Compass:  A Memoir," by Edward M. Kennedy, Twelve, Hatchette Book Group, New York, 2009.

Senator Edward M. Kennedy

Massachusetts (D)

Official U.S. Senate Portrait

GEORGE WASHINGTON'S DEATH

GEORGE WASHINGTON DIED 224 YEARS AGO 

Mount Vernon, Virginia (JFK+50) George Washington*, Father of our Nation and First President of the United States passed away, at the age of sixty-seven, 224 years ago this evening, December 14, 1799, at his Mount Vernon estate.*

According to the Mount Vernon Organization, the former president had been "out supervising farming activities" most of the day, Thursday, December 12th.

Known for punctuality, Mr. Washington did not want to be late for dinner and did not change into dry clothing.

On Friday, December 13th, GW developed a sore throat which caused hoarseness and became increasingly worse during the day.

He awoke on Saturday morning, December 14th at 2 a.m. with breathing difficulty.

James Craik, the Washington family doctor of 40 years, arrived at 9 a.m. and immediately determined the former president's condition to be serious.

Accepted treatments of the day included "bleeding," and so GW's was "bled" 4 times resulting in a loss of 32 ounces of blood.

At 5 p.m., Washington got up from his bed and dressed, but had to go back to bed 30 minutes later.  

He said to his doctor...

"I die hard, but I am not afraid to go."

President George Washington passed away between 10 and 11 p.m.  His beloved wife, Martha, sat at the foot of his bed.

His last words were "It is well."

George Washington on Deathbed

Harper's New Monthly Magazine

1856

The President's remains were placed in a mahogany casket and lay in state in the New Room of his home.

Burial was, as he requested, not sooner than 3 days after his death, December 18, 1799.

In France, Napoleon declared a ten day period of mourning.

The First President of the United States, "First in war, First in peace, and First in the hearts of his countrymen," was interred at Mount Vernon.  In 1837, a new tomb was completed for his remains and those of his wife.

Tomb of George and Martha Washington

Mount Vernon, Virginia

Historic American Building Survey

*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 service in the French and Indian War, GW became Commander in Chief of the Continental Army.  He was president of the Constitutional Convention and elected president of the US in 1789.  He was re-elected in 1793.

According to Mike Purdy, this was the last entry in Washington's Journal, dated Dec 14, 1799:

"Morning snowing, and about 3 inches deep.  Wind at ne, and mercury at 30. Continued snowing till one o'clock, and about four it became perfectly clear. Wind at the same place, but not hard.  Mercury 28 at night."


SOURCES

www.mountvernon.org/

www.purdyspresidentialhistory.blogspot.com