US Presidential Ponderings: February 2024

There are few primary resources for Mary Ball Washington so it is difficult to get a full sense of who she was and her character other than her motherhood of George Washington. At best, she is remembered as a strong and independent woman as many recent biographers of her son have described her in much less flattering language.

Source: New York Public Library

She married Augustine Washington in 1731 and was then widowed in 1743 with responsibility for 5 children and the management of Ferry Farm, Augustine's estate. Simply said, she had to be strong and independent.

Mount Vernon Ladies Association produced this biographic video of Martha.

Recent biographers of Martha Ball Washington have been uncovered her story and life. Mount Vernon recently hosted a discussion with these authors.

Martha did live to see George become the first President of the United States. This engraving, done years later, depicts the last visit between the two of them. It credits George as saying:

All that I am I owe to my mother.

Source: New York Public Library

At the age of 21 George Washington was charged with delivering an important message to the French in the Ohio Valley from Robert Dinwiddie. The French were encroaching on territory which the English claimed. Before a military excursion into this territory the English were compelled to warn the French of their claims and give the French an opportunity to withdraw peaceably.

Washington and a team of 6 others, including Christopher Gist, a surveyor and woodsman familiar with the back country, made this dangerous journey in the late fall of 1753. Gist has made previous trips in the Ohio Valley at the behest of the Ohio Company, so was well suited as a guide for the younger Washington.

On this journey Washington encountered several Native American kings including Shingriss (of the Delawares), and the "Half-King" of the Six Nations. He gained a first hand education on the intricacies of diplomacy with both Native Americans and the French. His message to the French, which was amicably received did not have the desired intent to cause the French to withdraw. This result necessitated a second journey into the Ohio country with greater numbers and a military aura. Washington kept a detailed journal of his experience which is and interesting view into his mindset and learnings.

After meeting with the French, to hasten their return to the Virginia colony, Gist and Washington separated from the other members of the expedition. Gist and Washington made a harrowing attempt at crossing the Allegheny river on a poorly made raft with ice flows and freezing temperatures. Washington was thrown from the raft into the icy waters and he and Gist ultimately sheltered on a small island in the middle of the river, continuing the next day after the river completely froze over.

These two pieces, done many years later, depict there harrowing attempt at the Allegheny River crossing.