George Washington’s Family Tree

George Washington had traces of his family from North America to John Washington, his great grandfather that had migrated from England to Virginia. The family acquired some divergence in England and were also granted land from Henry VII. During the Puritan Revolution, much of the family's wealth was lost and so George's grandfather, Lawrence Washington, migrated to Virginia. George's father, Augustine Washington, was born in the year 1694. He was a very determined man who managed to gain land, slaves, build mills, and grow tobacco. George's father who was a lead planter in their area and also played a apart in serving as a justice of the county court. Augustine Washington was firstly married to Jane Butler, who had died in 1729. This left him with two sons, Lawrence and Augustine Jr and a daughter, Jane. Augustine was then married to George's mother, Mary Bell Washington, in 1731. George was the eldest of all the children.

Later at the age of eleven years old, George's Father had died

The world knows very little about George Washington's education, as most commonly, children of Virginia gentry were homeschooled by private tutors or in local private schools. Boys at the age of seven began their school education by taking lessons in reading, writing, and basic arithmetic. As they got older, they were taught both Latin and Greek, as well as commonly known subjects like geometry, bookkeeping, and surveying. Planters that were wealthy after sent their children to England to finish their schooling, as this was done to George's two elder half brothers, Lawrence and Augustine.However the death of George's father made schooling for him overseas nearly impossible for him. Although he may have attend a school near his home for the first few years. Later he moved to another school, this was either in Fredericksburg, Stafford County, or Westmoreland County. He was a star in mathematics and learnt about the first principles of surveying. But he was never taught Latin or Greek like many other students did, this left him with no knowledge of speaking a foreign language. At the age of 15, George did not attend college and his education had ended. On the 6 January 1759, Washington married Martha Drandrige Custis, a widow who was only a few months older than him. Martha had also brought with her to the marriage a 18,000-acre estate, from which George personally acquired 6,000 acres. Entitled to this land and more gifted from his military service, Washington had become one of the most wealthy land owners in Virginia. The marriage with Martha had also brought two young children from her previous husband. They were John(Jacky) aged six, and Martha(Patsy), aged 4.

Although these were not George Washington's children, he still loved them as if they were his own. Just before the Revolution Patsy had passed away, while Jacky had died during the Revolution. This left George sad and miserable and had later adopted two of his own children.By the age of sixteen, George Washington had hand copied the '110 Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation', which was based on a set of rules created by French Jesuits in 1595. The very first English translation of the French rules had appeared in 1640, and are credited to Francis Hawkins, the twelve-year old son of a doctor. These rules were what help shape Washington's behaviour and how he attracted the loyalty and respect from all who served with him during the American Revolution and his Presidency. Most of the rules are troubled with details of good manner, offering pointers on such issues that include how to dress, walk, eat in public and address ones superiors. The rules have a common focus on other people rather than the 'eagle-eye' focus on our own self-interests.

These rules had demonstrated our respect for others and in turn allows us to understand the gift of self-respect and high self-esteem.In the 1790s, the United States were left struggling to claim both its political and economic independence, as well as having the new nation encounter difficulties in foreign relations when its two primary trading partners, Britain and France, went to war again. President George Washington seemed to follow a strict policy of neutrality, which would allow American Merchants and ships to trade with both countries during their war, while not aiding neither in their war efforts. However, Britain had seized many American ships and their cargo, as they argued that they were aiding the French war effort. Britain in addition had still barred American ships from takin part in the Lucrative West Indian treed, a policy that was formed during the American Revolution. These actions conducted by the British had left many Americans angry. As George Washington worked to keep the United States out of war, he thought towards a more diplomatic solution. He sent for John Jay, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, to England in 1794 in order to negotiate a peaceful solution towards the issues. Jay had concluded a Treaty in which Britain had promised to leave its forts in the Great Lakes Region, agreed to peace making for disputes over the Canadian border, and gave American ships limited trading rights. Jays Treaty still needed to ear Senate approval. Soon later Jays Treaty was imperfect but still a success.

19 November 1794, American statesman John Jay signed the Amity, Commerce, and Navigation Treaty with Britain. Now known as the Jay Treaty, it was designed to provide a solution to the argument between the United States and Britain. Even though the Treaty had left out a few important issues unresolved, its approval had divided politicians that occupied the young federal government. This had successfully allowed the United States to avoid war with Britain.

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