George Washington: Surveyor and Family Man

George Washington: Surveyor image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 24, 2008

1. George Washington: Surveyor

Inscription.
George Washington: Surveyor
George Washington loved mathematics, a passion he put to work when he learned to survey land, a useful trade in colonial America. At the age of 15, his first surveying job was to map his brother's turnip field. Washington accompanied the official survey party to map the frontiers in western Virginia when he was 16 years old. At 18, he was appointed surveyor for Culpeper County, Virginia. George relished the work despite the discomfort of sleeping in the field under "one thread Bear blanket with double its Weight of Vermin...."

George Washington: Family Man
Born into a planter family in 1732, George Washington received schooling in the morals, manners, and body of knowledge required for an 18th century Virginia gentleman. He loved outdoor sports - hunting, fishing, riding - and earned a reputation for himself as one of Virginia's best horsemen.

When George was eleven years old, his father died, leaving him to move back and forth between several Washington family estates, first with his mother and then with his favorite older half brother Lawrence. In 1759, George married Martha Custis, wealthy

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widow with two children, and became one of the richest men in Virginia. Martha proved to be an excellent companion for George for the rest of his life; he, in return, was a steadfast husband and devoted father to her children.

Erected by National Park Service in partnership with the George Washington's Fredericksburg Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1732.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 38° 18.991′ N, 77° 30.298′ W. Marker was in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It was on Interstate 95, on the right when traveling south. Located in front of the Fredericksburg Rest Stop / Welcome Center on I-95 south bound, just past the Rappahannock River bridge. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 400 Bragg Hill Dr, Fredericksburg VA 22401, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally,

George Washington: Family Man image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 24, 2008

2. George Washington: Family Man

this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It was also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Freedom, A Work in Progress / Fredericksburg, Virginia (here, next to this marker); Fredericksburg in a Flash / Byway to Highway (here, next to this marker); Fredericksburg, Virginia / Area Museums (a few steps from this marker); A Family Affair: The Washingtons / Visitors-in-Chief (a few steps from this marker); The History of Baseball in Fredericksburg (approx. ¼ mile away); Quest For Knowledge (approx. 0.4 miles away); Henry "Box" Brown (approx. 0.4 miles away); Endurance Through It All (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.

Other markers

One in a Set of Marker at the Welcome Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain

3. One in a Set of Marker at the Welcome Center

no longer nearby. George Washington: Soldier and Virginia Planter (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); George Washington: Statesman and Public Servant (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); Historic Kenmore and George Washington's Ferry Farm (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. The markers display several drawings and paintings relevant to Washington's surveying activities and his family life.

Also see . . . Historic Kenmore. Web site of the George Washington Fredericksburg Foundation. (Submitted on December 7, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)