George Washington’s Life at Mount Vernon

Colonial Settlement
Written By Tom Hand

George Washington married Martha Dandridge Custis, a wealthy 26-year-old widow, on January 6, 1759. They were a couple well suited for each other and made their home at Mount Vernon. Washington managed the estate with his customary zeal and energy, rising early every morning and working the land six days a week, leaving Sunday for church and entertaining friends. As was typical on plantations, enslaved people performed most of the work at Mount Vernon. Washington was opposed to the institution of slavery but did not free his slaves until he died, granting them their freedom in his will, the only founding father to do so.

Tom Hand, creator and publisher of Americana Corner, discusses George Washington’s life at Mount Vernon, and why it still matters today.

Images courtesy of Museums at Washington and Lee University, Library of Congress, The Walters Art Museum, Mount Vernon Ladies Association, Mount Vernon, Encyclopedia Virginia, slaveryimages.org, Wikipedia. 

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Tom Hand
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