December Founder of the Month:
Founding Father -
George Washington 1732-1799
President Washington and his wife, Martha, were very big entertainers at Christmas. Although Christmas cards were not used until the mid-19th Century, George and Martha Washington sent many invitations during the eight Christmas seasons that George ran the United States, and they were often joined by relatives, friends and many prominent people of the times.
Washington was considered a fair man and would give his slaves and servants a good Christmas holiday. He spelled out in his contract of 1787 with a new gardener the amount of time for Christmas celebrations:
“In Consideration of these things being well and truly performed on the part of the sd. Philip Bater [or Bates], the said George Washington doth agree to allow him…four Dollars at Christmas, with which he may be drunk 4 days and 4 nights; two Dollars at Easter to effect the same purpose; two Dollars also at Whitsuntide (which means Pentecost) to be drunk two days…”
The only people who did not have days off for Christmas were the house servants. 1787 also saw Washington spending 18 shillings to bring a camel to Mount Vernon for the Christmas holidays. The Washington’s spent lavishly; they loved music, dance, and festive occasions and would send hand written invitations to friends and family to celebrate the twelve days of Christmas. These were the “Christmas cards” of the 1800s.
President Washington missed the Christmas of 1799 when he fell ill on December 12th and died on December 14th. In his will Washington left provisions that his slaves would be freed upon the death of his wife Martha, however, she freed them shortly after his death. George Washington is, to this day, considered the most honorable and beloved president.
Although, there are many myths that have grown up around Washington, some have been disproved. He never cut down a cherry tree, he didn’t throw a silver dollar across the Potomac, and his teeth weren’t made of wood. He did have false teeth, but they were made of ivory. The other stories concerning his character seem to all be true.
Congressman Henry Lee (otherwise known as Light horse Harry), a comrade from the Revolution, said upon his death that Washington was:
First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none in humble and enduring scenes of private life. Pious, just, humane, temperate, and sincere; uniform, dignified, and commanding; his example was as edifying to all around him as were the effects of that example lasting…Correct throughout, vice shuddered in his presence and virtue always felt his fostering hand. The purity of his private character gave effulgence to his public virtues…Such was the man for whom our nation mourns…
George Washington 1732-1799
