Evening star., 1932-02-21

IN Wh1cn, as DOy George washington Wol
out his surveys and plotted them, are all
remain Of the original buildings ON the pl
The tract, with . great deal Of adjacent
which George Washington later owned,
been purchased BY the George Wasa1in
fomdatlon, OF washington, D. c., and Will be
RsAns + national shrine for the youth Of
America in memory Of washington's boyhood
days. -" -a
That the family was still poor Is attested
by the fact that Augustine bought only 100
acres Of land, q mere lawn In those days Of
great estates But there were advantages.
There was access to schools for the children
in two towns, Falmouth, on the same side Of
the river as the farm and two miles distant;
Fredericksburg, opposite 1t and reached by the
ferry
As the children grew up they were sent to
these schools, and young Georges first &C
Guaintance with books was under Master
Hobby In Falmouth, to which he rode on a
horse, or walked, each day. Master Hobby in
later years when he had a bit too much Of
rum punch was won't to boast that it was his
tutoring which made George great After
year or two here George was sent to school in
Fredericksburg to Parson James Maryes
academy, while Betty was sent to learn stitch
ing knitting and other things" at a school for
young females in the town. As they grew
older Samuel, John and little Charles joined
them and all five of the young Washingtons
CAOSSCO LII Tile mOIAulk NJ t1c 1cAIy dAQ IAuOSCO
up Rocky Lane-whose cobbled pavement and
high stone walls still remind one Of those days
and along the streets to school. It was .
long trip, and when the wind had chilled
them Is they crossed In the nat-bottom ferry,
they would stop at the tavern Of Thomas
Thornton. nearby the wharf-which also still
stands reminiscent Of the Washington children
to warm by his great open IRE. Mrs. Wash
mgton often stopped here, too to warm herself
or have . glass Of toddy On her way to or from
town.
IT vas IN these years and On the Ferry farm
that the legends Of the cherry tree which
George cut down and the colts neck which he
broke were placed. It Is probable that they
a1e based upon solid fact. The stories first
appeared in The Life Of George Washington"
By PAyscn Mason L. Weems, and George WASH
ineton = nid to have reid one Of the first
copies, which came out In the year Of his
DEATH and to have enjoyed 1t, although he
laughed at some Of the nowery language.
Being q stickler for truth Washington would
undoubtedly have asked weenas to correct the
stories had they been without basis. Or would
himself have denied them. Weems, who ped
died Tom Payne's works, the Bible and his
own book from his cart stopped at any hos
pitable home he was near when meal time
came or nightfall, and was q number Of times
. guest at Ferry farm and knew the family
well. As to the story Of George Washington
throwing q Spanish silver dollar across the
Rappehannock River, 1t is q feat that can be
accomplished, and his nephew, Robert Lewis,
said that he saw it done.
The father Of the family died in 1742, and
soon Augustine, jr., who was many years older
than George. left to take up his residence at
Wakefield. and Lawrence, also much older.
sailed with Admiral Vernon on the British
fleet George WA 10 QlthO1Oh
continued at school for q time, he soon became
'the head Of the house." and was the owner
of the home and farm which his father had
willed to him. In spite Of difficulties, Mrs.
Washington and George managed to get along
and to buy more land although their strugRle