The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-02-10

their father looked upon It as his principal
estate, though he lived on the Fredericksburg
plantation Lawrence Washington served as
captain under Admiral Vernon in the expedi-
ton against Cartagena, in 1740, and never re-
covered from the effects of that brief campaign,
though death did not come to him until another
twelve years had passed. Lord Fairfax, whose
estate adjoined that of the Washingtons, was
also at Cartagena, and this wartime friendship
between the two families was to grow closer in
later years through the marriage Of Lawrence
Washington into the Fairfax family and the
fondness Of Lord Fairfax for George
In 1743 after inheriting the Hunting Creek
estate, Lawrence Washington built house that
was In keeping with his station, and renamed
the estate Mount Vernon, in honor of the Brit
ish admiral under whom he had served Wealthy
and of good family, Capt. Lawrence Washing
ton lived in gentemanly state at Mount Vernon.
He was a prominent member of the house Of
Burgesses and was respected as one of the
leading men of northern Virginia.
Lawrence was fond of his half brother George
this fondness developing almost into guardian
ship. George loved his brother and was fond
of Mount Vernon too; So much of his time in
adoescent years was spent at Mount Vernon.
at Belvoir, with the Fairfaxes. who thought
highly Of this outstanding young gentleman.
George, so well connected among gentlemen Of
position and birth in northern Virginia. so pre-
became a favorite in society. Well built-he
6 feet 2-well poised clean minded. fear
less, adventurous lover of all manly sports
and gentlemanly pastimes, George Washington
also gave early evidence that he possessed the
modesty, good sense and Initiative that indicate
leadership. But he had intention of passing
his time idly. George Hume, who was surveyor
TO Lord Fairfax, grandson of Lord Culpeper
from 1743 to 1850, found the young man an apt
pupil, able. when sixteen years DID, to be in
trusted with the responsibilities of surveyor
And. as there much surveying to be done
on the vast Culpepper grant. George Washing
ton spent about three years in that way, much
of the time being passed beyond the Blue Ridge
mountains In company with one of the Fair
faxes He lived hardy life in the open, but
passed much of the winter seasons at Mount
Vernon and Belvor. During those adventurous
summers of useful responsibility the boy be-
came a man, and during the winters in refined
company he developed the courtliness that was
natural in him, but which he might have lost
in the rougher environment of the survey.
In 1851 he accompanied his half-brother
Lawrence TO Barbados whittier the latter had
been ordered by the family physician. But
Lawrence did not regain his health, and George
himself contracted smallpox. This slightly
pitted his face for life. Lawrence died in 1852,
and at his death George became responsible
for the administration of Mount Vernon and
also for the care of his niece, Lawrence's only
child The daughter did not long survive her
father and at her death George Washington.
by the terms of her fathers viii, inherited
Mount Vernon.
During the period of peace-the calm before
the storm-Colonel Washington saw much of
Mount Vernon. In 1859. he married the richest
woman in the Potomac region, Martha the
widow OF Daniel Parke Custis- OF the next few
years in Washingtons life one historian las
written:
His style Of life as the lord of Mount Vernon
was almost baronial He had chariot and four
with black positions in livery. for the use of his
wife, while be himself always appeared on horse