William's Final Draft

William Crum
April 7, 2009

First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of his Countrymen

King George III of England was a harsh king who imposed unfair taxes on his American colonists. While King George III was reigning over England, another important George was born in America. This George grew up, got married, and got his first job. Later, George had many successes in his military work and in the government.

On February 22, 1732, George Washington was born in Virginia. On April 12, 1743, his father died when George was eleven years old. George had to help his mother take care of his sister Elizabeth and his three younger brothers, Samuel, John, and Charles. George Washington was a great, hard-working student in school. His favorite subject was arithmetic. Even as a child, George was always a great help.

George Washington grew up to have a job and a family of his own. When George was sixteen years old he got a job surveying Virginia land. After that he made maps. On January 6, 1779 George Washington married Martha Custis. Martha was a widow with two children. After George was married, he moved into a Virginia home which once was owned by his brother. George’s favorite things to do were to boat, fish, dance, and most of all he liked to ride his horse. George grew up to be a brilliant man.

George Washington had success in the military and in the government. George was appointed by the American Congress as the commander-in-chief for the War for Independence. He was appointed because of his great successes in the French and Indian War. In 1789 George Washington was elected as the first President of the United States of America. After being President for four years, President Washington was reelected as President in 1792. George ended his time in office in 1796 even though the people wanted him to serve a third term.

In the Virginia home on Mount Vernon that once belonged to his brother, George became very ill. George Washington died on December 14, 1799. Because he was so important to our nation, George Washington is known as "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."