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King
and Queen Washington
It
is just as well George and Martha Washington were humble, good
people, otherwise America would now be a royalist country, hailing
the King or Queen directly descended from The Washington genetic
line.
Following
the War of Independence, Washington stopped the efforts of his own
senior officers, organized by his aide Alexander Hamilton, to
declare George king, and erect a military dictatorship.
George
didn’t want to be king … he didn’t want to be president … he
didn’t want to be Commander in Chief of the army fighting the
English for America’s independence.
However, George felt that his duty to his country demanded he
be Commander in Chief – he retired as soon as the war was over.
He also became president because he thought his country
needed him. He retired
as quickly as he could. George
did not become king – he died a free, and ordinary, extraordinary
man.
George
Washington died in his own bed, with his wife sitting by his side.
Martha Washington was 8 months older than her husband and
felt sure she would soon follow he husband into death.
She said “All is now over; I shall soon follow him.
I have no more trials to pass through.”
George
Washington died December 14, 1799.
Martha Washington died in
May
22, 1802.
George
Washington and his wife shared a deep and abiding love, and were
both unassuming and gentle people who found the responsibility of
politics burdensome and demanding.
George
married Martha, a wealthy widow with 2 children, in 1759.
They were devoted to each other, the children and their
plantation … and to their country.
They would have been happy to spend their lives working their
plantation and caring for their family and estate workers but they
were both consistently required to take on roles they were well
suited for, regardless of their personal desires.
George
was an experienced and brilliant military man who led his country to
independence. Martha became
the public face in a campaign to raise money to supply the troops
with badly needed supplies. Martha
also travelled regularly to spend time with her husband, risking any
and all danger.
George
and Martha were
thrilled with America’s victory, and the war’s end.
They thought their duty was done, and they hoped to be able
to now live simple lives on their property.
But it was not to be … George was needed … he now had to
become President of the independent country he had helped to create.
The
Washingtons accepted this new bout of responsibility but knew the
hard work they faced and wished for the peace of their own dear
home. George worked for
2 full terms as President, before refusing to continue the
overwhelming work, and finally take his much needed and desired
retirement.
George
and Martha were thrilled to be back on their land, and once again
devoted themselves to each other, the children (grandchildren) and
their plantation. They
were happy to be “just family” and shed all trappings of fame,
and any pretensions of being royalty.
George Washington and Martha Custis
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