Student Reading
Myths about George Washington's Youth
There are many myths about George Washington's youth. Although we can not say for sure that these things did not happen, there is also no proof that they did.
After Washington died he was very famous and well respected. Some people thought stories about Washington's youth would be a good way to teach their children how to act and behave.
Myths
- · George Washington cut down his father's cherry tree.
- Myth: When Washington was about 6 he was given a hatchet. He was very fond of his hatchet and was constantly going about chopping everything. On day he chopped down a beautiful young cherry tree. The next day his father found the young tree. He asked George if he know what had happened to it. George struggled with the question and then answered "I can not tell a lie. I cut it with my hatchet." His father was so pleased he had told the truth that he told George to run to him for a hug.
What this myth teaches: This is a story about telling the truth.
- · George Washington stopped the boys from fighting in the schoolyard.
- Myth: When Washington school mates had a dispute they would go to Washington to ask to settle it. He was never involved in fighting and when he could prevent it he would not allow the other school children to fight.
What this myth teaches: This is a story about getting along with one another and shows Washington as a peacemaker.
- · George Washington led his schoolmates in play battle.
- Myth: Washington would form his playmates into two armies that paraded, marched and fought pretend battles. George was always the leader of one of the armies.
What this myth teaches: This shows Washington as a born leader.
- · Went to school in Fredericksburg (Marye) and was taught by a tutor named Hobby
- Myth: Washington was taught in an old field school by a man named Hobby. Other books say he went to school in the town of Fredericksburg and was taught by a man named Marye
It is not known where Washington went to school or who taught him.
- · Threw a silver dollar across the Potomac River.
- Myth: Washington succeeded in throwing a silver dollar across the Potomac River.
- What this myth teaches: This highlighted his great strength. Washington may have thrown an object across the Rappahanack River, the river on which his childhood home, Ferry Farm, stood. However, he would not have been able to throw anything across the Potomac, which is over a mile wide at Mount Vernon. Also he wouldn't have thrown a sliver dollar because silver dollars didn't exist.