Young George Washington's Adventures: The Beginning
This is a story about the beginning of George Washington's journey to being the famous man we know him as today. In 1753 when Washington was a young man...
France and England had been fighting for power and land for hundreds of years. This time they were fighting over power and land in America, the Ohio River Valley in particular. Each side explored and claimed this disputed land, but had not settled it or built forts there.
Yet there were lots of people living the in the area: American Indians, mostly from the Seneca, Delaware and Shawnee nations.
The French began building forts in the disputed area, which really upset the British. King George the second of England says, “An official message must be sent to the French in the Ohio River Valley asking them to leave peacefully.”
Virginia governor Robert Dinwiddie was in charge of the mission and he would need to find the right person for the job. The messenger would need to travel wilderness paths during the winter, and negotiate with the American Indians and with the French. It would be a very difficult and hazardous journey.
A 21-year-old major in the Virginia militia volunteered to be the messenger. His name was George Washington - a young man who wanted to make a name for himself. He thought that volunteering for such an important mission would be a good way to get noticed. The governor says, "Deliver this to the French and bring back their response. It is urgent and you must return as quickly as possible." Little did he know how dangerous an adventure lay ahead of him.
Governor Dinwiddie accepted Washington as the messenger. His task was to deliver the letter to the French and bring back their response. The governor stressed that the mission was urgent and that Washington should return as quickly as possible. What kind of people and supplies do you think he needed to take with him on this journey?
Activity: What to Take. What kinds of things do you think young George Washington would take along with him on his trip. Check the next page to see what Washington took with him.
Activity: What to Take. Some of the things Washington took: Camping gear, an ax, a razor, Indian trade goods, a journal and a compass.
October 31, 1753. Washington left immediately after the governor gave him the letter he was to deliver. He headed for Wills Creek gathering people and supplies along the way.
Activity: Clothing of the 1750s. As a major in the Virginia militia George Washington most likely wore the uniform and carried the items common for a British soldier of his time. Can you find his hat, canteen, musket, sword belt, shot bag and leg gaiters?
