George Washington Family Tree: The Story Behind America's First President

George Washington (1732–1799), born 22 February 1732 in Westmoreland County, Colony of Virginia, British America, and died 14 December 1799 at Mount Vernon, Virginia, was Commander of the Continental Army (1775–1783) and the first President of the United States (1789–1797).

The Family's Roots: An English Colonial Family in Virginia

The Washington family is English Colonial Anglican, settled in Virginia from the 1650s; tobacco-plantation lineage.

His Parents

Father: Augustine Washington (1694–1743) — tobacco planter, justice of the peace.

Mother: Mary Ball Washington (1708–1789) — second wife of Augustine.

His Half-Siblings (from Augustine's first marriage to Jane Butler)

Lawrence Washington (1718–1752) — elder half-brother; mentor.

Augustine Washington Jr. (1720–1762) — elder half-brother.

His Full Siblings (from Mary Ball)

Betty Washington Lewis (1733–1797) — sister.

Samuel Washington (1734–1781).

John Augustine Washington (1736–1787).

Charles Washington (1738–1799).

Mildred Washington (1739–1740, died as infant).

His Wife: Martha Dandridge Custis

Martha Dandridge Custis Washington (1731–1802) — widow of Daniel Parke Custis. Married George on 6 January 1759.

Their (Step-)Children — No Biological Children

John "Jacky" Parke Custis (1754–1781) — Martha's son; died of camp fever.

Martha "Patsy" Parke Custis (1756–1773) — Martha's daughter; died of epileptic seizure at 17.

George and Martha adopted Jacky's two youngest children: Eleanor "Nelly" Parke Custis and George Washington "Wash" Parke Custis.

The Washington Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Augustine Washington (1694–1743) — tobacco planter.

Mother: Mary Ball Washington (1708–1789).

Half-Siblings: Lawrence (1718–1752); Augustine Jr. (1720–1762).

Siblings: Betty (1733–1797); Samuel (1734–1781); John Augustine (1736–1787); Charles (1738–1799); Mildred (1739–1740).

Wife: Martha Dandridge Custis (1731–1802; m. 6 January 1759).

Stepchildren: John "Jacky" Custis (1754–1781); Martha "Patsy" Custis (1756–1773).

Biological Children: None.

George Washington:

  • Born 22 February 1732, Westmoreland County, Virginia
  • Surveyor of Culpeper County 1749
  • French and Indian War: 1754–1758 (lieutenant colonel)
  • Burgess of Virginia 1758–1774
  • Commander-in-Chief, Continental Army: 15 June 1775 — 23 December 1783
  • Presided over the Constitutional Convention: 1787
  • First President of the United States: 30 April 1789 — 4 March 1797
  • Voluntarily stepped down after two terms — set precedent
  • Died: 14 December 1799, Mount Vernon — quinsy/laryngitis at 67

What the Washington Family Story Teaches Us

An English Colonial tobacco-planter father. A homemaker mother. 6 siblings and 2 half-siblings. A 40-year marriage to a widow Martha — no biological children but two stepchildren. A career that founded a republic and voluntarily walked away after two terms.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Washington story carries the same lesson. Some careers establish the precedent that defines a nation.

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