Meet the Presidents: George Washington

First off, I'm going to try to update more regularly. I apparently have some aversion to posting short articles, but I don't often have time to do a full-length post, which usually take several hours. But I'll try to increase quantity, as long as I can do so without compromising quality.


Now, on with the show!


George Washington.


Died age 67.


Age at inauguration. 57.


Married Martha Dandridge Custis, a widow, 1759.


No biological children, but two stepchildren.


Episcopalian.


Educated by private tutor.


Other jobs: ferry operator, surveyor, Lt. Col. in French & Indian War, tobacco planter, Commander in Chief of Continental Army, delegate to 1st and 2nd Continental Congresses, President of Constitutional Convention, member of House of Burgesses.


Retirement: planter, distiller.


Died of inflammatory quinsy.


Last words: "'Tis well."


Gave the first (and shortest) State of the Union address in January 1790. It was delivered at Federal Hall in NYC, and was only 833 words. It was probably only 5-7 minutes.


Gave shortest inaugural speech ever in 1792. Only 135 words.


A Mason.


Had 36 hounds, a parrot named Polly.


Was 6'2".


Loved exploring caves.


Loved cream of peanut soup, crab soup, and eggnog.


Refused his salary, but racked up quite an expense tab.


Weighed 200 lbs.


Size 13 shoes.


Had a bad temper.


Made a six-star General of the Armies in 1976.


Added the phrase "so help me God" to the end of the Oath of Office.


Caught smallpox in 1751 (age 19) while in the West Indies. 


Also had bouts of pleurisy, dysentery, dengue fever, malaria, flu, and rheumatism. Doctors prescribed mercuric chloride, which damages the teeth.


Brushed his teeth daily, but by age 22 was having toothaches, swollen gums, and infections.


Lost about one tooth per year. By the time he was president, he had only 2 teeth.


His dentures were made from hippo, cow, and human teeth. Some were his own teeth. But they hurt, teeth came loose, and never fit quite right. One set turned black every time he drank port. (Which he did every night.)


Lost his last tooth in 1796. He was sad, so his dentist put it on a chain, and he wore it on his watch fob.


Introduced the mule to America.


Grew hemp. A lot of hemp.


Divided his estate into 4 farms: Union, Dogue Run, Muddy Hole, and River.

The Father of Our Country was also a ginger.