Courtesy of National Portrait Gallery
Porthole Portrait of George Washington by Rembrandt Peale
(This article was originally published in the January/February 2023 issue of Alexandria Living Magazine.)
By Tammy Mannarino
George Washington’s 1789 post-inauguration tour of the newly United States solidified our national identity and launched the cliché “George Washington Slept Here.”
But in Alexandria, where he lived, worked and played, we would need a wide array of signs to reflect Washington’s many local activities. There are, in fact, too many connections to recount in one article, so we will provide a sampling and trust the internet and many worthy guidebooks of the area to cover them in a comprehensive manner.
Lived Here (rests here): Mount Vernon Estate, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
From around the age of 15 until his death, George Washington called this area his home, his own “vine and fig tree.” He began leasing Mount Vernon in 1754 and inherited it in 1761, eventually amassing 8,000 acres for the estate. When he couldn’t be here in person, Mount Vernon was on his mind. While fighting in the Revolution or performing his duties as president of the United States, Washington sent back detailed instructions to those managing his home, land and enslaved people. He died in his bed at Mount Vernon on Dec. 14, 1799, and his remains were placed in the old family vault. His will included instructions for a new vault, which was completed in 1831. He rests there today.
Was Mentored Here: Belvoir Manor Ruins–Patrick Road on Fort Belvoir
The current site of Fort Belvoir contains the ruins of Belvoir Manor, the home of Colonel William Fairfax, who petitioned for the creation of Fairfax County in 1742 and Alexandria City in 1749. Col. Fairfax took great interest in Washington, hiring him to survey Lord Thomas Fairfax’s lands to the West and using his influence to gain appointments for young George as a surveyor and later as a major in the provincial militia. Aside from laying the trajectory for Washington’s career, the Fairfaxes of Belvoir provided him with connections and social skills that he would need to marry well and succeed in society. As a bonus, two of the Colonel’s sons, George William Fairfax and Bryan Fairfax, proved to be lifelong friends and correspondents.
Hunted Here (also raced): Accotink–Intersection of Richmond Highway and Backlick Road (Fort Belvoir Tulley Gate)
One of the primary sources of entertainment among young Virginia gentlemen was hunting, specifically fox hunting. While surrounded by available land, Washington particularly mentions hunting near Accotink Creek in his diaries. There was also apparently a racetrack behind Bogges Tavern on Old Colchester Road, which proved to be an opportunity to race horses or place a sporting wager. Sadly, nothing remains of Bogges Tavern, but Old Colchester Road looks largely as it must have in Washington’s time.
Worshiped Here: - Pohick Church- 9301 Richmond Hwy.
Like his father, Augustine Washington and brother Lawrence, before him. George Washington became a vestryman of Pohick Church, serving from 1762 to 1784. The church was originally located on Mason Neck, closer to Gunston Hall. Washington famously lobbied for a more centralized location between himself and Mason and succeeded. Pohick Church was completed in 1772. The Washington family purchased a pew, which is still marked today.
Gifted Here: Woodlawn Mansion 9000 Richmond Highway
Washington’s adopted Granddaughter Nellie Custis and her new husband Lawrence Lewis were married at Mount Vernon on his birthday in February 1799. Washington gifted the couple with land for a home. He selected the location and the architect to build what would become Woodlawn Manor. Sadly, Washington passed away before the mansion was completed.
Milled and Distilled Here: George Washington’s Distillery and Grist Mill. 5514 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy.
In the first half of the 18th century, George Washington’s father had a mill that had fallen into disrepair. In 1769, GW wanted to move away from growing tobacco and decided to build the mill a short distance away on Dogue Run. There he could grind his own wheat and corn into flour and meal and also charge his neighbors to do the same for their crops. Washington used hired and enslaved labor to run the operation. In 1797, Washington decided to enter the distilling business. It became one of the largest distilleries in the nation, supplying rye, whiskey and brandy to the east coast.
Crossed Here: Gum Springs–around 8100 Fordson Road
The Old Mount Vernon Road to Alexandria crossed Little Hunting Creek at Gum Springs, just as Richmond Highway does today. Gum Springs was not only a useful place to cross the creek, but there may have also been a rough track for horse racing. We know Gum Springs now as a historically black community founded in 1833 by West Ford, who was formerly enslaved by the Washington family.
Picnicked Here: Johnson’s Spring–approximately south of Collingwood Picnic area George Washington Memorial Parkway
When he wasn’t in a hurry to take the ferry to Maryland, Washington enjoyed spending time with friends along the water. He notes one such outing on the 10th of September 1785, beginning with his weather report.
“Thermometer at 68 in the morning—70 at Noon and 72 at Night. Calm and warm, with some appearances of rain which vanished in the evening.
Rid with Fanny Bassett, Mr. Taylor and Mr. Shaw to meet a Party from Alexandria at Johnsons Spring (on my Land where Clifton formerly lived) where we dined on a cold dinner brought from Town by water and spent the Afternoon agreeably—returning home by Sun down or a little after it.”
This area was later an African-American beach resort called Collingwood Beach in the late 19th century.
Built Here: Wellington at River Farm–American Horticultural Society 7931 E. Boulevard Dr.
On October 15, 1785, George Washington’s favorite nephew, George Augustine Washington, married Martha Washington’s favorite niece, Frances (Fanny) Bassett. Around the couple’s one-year anniversary, Washington wrote George Augustine a letter revealing his intent, upon his death, to give them 2,000 to 3,000 acres of his River Farm property. He assisted the couple with supplies and the loan of enslaved labor to build their home. Unfortunately, George Augustine passed before the home was completed, but his widow married Washington’s Secretary, Tobias Lear, a couple years later and they lived in the house for a brief time.
Dined Here: Mount Eagle Site–around Montebello Condominiums, 5905 Mt. Eagle Dr.
Bryan Fairfax, lifelong friend of George Washington, lived at Mount Eagle from 1790 to 1802. In their youth, they frequently hunted together. Their correspondence stretches out over 41 years and covers their strong feelings about the Revolution. George and Martha were godparents to Bryan’s third son, Ferdinando Fairfax. In the last week of Washington’s life, the men dined together twice: once with Bryan hosting at Mount Eagle and the final time with the Washingtons entertaining at Mount Vernon on Dec 11, 1799, three days before George’s death.
Surveyed Here: Generally Old Town Alexandria
In 1748, one of the first subjects of George Washington’s new surveying skills was the future town of Alexandria. He created a topographical map that depicts the land and river before the town was laid out. The may have been used by Washington’s half-brother Lawrence, who led petitioners in advocating for the establishment of Alexandria. Washington later served as an assistant to John West, Jr. Deputy Surveyor of Fairfax County.
Breakfasted Here: Ramsay House, 221 King St.
William and Elizabeth Ramsay’s home is considered the oldest in Alexandria. William served as the first mayor of the town and hosted Washington on numerous occasions, perhaps most notably on May 5, 1775, when the Continental Army’s newly appointed Commander-in-Chief stopped in for breakfast on his way to Philadelphia. The Ramsays’ son Dennis, later, as mayor himself, sent Washington off to his inauguration with an address from the City Tavern on Feb. 16, 1789. A little more than a decade later, Dennis was an honorary pallbearer at Washington’s funeral.
Overnighted Here: GW’s Townhouse (now replica), 508 Cameron St.
When the weather was bad or the roads in poor condition, Washington must have found it convenient to have a place to stay in the city. He purchased Lot 118 for 10 pounds, 10 shillings in 1763 and built his townhouse on it within the required two-year period. The Alexandria Gazette at one point praised the home for its “extreme simplicity of design and almost total absence of ornament.” Washington also loaned the home to friends and relations. Martha’s niece Fanny Bassett and her two boys lived there from 1794 to 1795 between the time she was widowed and her subsequent marriage to Washington’s Secretary Tobias Lear. The home was demolished in 1855 and later reconstructed in 1960.
Drilled Here: Market Square
The land for both Market Square and a town hall was set aside for that purpose in the original town plans. In 1754, a colonel in the Virginia militia, George Washington used the market square to drill his troops while he used the City Tavern as his headquarters.
Worshiped Here: Christ Church 118 N. Washington St.
When the Truro Parish that included Pohick Church was divided in 1765, George Washington was caught in the middle. Mount Vernon was briefly deemed to be in the new Fairfax parish that included Alexandria and Washington was elected a vestryman of what would become Christ Church. The line was then redrawn, with Mount Vernon returning to the Truro parish. George Washington nonetheless selected a pew in the new church and attended both Pohick and Christ Church. When construction was completed around 1773, it was often called “the church in the woods.” Bryan Fairfax was rector 1790-1792. Washington attended his last service here on Nov 17, 1799.
Was Memorialized Here: Old Presbyterian Meeting House, 323 S. Fairfax St.
The meeting house bell, the only one in Alexandria at the time, rang when news of Washington’s death reached Alexandria. It did not stop until his funeral, which was held here instead of at Washington’s church. The Alexandria Times explained, “The walking being bad to the Episcopal Church, the funeral sermon of George Washington will be preached at the Presbyterian Meeting House tomorrow at 11:30 o’clock.” Two services were given, the first led by Reverend Davis of the Episcopal Church, and then a second afternoon service led by Reverend Muir of the Old Presbyterian Meeting House.
Celebrated Here: Gadsby’s Tavern, 138 N. Royal St.
The two buildings on the corner of Royal and Cameron Street have a long history of providing hospitality to the residents of the City of Alexandria. Over the years, the buildings have had a variety of names: The City Tavern, Wise’s Tavern and, since 1794, Gadsby’s Tavern. Some sources hold that the Fairfax Resolves, which eventually became the Virginia Bill of Rights, were hammered out in the tavern. Gay Montague Moore in her book “Seaport in Virginia: George Washington’s Alexandria,” says that the Fairfaxes, Masons, Ramsays, Lees and more gathered here to dance, eat and drink. On Feb. 11, 1799, Washington celebrated his birthday at the tavern. He wrote in his diary, “Went up to Alexandria to the celebration of my birth day. Many Manœuvres were performed by the Uniform Corps and an elegant Ball & Supper at Night.” He did not know that it would be his last birthday, or the extent to which the date would be celebrated for more than two centuries in the future.
About the author: Tammy Mannarino enjoyed the nomadic childhood of a “military brat” before her family settled in Fairfax County. After a career in Information Security Engineering, she has thoroughly immersed herself in local history, sharing stories and images on her website, BackyardMountVernon.com. Whether she is on a trail, in a kayak or at her desk, she says she feels lucky to live here.
