6 Myths and Misconceptions About George Washington
George Washington undoubtedly led an extraordinary life, which makes it hard to separate legend from reality. He was the only U.S. President to be unanimously elected to office, despite having no formal schooling past the age of 15, and he remains one of the most famous military leaders in United States history. Common depictions of Washington include a young Virginian boy chopping down cherry trees and, later, a dignified statesman proudly posing in a powdered wig. But some of the best-known aspects of the former President’s life aren’t historically accurate. Here are six common myths about the famous founding father.
Myth: Washington Chopped Down His Father’s Cherry Tree
Washington telling his father, “I cannot tell a lie… I did cut it with my hatchet,” is coincidentally one of the biggest lies about this larger-than-life figure. Legend says that George Washington received a hatchet as a gift when he was 6 years old, and took the ax to one of his father’s beloved cherry trees. During the subsequent confrontation with his father, he came clean, unable to tell a lie. The encounter was recreated in artist John C. McRae’s 1867 engraving “Father, I Can Not Tell a Lie: I Cut the Tree.” There’s just one problem: None of this ever happened. The famous legend was devised by biographer Mason Locke Weems in the 1806 edition of his book “The Life of Washington.” Published shortly after Washington’s death, the book immortalized the founding father as a national hero with a steadfast moral compass despite his faults, including the ownership of hundreds of enslaved people at his Mount Vernon estate.
Myth: He Was the First President to Live in the White House
It’s a common misconception that George Washington lived in the White House — he was the first President, after all — but the building wasn’t completed until 1800, one year after Washington’s death. The President’s successor, John Adams, was the first commander in chief to call the White House home. However, Washington did play a large role in the planning and construction of the famous residence. He chose the site of what was then called the “President’s House” at what is now 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The first cornerstone of the White House was laid in October 1792. During this time, Washington lived in executive residences in New York and Philadelphia, both of which served as the nation’s capital before it was moved to Washington, D.C., in 1800.
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Myth: He Had Wooden Dentures
Half of this myth is correct: Washington definitely did wear dentures, and a set is even on display at Mount Vernon. He began losing teeth in his 20s and was forced to wear painful dentures for the rest of his life. Eighteenth-century dentures were a little different from modern versions and were made with all sorts of unique materials, including human teeth, cow and horse teeth, ivory (possibly of elephant or hippopotamus origin), and metal alloys such as lead-tin, copper, and silver. Wood, however, was never used in the construction of Washington’s dentures, though due to the discoloring of some of the materials, they might have appeared wooden, fueling this myth.
Myth: He Won Most of His Military Battles
Washington is often touted as a military genius and expert strategist, but he actually lost many battles to the British during the American Revolution. In fact, of the 17 Revolutionary War battles the general was present for, he won six, lost seven, and four ended in a draw. His unparalleled reputation was earned by the battles he did win, including the Battle of Trenton and the Siege of Yorktown, the latter of which was the decisive battle of the Revolutionary War. As commander of the Continental Army, Washington displayed resilience, determination, and leadership, and earned the respect of his soldiers and the rest of the country, who in turn selected him as the first President of the new nation.
Myth: He Wore a Powdered Wig
Portraits of Washington in his older years showcase his distinct, neatly coiffed hair, pulled into a ponytail in typical founding father fashion, but it’s a common misconception that this was a wig. Powdered wigs from this era looked identical to Washington’s hairdo, but the military commander still had a full head of hair. Instead, he used white powder on his hair to make it appear brighter — white hair was very fashionable during the 18th century. What’s more, Washington was one of five redheaded Presidents, as seen in his younger portraits.
Myth: He Skipped a Silver Dollar Across the Potomac
Legend says that Washington once tossed a silver dollar a mile across the Potomac River to the other side. This enduring claim plays into the mythos surrounding his physical strength and larger-than-average height (he was 6 feet, 2 inches tall). But the tall tale probably stemmed from stories of lesser feats, including Washington’s grandson’s claim that the former President tossed a piece of slate across the Rappahannock River, which is much narrower than the Potomac. Indeed, silver dollars didn’t even exist during Washington’s lifetime. The use of silver for coins didn’t begin until 1794 (five years before his death), and true silver dollars weren’t minted until 1878.
