In 1732, George Washington was born at Bridges’ Creek in Virginia.
He was the oldest of five children of Augustine and Mary Ball Washington. He had a younger sister and three younger brothers. Augustine had been married before, so George also had two older half brothers. When George was six, the family moved to Ferry Farm near Fredericksburg, Virginia. There, George learned to ride horses. He also learned how to fish and go boating on the nearby Rappahanock River. He often crossed the river to explore the docks and wharves of Fredericksburg. When George was 11, his father died. George then became closer to his older half brother Lawrence. He often visited Lawrence on his farm called Mount Vernon. When George was 16, he went to live with Lawrence. At Mount Vernon, a new life opened up for George.
