Little Hunting Creek Plantation / Mount Vernon

In 1743, when George Washington was only 11 years old, his father died. George inherited the family farm, Home (Ferry) Farm. His older half-brother Lawrence inherited Little Hunting Creek, a plantation 40 miles north and only 15 miles away from Washington, D.C.’s future location. Lawrence renamed his plantation Mount Vernon.

George Washington was very fond of Lawrence, considering him more of a father figure than brother. Unfortunately, Lawrence died of consumption (tuberculosis) in 1752. Two years later George Washington moved to Mount Vernon, and lived there the rest of his life. At first Washington managed the estate, leasing it from Lawrence’s widow. When she died in 1761, George became the sole owner of the property. Over time he expanded the mansion and increased the land holdings. George Washington died at Mount Vernon in 1799, and his body remains entombed there.