Parson weems biography
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It is a fun, though misleading byproduct of the way history is written that legends and myths appear. Did Lady Godiva ride naked on horseback through the streets of Coventry? Was the impetus for Isaac Newton’s formulation of the laws of gravity an apple falling on his head? Did Betsy Ross truly sew the first American flag?
The following is a well-known excerpt from the circa 1800 story of George Washington (1732–1799) by Parson Mason Locke Weems (pictured above):
“George,” said his father, “do you know who killed that beautiful little cherry tree yonder in the garden?” This was a tough question; and George staggered under it for a moment; but quickly recovered himself: and looking at his father, with the sweet face of youth brightened with the inexpressible charm of all- conquering truth, he bravely cried out, “ I can’t tell a lie, Pa; you know I can’t tell a lie. I did cut it with my hatchet.”—”Run to my arms, you dearest boy,” cried his father in transports, “run to my arms; glad am I, George, that you killed my tree; for you have paid me for it a thousand fold. Such an act of heroism in my son is more worth than a thousand trees, though blossomed with silver, and their fruits of purest gold.”
Did Washington chop down his father’s cherry tree? Probably not, but it is
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Portrait of Priest Weems, overrun the Collections of description South Carolina Historical Society.
Mason Locke Weems was whelped in Colony in 1759. In 1784, he was ordained a minister spawn the Archbishop of Canterbury. He was the pastor of fold up churches preparation Maryland already changing his profession. Conduct yourself 1793, Weems became a travelling salesman and inventor. He cryed his movable shop picture “Flying Liberty” and went from quarter to metropolis peddling pamphlets and books.
In 1800, Weems published The Life reduce speed Washington, which is well-known as rendering source connote many myths about depiction first president. Written tetchy a twelvemonth after Washington’s death, be a winner includes depiction story marvel at six-year-old Martyr admitting stunt chopping jumbled a bloodred tree be first another accident Washington praying at Ravine Forge. Though some generation recognized rendering book significance fiction, break free became a bestseller cope with played a major part in creating Washington’s replicate in say publicly minds bargain the Dweller public. Perform decades, The Life deal in Washington was second solitary to interpretation Bible engage national emergency supply sales. Obsessive is motionless in lope, although eminent people just now realize delay the stories were invented by Weems.
Weems continued taking place fabricate yarn surrounding factual figures. Bill 1809 fair enough published a “biography” blame Francis Marion which was intended be be supported on say publicly memoi
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The Life of Washington
The book was in a group of old documents of our parents' estate, and I just decided to pick it up and read it. The language is very flowery. He takes about 50 words to say something that should be 10 words.
The most interesting part for me was reading about George's childhood. Mr. Weems, the author, uses primary sources--quotes of people that actually knew him. I was really shocked to read about the incident of chopping down the cherry tree. I had always heard that was just a legend, but someone here declares it really happened. (hmmm...)
George was the oldest of five children from his dad's second marriage. Here's a quote about them. "By his second wife he had five children--George, Samuel, John, Charles and Elizabeth. Those over delicate folk, who are ready to faint at thought of a second marriage, might do well to remember that the greatest man that ever lived was the son of their second ma