Washington's Last Days

The Overlook

By Tom Clavin

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A somber anniversary this coming Saturday – it was 225 years ago that George Washington died.

On Thursday, December 12, 1799, he was out on horseback supervising farming activities from late morning until three in the afternoon. The weather shifted from light snow to hail and then to rain. Upon Washington's return it was suggested that he change out of his wet riding clothes before dinner. Known for his punctuality, Washington chose to remain in his damp attire.

The next morning brought three inches of snow and a sore throat. Despite feeling unwell, Washington went to the hanging wood area on the east side of his Mount Vernon home after the weather cleared to select trees for removal. Throughout the day it was observed that Washington's voice became increasingly hoarse. That evening, as with most evenings, Washington read from the newspapers with his secretary, Tobias Lear, and his wife, Martha. Because of the increased throat irritation, Washington asked Lear to complete the reading, then he went to bed.

Washington awoke in terrible discomfort at around two in the morning. Martha was concerned about his state and wanted to send for help. However, having just recovered from a cold herself, Washington would not allow his wife to leave the comfort of their room. When a housemaid came to light the fire at daybreak, Martha sent for Tobias Lear who rushed to the room. There he found Washington in bed having difficulty breathing. Lear sent for George Rawlins, an overseer at Mount Vernon, who at Washington’s request bled him. Lear also sent to Alexandria for Dr. James Craik, the family doctor and Washington's trusted friend and physician for 40 years.

While waiting for Dr. Craik's arrival, Rawlins extracted a half-pint of blood. Washington favored this treatment—despite Martha's voiced concern— as he believed that it had cured him of past ailments. Washington was also given a mixture of molasses, butter, and vinegar to soothe his throat. But the mixture was difficult to swallow, causing Washington to convulse and nearly suffocate.

As the morning progressed and Washington did not feel any relief, Martha requested that Lear send for Dr. Gustavus Brown of Port Tobacco. Brown was a physician who had an excellent reputation for diagnosis and moderate medicating. Dr. Craik arrived at nine in the morning, examined Washington, and bled him again. He then ordered a solution of vinegar and sage tea prepared for gargling.

At eleven, Dr. Brown had not yet arrived and Craik sent for a third physician, a definite sign that he felt the ailment was serious. At noon an enema was administered, but there was no improvement in Washington's condition. The former president was bled for the fourth and final time. It was later reported that a total of 32 ounces of blood was extracted from Washington.

Another conference of physicians occurred. Craik administered an emetic to induce vomiting, though without beneficial results. Despite the care and attention of three physicians, his beloved wife, friends, and enslaved servants, Washington's condition worsened. At four-thirty in the afternoon, he called Martha to his bedside and asked that she bring his two wills from the study. After reviewing them, Washington discarded one, which Martha burned.

He then called for Lear and told him, "I find I am going, my breath cannot last long. I believed from the first that the disorder would prove fatal. Do arrange and record all my late military letters and papers. Arrange my accounts and settle my books, as you know more about them than anyone else, and let Mr. Rawlins finish recording my other letters which he has begun."

At five in the afternoon on December 14, George Washington sat up from bed, dressed, and walked over to his chair. He returned to bed within 30 minutes. Craik went to him and Washington said, "Doctor, I die hard, but I am not afraid to go. I believed from my first attack that I should not survive it, my breath cannot last long." Soon afterward, Washington thanked all three doctors for their service. Craik remained in the room.

At eight at night blisters and cataplasms were applied to Washington's feet and legs. Two hours later, he spoke, requesting to be "decently buried" and to "not let my body be put into the vault in less than three days after I am dead."

Between ten and eleven that night, George Washington passed away. He was surrounded by people who were close to him including his wife, who sat at the foot of the bed, his friends Dr. Craik and Tobias Lear, enslaved housemaids Caroline, Molly, and Charlotte, and his enslaved valet Christopher Sheels, who had stood in the room throughout the day. Washington was 67 years old.

According to his wishes, he was not buried for three days. During that time his body lay in a mahogany casket. On December 18, 1799, a funeral was held at Mount Vernon and Washington was buried in the family tomb on the estate.

Tom Clavin is the bestselling author/co-author of 25 books. His latest book, Bandit Heaven, was published by St. Martin’s Press in October. Please go to your local bookstore or to Bookshop.org, Amazon.com, BN.com, or tomclavin.com to purchase a copy.