George Mercer's description of GW in 1760
- jimmoyer1
- Feb 16
- 5 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
An often quoted description of GW at this time of uncertain authenticity is said to come from a letter written by George Mercer in 1760:
“He may be described as being straight as an Indian, measuring 6 feet 2 inches in his stockings, and weighing 175 lbs when he took his seat in the House of Burgesses in 1759. His frame is padded with well developed muscles, indicating great strength. His bones and joints are large as are his hands and feet. He is wide shouldered but has not a deep or round chest; is neat waisted, but is broad across the hips, and has rather long legs and arms. His head is well shaped, though not large, but is gracefully poised on a superb neck.
A large and straight rather than a prominent nose; blue-grey penetrating eyes which are widely separated and overhung by a heavy brow. His face is long rather than broad, with high round cheek bones, and terminates in a good firm chin. He has a clear tho rather colorless pale skin which burns with the sun.
A pleasing and benevolent tho a commanding countenance, dark brown hair which he wears in a cue.
His mouth is large and generally firmly closed, but which from time to time discloses some defective teeth.
His features are regular and placid with all the muscles of his face under perfect control, tho flexible and expressive of deep feeling when moved by emotions.
In conversation he looks you full in the face, is deliberate, deferential and engaging. His demeanor at all times composed and dignified. His movements and gestures are graceful, his walk majestic, and he is a splendid horseman”
(Freeman, Washington, vol 3: page 6).
There was never a letter found where George Mercer wrote the above.
Douglas Southall Freeman's footnote:
Letter of George Mercer, 1760, quoted in many places,
and, conveniently in J. M. Toner, Washington as an Inventor and Promoter of the Useful Arts, 20 n.
While the description is almost “too good to be true,”
probability seems to be on the side of authenticity,
with allowance for the strong chance that the document has been “touched up.”
G. W. P. Custis, op. cit., 527, quoted Washington as saying his weight in his “best days” was 210 to 220. His eyes a “light greyish blue,” and his hair “a hazel brown.”
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Compiled by Jim Moyer 3/25/2025
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Resolution of the House of Burgesses, 26 February 1759
Resolution of the House of Burgesses
[Williamsburg, 26 February 1759]
Resolved, Nemine contradicente,
That the Thanks of this House be given to George Washington, Esq; a Member of this House, late Colonel of the first Virginia Regiment, for his faithful Services to his Majesty, and this Colony, and for his brave and steady Behaviour, from the first Encroachments and Hostilities of the French and their Indians, to his Resignation, after the happy Reduction of Fort Du Quesne: And accordingly Mr Speaker, from the Chair, returned him (he standing in his Place) the Thanks of the House.1
JHB, 1758–1761, 66–67.
1. On 23 Feb. GW was given a place, the third from last, on the committee of propositions and grievances, one of the two key standing committees of the House of Burgesses. He received permission on 2 April to be absent for the remainder of the session. For the report that GW intended to have the conduct of Lt. Col. Adam Stephen investigated by the House, see Cash Accounts, May 1759, n.9.
An often quoted description of GW at this time of uncertain authenticity is said to come from a letter written by George Mercer in 1760: “He may be described as being straight as an Indian, measuring 6 feet 2 inches in his stockings, and weighing 175 lbs when he took his seat in the House of Burgesses in 1759. His frame is padded with well developed muscles, indicating great strength. His bones and joints are large as are his hands and feet. He is wide shouldered but has not a deep or round chest; is neat waisted, but is broad across the hips, and has rather long legs and arms. His head is well shaped, though not large, but is gracefully poised on a superb neck. A large and straight rather than a prominent nose; blue-grey penetrating eyes which are widely separated and overhung by a heavy brow. His face is long rather than broad, with high round cheek bones, and terminates in a good firm chin. He has a clear tho rather colorless pale skin which burns with the sun. A pleasing and benevolent tho a commanding countenance, dark brown hair which he wears in a cue. His mouth is large and generally firmly closed, but which from time to time discloses some defective teeth. His features are regular and placid with all the muscles of his face under perfect control, tho flexible and expressive of deep feeling when moved by emotions. In conversation he looks you full in the face, is deliberate, deferential and engaging. His demeanor at all times composed and dignified. His movements and gestures are graceful, his walk majestic, and he is a splendid horseman” (Freeman, Washington, 3:6).
Permanent Link What’s this?
More on the source of quote
J. M. Toner, Washington as an Inventor and Promoter of the Useful Arts, 20 n. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=loc.ark:/13960/t3fx7q36j&seq=26&q1=mercer&start=1
A list of books to research for later:
J. M. Toner, Washington as an Inventor and Promoter of the Useful Arts, 20 n.
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Sunday Word 1 posted on Facebook 4/13./2025
We have a description by George Mercer of George Washington. Here's a little background. George Mercer was Captain of one of the companies of the Virigina Regiment who helped build Fort Loudoun in Winchester VA.
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2 years after construction of the fort stops, George Mercer along with George Washington are also 2 years into representing Frederick County in the House of Burgesses.
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BTW we reenact the election of those 2. The public is invited to vote 2 of the 4 candidates running. This reenactment is held on the very spot that electon of 1758 occured. Come by at Happy Hour, 5pm to 7pm to vote, at the front yard of the 1840 Courthouse, now the Civil War on the Loudoun Street walking mall.
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And now to the description of George Washington:
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One source quotes George Mercer's description of George Washington
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