Grant Wood’s Parson Weems’ Fable sets the stage for an inquiry study that analyzes how historical accounts and folklore promote shared American values and shape national identity.

Before launching an inquiry study it is important to have students experience a work of art on their own terms. Use this opportunity to build background knowledge, engage empathy, and spark wonderings. This link offers teaching moves and language for introducing students to Grant Wood’s Parson Weems’ Fable. Grant Wood’s painting introduces Parson Weems’ mythmaking and considers the benefits of his moralizing folklore in promoting shared American values and shaping national identity.

Mason Locke Weems was as colorful a character as the American leaders he wrote about. After studying theology in London, Weems became an Anglican minister in Maryland in 1784. The Church of England fell into disfavor in America after the Revolutionary War. To supplement his income Weems turned to book writing and selling. His early writings reflected his moral inclinations. In addition to rehashing Protestant sermons, Weems wrote a series of “God’s Revenge” stories that warned against murder, gambling, adultery, and dueling. Weems literary sermonizing found full flower in his morally instructive biographies of George Washington, Francis Marion, Benjamin Franklin, William Penn. As Weems explained in the introduction to The Life of Washington,

It is the private virtues that lay the foundation of all human excellence—since it was these that exalted Washington to be “Columbia’s first and greatest Son,” be it our first care to present these, in all their lustre, before the admiring eyes of our children. To them his private character is every thing… Oh no! give us his private virtues! In these, every youth is interested, because in these every youth may become a Washington — a Washington in piety and patriotism, — in industry and honour — and consequently a Washington, in what alone deserves the name, self esteem and universal respect.

In addition to being a devout preacher, Weems was also a savvy businessman with an especially acute insight into the tastes of the general public. In a letter to his Philadelphia publisher Mathew Carey, Weems explained his entrepreneurial vision.

Experience has taught me that small, i.e. quarter of dollar books, on subjects calculated to strike the Popular Curiosity, printed in very large numbers and properly distributed, w* prove an immense revenue to the prudent and industrious Undertakers. If you coud get the life of Gen. Wayne, Putnam, Green [e] &c., Men whose courage and Abilities, whose patriotism and Exploits have won the love and admiration of the American people, printed in small volumes and with very interesting frontspieces [sic], you w d , without doubt, sell an immense number of them. People here think nothing of giving 1/6 (their quarter of a dollar) for anything that pleases their fancy. Let us give them something worth their money.

In George Washington, Weems found the ideal vehicle for all that he wanted to achieve and he didn’t let historical accuracy get in the way. By the seventh printing of The Life of Washington, Weems eighty-page pamphlet had grown into a 228-page book and he had ambitions for more. As he explained to his publisher in 1809,

You have a great deal of money lying in the bones of old George, if you will but exert yourself to extract it.

This proved prophetic as his book would go on to print 80 editions and become part of the fabric of America’s national identity.

Weems has long been dismissed for his questionable scholarship. Certainly his moralizing and catering to popular interests is not debatable. But that is what makes his book a valuable historical artifact. Weems’ stories showcase the attributes—values, ideals, and aspirations—the young nation cherished most. The Life of Washington is even more illuminating when it is paired with more credibly researched historical accounts. In reveling in Weems’ folklore while recognizing contemporary historical research, these pairings embrace the same knowing acceptance Grant Wood adopted as a middle ground between cynicism and credulity. The exquisite Mount Vernon website with its historical accounts is an ideal instructional resource for students to find these pairings. The interviews with historians offer especially compelling models for how to rigorously collect and distill historical data. Students and educators alike will experience the heights of the Internet roaming the electronic halls of this living museum.

As students read Weems’ lore and check its historical veracity against researched accounts have them consider and report back to the group on some shared questions.

• What personal virtues does Weems’ lore evoke and what moral instruction is he trying to instill?
• How would these traits serve a new country and are these traits still valued in America?
• What new insights do the researched accounts provide about George Washington and his times, and how do they change your perception of him?
• What life lessons can you glean from the researched accounts and what American values do you see in them?

As students report back their findings, have the class consider Grant Wood’s contention that Weems’ enhanced biographies have value in fostering patriotic values and national identity. Or, do these fabricated histories diminish the profiled leaders to caricatures and undermine the lessons of more authentic histories? In the end, have students consider which of these accounts do more to humanize Washington? Depending on the text pairings, students will come away with different insights and examples to share. That should cultivate a more robust class discussion. The game-based resource George Washington Fact or Fable? Tic-Tac-Toe can likewise help launch this inquiry study.

Where to find The Life of Washington

• This 1808 edition digitized by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers multiple download options and was used for the page references below.
• The Hathi Trust Digital Library offers numerous editions of The Life of Washington as well as Weems’ other writings. Wow, what a gift.

Pairing #1: The Cherry Tree Fable

Since the Cherry Tree story is a fabrication there are no comparable historical accounts to read against. However, this pairing offers a good opportunity to learn about Parson Weems and the origins of the fable.

• The Life of Washington: The Cherry Tree fable is on pages 15–16. Encourage students to read around these pages for some other precious stories of George’s childhood. A great example of Weems’ moralizing exuberance is captured in this passage when George’s father expresses his rather extreme value for honesty.

Dear as you are to my heart, gladly would I assist to nail you up in your little coffin…rather than see him a common liar.

• Mount Vernon website: “‘I Can’t tell a Lie, Pa,’ Washington and the Cherry Tree Myth” offers a nice overview of the parson and his writings, including an interview with Phil Levy, author of Where the Cherry Tree Grew: The Story of Ferry farm, George Washington’s Boyhood Home. Supplement this with Marcus Cunliffe’s “Parson Weems and George Washington’s Cherry Tree” This paper offers a detailed history of The Life of Washington and an insightful overview of its literary significance. If you really want to try a deep dive on Weems check out Lawrence C. Wroth’s Parson Weems: A Biographical and Critical Study (1911). This Weems biography shares his unbridled enthusiasm.

Pairing #2: Athleticism

This pairing supports an analysis of comparable historical accounts that reflect the author’s different styles of writing. Both texts describe Washington’s physical prowess with a hint of man-crush envy. Weems’ account is strangely ahistorical considering it is written within years of Washington’s death. It is so generic that it could describe activities at a contemporary CrossFit center. The Mount Vernon account, on the other hand, explores George’s physical acumen in the context of the sports of his day. Weems’ feasible account of throwing a stone across the Rappahannock River may plant the seeds for the future myth of George throwing a non-existent silver dollar across the mile-wide Potomac. That arm strength is accepted as a dominant measure of athleticism strikes me as peculiarly narrow, but all for the sake of a tall tale.

• The Life of Washington: See page 25 for George’s athletic escapades.

But such trifling play as marbles and tops he could never endure. They did not afford him exercise enough. His delight was in that of the manliest sort, which, by stringing the limbs and swelling the muscles, promotes the kindliest flow of blood and spirits. At jumping with a long pole, or heaving heavy weights, for his years he hardly had an equal. And as to running, the swift-footed Achilles could scarcely have matched his speed.…Col. Lewis Willis, his play-mate and kinsman, has been heard to say, that he has often seen him throw a stone across Rappahannock, at the lower ferry of Fredericksburg. It would be no easy matter to find a man, now a-days, who could do it.

• Mount Vernon website: See “George Washington’s Athleticism” and “First in War, First in Peace, and First in Sports?” for a variety of historical accounts and an interview with Paul Shmucker, the author of Riding with George: Sportsmanship and Chivalry in the Making of America’s First President.

At six-feet-two inches and with a penchant for rambunctious horse riding, what he lacked in formal schooling, Washington made up for in physical strength, skill and ambition. He took part in almost every sport of his day—archery, fox hunting, swimming, wrestling—and he was also something of a pool shark.

Pairing #3: Washington’s Temperance and Sobriety

This pairing highlights Weems’ moralizing and introduces historical truths few may be aware of. While Weems does not declare Washington a teetotaler, he does highlight Washington’s inclination towards temperance and sobriety. Mount Vernon’s historical accounts, on the other hand, introduce the fun loving Washington. While he is not described as gregarious, his alcohol production and consumption and his prowess on the dance floor are explored.

• The Life of Washington: Page 212 describes how Washington’s inclination toward sobriety guided his charity.

In all his charities, he discovered great judgment and care in selecting proper objects. Character was the main chance. Mount Vernon had no charms for lazy, drunken, worthless beggars. Persons of that description knew very well that they must take their application elsewhere. He never failed to remind them of the great crime of robbing the public of their services, and also the exceeding cruelty and injustice of snapping up from the really indigent, what little charity bread was stirring. But if the character were good — if the poor petitioner were a sober, honest, and industrious person, whom Providence had by sickness or losses reduced to want — he found a brother in Washington. It is incredible what quantities of wool, corn, bacon, flour, clothes, &c. were annually distributed to the poor,  from the almost exhaustless heap, which the blessings of Heaven bestowed on this, its industrious and faithful steward.

• The Life of Washington: Pages 92–93 chronicle the events around Washington’s crossing of the Delaware on Christmas day and his victory at the Battle of Trenton. Weems frames Washington in stark contrast to the frivolous enemy troops and their holiday decadence.

General Howe, having driven the Americans to the western side of the Delaware, stationed 4000 men in Trenton, Bordentown, and Burlington, on its eastern bank; and then returned with the main army to eat their winter puddings in Brunswick and New-York. Here Washington, with joy, first discovered an opportunity to make a blow. Not doubting, but that such a lonq run of success had taught the enemy to think very highly of themselves, and as meanly of the Americans; and suspecting, too, that at Christmas, which was close at hand, instead of watching and praying like good Christians, they would, very likely, be drinking and hopping like fools, he determined then and there if possible to break up their winter quarters.

• Mount Vernon website: “10 Facts About the Distillery” describe Washington’s distilling operations—one of the most profitable enterprises at Mount Vernon—and his own views on alcohol consumption. “Washington on the Dance Floor” describes Washington’s prowess on the dance floor and the social significance of balls and other dances.

Alcohol played a large role in the lives of most people in the 1700s. It was drunk during social occasions, and used medicinally and as a trading commodity. George Washington held an enlightened, modern attitude toward the consumption of alcohol. He enjoyed a variety of beverages, his favorite being sweet fortified wines like Madeira and Port. He also drank rum punch, porter, and whiskey. He was well aware of the dangers of drinking alcohol to excess and was a strong proponent of moderation.

Pairing #4: Praying at Valley Forge

This pairing challenges students with historical ambiguity and complexity. In describing Washington’s virtues, Weems stated goal was to emphasize his veneration for the Deity and the religious principles that guided him. For this reason some critics felt his story of the deist Washington kneeling in prayer at Valley Forge was a fabrication. The Mount Vernon accounts neither refutes nor supports this account, rather it underscores the inexact nature of historical research, especially when it comes to the feelings a private person harbors on their heart.

• The Life of Washington: Page 108 tells the story of what Weems’ respectable friend Potts saw on a snowy night at Valley Forge.

In the winter of ’77, while Washington, with the American army, lay encamped at Valley Forge, a certain good old friend, of the respectable family and name of Potts, if I mistake not, had occasion to pass through the woods near head quarters. Treading in his way along the venerable grove, suddenly he heard the sound of a human voice, which, as he advanced, increased on his ear; and at length became like the voice of one speaking much in earnest. As he approached the spot with a cautious step, whom should he behold, in a dark natural bower of ancient oaks, but the commander in chief of the American armies on his knees at prayer! Motionless with surprise, friend Potts continued on the place till the general, having ended his devotions, arose; and, with a countenance of angelic serenity, retired to headquarters. Friend Potts then went home, and on entering his parlour called out to his wife, “Sarah! my” dear Sarah! all’s well! all’s well! George Washington will yet prevail!”

• Mount Vernon website: “Religion” offers multiple accounts that explore Washington’s religious practices and his pursuit of religious liberty in the United States. This includes an interview with Mary V. Thompson, author of In the Hands of a Good Providence: Religion in the Life of George Washington.

When studying the religious beliefs of George Washington, it is difficult to make absolute, concrete conclusions. Depending on the source examined, Washington has been painted in differing lights ranging from a Deist to a believing Christian. No matter what precise conclusion is obtained, there are common facts surrounding Washington’s relationship with religion.

Pairing #5: Death

These texts describing Washington’s death may be the most dramatic of the pairings, dramatically different and dramatically revealing.

• The Life of Washington: Pages 183–185 describe in vivid detail Washington’s peaceful death and glorious ascension to heaven.

Feeling that the hour of his departure out of this world was at hand, he desired that everybody would quit the room. They all went out; and, according to his wish, left him—with his God…Feeling that the silver cord of life is loosing, and that his spirit is ready to quit her old companion, the body, he extends himself on his bed—closes his eyes for the last time with his own hands—folds his arms decently on his breast, then breathing out “Father of mercies, take me to thyself,”—he fell asleep.

• Mount Vernon website: “The Death of George Washington” offers a dramatically different account of Washington’s death. Rather than peaceful acceptance, Washington’s death was marked by frantic medical procedures by three different doctors who were rushed in as Washington’s conditions grew increasingly more dire. The description of the bleedings, poultices, emetics, and enemas an increasingly feeble Washington endured offers an eye-opening view of 18^th century medical practices. Its also noteworthy that no minister was ever called.

Between ten and eleven at night on December 14, 1799, 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, housemaids Caroline, Molly, and Charlotte, and his valet Christopher Sheels who stood in the room throughout the day.

Pairing #6: Slavery

While lopsided in the heft of its historical content, this pairing offers a forum for a challenging and powerful discussion. One of the virtues Weems most wanted to highlight was Washington’s magnanimity. Stories of how Washington uplifted the poor thread throughout the biography. See pages 211–217 for a sampling of these stories. Absent from Weems account are Washington’s views of slavery. Did he avoid the topic because it might erode sales in the South? Did he not share Washington’s views? The answers to these questions lie beyond The Life of Washington. In contrast, the Mount Vernon website offers numerous accounts of enslavement in the late 1700s, with rich humanizing details from Mount Vernon. Especially illuminating are Washington’s considerations on how to best unravel slavery from the economic and social fabric of his plantation and throughout the south.

• The Life of Washington: Page 243 summarizes the disposition of Washington’s will, the only reference to Mount Vernon’s enslaved population.

Like a pure republican, he orders all his slaves to be liberated, at certain ages, on his wife’s death‚ lamenting, that from obstacles insurmountable, he could not have done it earlier.

• Mount Vernon website: “Slavery” offers a library of articles on George Washington’s views on slavery and the enslaved population at Mount Vernon. Note especially “The Only Unavoidable Subject of Regret” describes Washington’s evolving views on the institution of slavery. “George Washington’s Last Will and Testament, July 9, 1799” is a fascinating primary source document that describes in Washington’s own words his intentions to free “all the slaves I hold in my own right” and how they should be treated.

At the time of George Washington’s death, the Mount Vernon estate’s enslaved population consisted of 317 people. Washington himself had been a slave owner for fifty-six years, beginning at eleven years of age when he inherited ten slaves from his deceased father. Washington’s thoughts on slavery were contradictory and changed over time. This evolution culminated near the end of his life; Washington’s will mandated the freeing of all his slaves upon his wife’s death, making him the only slave holding Founder to put provisions for manumission in his will.

These pairings are only a start. Wandering the electronic halls of the Mount Vernon website and perusing The Life of Washington will suggest other pairings. Or, if students are so inclined to sift through 14 volumes of writings and correspondence with the support of a search engine, The Writings of George Washington offer a rich array of primary source documents to mine. The Question Formulation Technique (QFT) can help turn these pairings and art wonderings into inquiry-based research questions that build on student insights and interests. For ideas on how to structure inquiry circle see Stefanie Harvey and Smokey Daniels Comprehension and Collaboration: Inquiry Circles for Curiosity, Engagement, and Understanding.