WI G Washington had sons?

As I understand it in otl he only had step children from Martha, who was a widow when hey married. Bur suppose he had children.

How much pressure would there be on his son to go into Politics?
 
Washington and Custis married in 1759. So if they had any children, they'd likely be in their teens by the time the War for Independence began. Most likely, if they were boys they'd serve in some capacity in the Continental Army - probably as staff officers or if younger as messengers - not front line troops or combat officers. It is possible the eldest might serve in combat by the time of Yorktown.

They'd likely follow their father into politics, either as early bureaucrats or perhaps elected in their own right in the Virginia legislature or later Congress. Early America was a very cozy polity originally, and certain families dominated local politics. Washington's family could easily do that. However, it'd depend on their natural talents whether they achieved anything worthwhile. Washington likely would be very concerned that it not be seen that his children were becoming a dynasty or a kind of royalty. That would smack of monarchy and aristocracy, and it would hurt his own reputation.

Given Washington's own political instincts, his children would likely be Federalists which may help that party survive longer. If they were in the party by the Hartford Convention, I don't think they'd want anything associated with them that pointed to splitting up the country.

If he had daughters, then it's possible they might be married to some of the young officers he commanded in combat.
 
Washington and Custis married in 1759. So if they had any children, they'd likely be in their teens by the time the War for Independence began. Most likely, if they were boys they'd serve in some capacity in the Continental Army - probably as staff officers or if younger as messengers - not front line troops or combat officers. It is possible the eldest might serve in combat by the time of Yorktown.

They'd likely follow their father into politics, either as early bureaucrats or perhaps elected in their own right in the Virginia legislature or later Congress. Early America was a very cozy polity originally, and certain families dominated local politics. Washington's family could easily do that. However, it'd depend on their natural talents whether they achieved anything worthwhile. Washington likely would be very concerned that it not be seen that his children were becoming a dynasty or a kind of royalty. That would smack of monarchy and aristocracy, and it would hurt his own reputation.

Given Washington's own political instincts, his children would likely be Federalists which may help that party survive longer. If they were in the party by the Hartford Convention, I don't think they'd want anything associated with them that pointed to splitting up the country.

If he had daughters, then it's possible they might be married to some of the young officers he commanded in combat.

Well, he did have a step-grandson and adopted son, Martha's grandson, George Washington Parke Custis (April 30, 1781 – October 10, 1857). He was a planter who built and developed Arlington House. In his later life, he wrote several books about G.W., for a while supported the Colonization Movement (sending freed slaves back to Liberia - they weren't too thrilled with the idea), as well as being an orator and playwright. He also served briefly in the Virginia Assembly.

Regards,
John Braungart
 
You might have to prevent him from contracting small pox since that might be what led to his lack of children in OTL.

Also, if Washington had natural children, he might not have as much of a disposition against appearing to be setting up a political dynasty but who knows. It likely would change a lot of things about him if he had genetic offspring as opposed to solely adopted children.
 
Well, he did have a step-grandson and adopted son, Martha's grandson, George Washington Parke Custis (April 30, 1781 – October 10, 1857). He was a planter who built and developed Arlington House. In his later life, he wrote several books about G.W., for a while supported the Colonization Movement (sending freed slaves back to Liberia - they weren't too thrilled with the idea), as well as being an orator and playwright. He also served briefly in the Virginia Assembly.

And, FWIW, became Robert E. Lee's father-in-law (which is how Lee ended up with Arlington).
 
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