George Washington's Last Words

I love that they bled him four times. That's probably what killed him.

I Die Hard, But I Am Not Afraid to Go — George Washington

American Minute with Bill Federer

He caught a chill riding horseback several hours in the snow while inspecting his Mount Vernon farm. The next morning it developed into acute laryngitis and the doctors were called in.

Their response was to bleed him heavily four times, a process of cutting one’s arm to let the “bad blood” out. They also had him gargle with a mixture of molasses, vinegar and butter. Despite their best efforts, the doctors could not save former President George Washington and he died DECEMBER 14, 1799, at the age of sixty-seven.

After saying “Doctor, I die hard, but I am not afraid to go” and “I should have been glad, had it pleased God, to die a little easier, but I doubt not it is for my good,” George Washington, at about 11pm, uttered his last words: “Father of mercies, take me unto thyself.”