Few Americans realize that their first president’s only journey outside of colonial North America took him to the tropical shores of Barbados. In the fall of 1751, a nineteen-year-old George Washington embarked on what would become one of the most formative adventures of his early life, accompanying his tuberculosis-stricken half-brother Lawrence to the Caribbean island. This lesser-known chapter in Washington’s life would prove instrumental in shaping the man who would later lead a revolution and become the father of a nation.

The journey began with hope and familial duty. Lawrence Washington, suffering from consumption (what we now know as tuberculosis), had been advised by physicians to seek the warm climate of the West Indies for relief from his symptoms. Young George, already showing the sense of responsibility that would mark his later years, volunteered to accompany his beloved half-brother on the arduous sea voyage. The decision to travel to Barbados was not made lightly – the island was then considered the wealthiest and most important English colony in the Americas, known for its sophisticated society and supposed healing climate.

The sea voyage itself proved to be an education for the future military leader. Setting sail from Virginia on September 28, 1751, the brothers endured a seven-week journey aboard the Success, a merchant ship that would test their endurance and George’s growing interest in maritime affairs. Washington, who kept a detailed diary of his voyage, recorded everything from weather conditions to navigational observations. This experience would later prove invaluable during his leadership of the Continental Army, particularly in understanding the strategic importance of naval operations.

Upon arriving in Bridgetown, Barbados’s capital, on November 2, 1751, the Washingtons were immediately thrust into the island’s unique colonial society. The Barbados that greeted them was a complex world of wealth and contradiction. Sugar plantations dominated the landscape, their prosperity built on the brutal institution of slavery – a reality that would have been familiar to the Virginia-born Washington, but on a scale that dwarfed what he had known at home. The young man’s diary entries reveal his fascination with the island’s fortifications, agricultural practices, and social customs.

They took up residence at Bush Hill House, a comfortable dwelling owned by Gedney Clarke, a prominent merchant and friend of Lawrence. Here, George experienced his first taste of sophisticated colonial society outside of Virginia. He attended dinner parties, visited military installations, and observed the workings of the island’s plantation economy. The relative complexity and cosmopolitan nature of Barbadian society, compared to more provincial Virginia, offered Washington a broader perspective on colonial life and governance.

However, the journey soon took a dangerous turn. Just two weeks after their arrival, George contracted smallpox – a disease that would leave him bedridden for nearly a month. This brush with death, while harrowing, would ultimately prove fortuitous. The immunity he gained from surviving the disease would protect him during later smallpox epidemics that ravaged the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. In fact, this experience likely influenced his later decision to implement a controversial immunization program among American troops, becoming one of the first large-scale immunization campaigns in military history.

Washington’s detailed observations of Barbadian society reveal a young man developing the keen analytical mind that would serve him so well in his future roles. He took particular interest in the island’s defenses, meticulously noting the construction and positioning of forts, the organization of the local militia, and the strategies employed to protect this valuable colonial possession. These observations would later inform his own military thinking during the American Revolution.

The future president was also struck by the differences in agricultural practices between Barbados and Virginia. The intensive sugar cultivation he witnessed, with its year-round growing season and complex processing requirements, contrasted sharply with the seasonal tobacco farming he knew from home. Washington’s diary entries show his growing understanding of different agricultural methods and labor systems, knowledge he would later apply to diversifying Mount Vernon’s crops and improving its efficiency.

Perhaps most significantly, the time in Barbados exposed him to a more diverse and stratified colonial society than he had known in Virginia. The island’s population included wealthy British planters, merchants from various European nations, free people of color, and enslaved Africans who made up the majority of inhabitants. This experience would have given the young Washington a broader perspective on colonial society and perhaps influenced his later views on governance and leadership.

The social connections he made during his Barbados stay would prove valuable in his future career. He met numerous influential merchants, military officers, and government officials, expanding his network beyond the confines of Virginia society. These connections would later prove useful during his military and political career, particularly in understanding the complex web of colonial relationships and trade networks.

Despite the hoped-for benefits of the tropical climate, Lawrence’s health showed little improvement, and the brothers’ paths would soon diverge. George departed Barbados on December 22, 1751, after a stay of just seven weeks, while Lawrence continued his search for a cure by traveling to Bermuda. Sadly, Lawrence’s health continued to decline, and he would return to Virginia only to die at Mount Vernon in July 1752.

The impact of the journey on Washington’s development cannot be overstated. The experience broadened his horizons at a crucial moment in his development, exposing him to international trade, military strategy, and diverse social systems. His survival of smallpox would prove crucial to his later military success, and the observations he made of colonial administration and defense would inform his future leadership roles.

The trip also marked Washington’s first major independent responsibility, testing his decision-making abilities and self-reliance. The detailed diary he kept during this period reveals a young man already developing the careful attention to detail and systematic approach to observation that would characterize his later leadership style. His descriptions of everything from wind patterns to social customs show an emerging leader learning to analyze and understand the world around him.

Interestingly, some historians argue that Washington’s Barbados experience may have influenced his later views on American independence. Witnessing firsthand the operations of British colonial power in its most profitable Caribbean possession may have given him insights into both the strengths and weaknesses of the colonial system. The contrast between Barbadian and Virginian society might have helped shape his understanding of how different colonial regions could function together while maintaining their distinct characteristics – a crucial insight for the leader who would later unite thirteen diverse colonies.

Today, Bush Hill House, where Washington stayed, no longer stands, but a plaque marks the location in Bridgetown. The George Washington House, as it’s now known, has been restored and operates as a museum, offering visitors a glimpse into this fascinating chapter of American history. The site serves as a reminder of the international dimensions of Washington’s early life and the role that this Caribbean sojourn played in shaping America’s first president.

The Barbados experience also influenced Washington’s views on public health and medicine. His personal battle with smallpox, combined with the medical treatments he observed on the island, likely contributed to his later progressive attitudes toward healthcare and disease prevention. During the Revolutionary War, he would implement strict quarantine measures and support innovative medical practices, decisions possibly influenced by his time in Barbados.

Washington’s journey to Barbados represents more than just a young man’s travel adventure – it was a crucial chapter in the development of one of history’s most influential leaders. The knowledge, experiences, and perspectives he gained during those seven weeks would echo throughout his later life, influencing his military strategy, political leadership, and personal worldview. As we consider Washington’s legacy, we must remember that the father of our nation was shaped not only by his experiences in colonial America but also by his brief but significant time in the Caribbean.

In many ways, Washington’s Barbados journey encapsulates the interconnected nature of the colonial world and reminds us that American history cannot be understood in isolation from its Caribbean and Atlantic contexts. The young man who arrived on those shores in 1751 was still forming his character and worldview. The man who departed had gained experiences and insights that would serve him well as he went on to shape a new nation. This transformative journey, though brief, stands as a testament to the power of travel and experience in shaping great leaders.

Photo by Library of Congress

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