Feb 11

Feb 11 The Truth About Washington's Lies - Parson Weems and the Cherry Tree

Mason Locke Weems was a preacher and bookseller who first wrote about George Washington’s Cherry Tree.

Weems was also important in the transition away from the Church of England in the aftermath of the Revolutionary War.

Mason Locke Weems

Mason Locke Weems decided not to participate in the American Revolution, instead becoming a theologian.

In the early 1780’s, Weems went to Europe to study religion and become a Pastor but ran into a problem.

As an Episcopalian, he was supposed to take an oath of loyalty to the King of England. Considering he wanted to return and preach in the independent United States of America, this was not going to work out.

A Nation Without A Church

The vacuum created between Anglican clergy in the United State and Great Britain during the Revolutionary War was felt by everyone.

Weems became one of the Americans in Europe trying to solve the situation. He worked with other Founders like John Adams, Ben Franklin and Samuel Chase (there on business) to remedy the situation.

Mason traveled around for a bit, thinking he could be ordained in another country, but there was nowhere else with the proper religion.

Eventually, Weems was ordained by the Archbishop of Canterbury in a quasi-legal 1784 ceremony.

Books

Mason returned to the United States where he became an itinerant preacher.

Now known as Parson Weems, he supplemented the income for his large family selling books on his tours.

Eventually, he began writing books of his own which would make both he and his subjects famous.

Telling Lies

Weems is best known for A History of the Life and Death, Virtues and Exploits of General George Washington.

This biography, published just a year after the President’s death, was wildly successful. It also made Washington appear larger than life.

The fifth edition, printed in 1805, was the first time the ‘little Washington chopped down a cherry tree and couldn’t lie about it’ story was told.

While the cherry tree tale certainly could have happened, it probably didn’t.

At a time when historical accuracy was not necessary to sell books, Weems’ hearing the story fifteenth-hand started a legend that is still told by school children today.

The Swamp Fox

Before we give Parson Weems too much trouble, it is important to note that he wrote biographies about several other Founders.

In addition to a successful book on Benjamin Franklin, Weems’ biography of Francis Marion turned the General from a lesser known Revolutionary to a more recognizable leader of the war, much like the Swamp Fox deserved.

If you enjoyed this article, you might like these others which involve the Church of England:

The Church Without England - Samuel Seabury Reunites The Faithful

Richard Peters - From Secretary to the Board (of War)

Rawlins Lowndes Overrules the Stamp Act

For a guy who wrote a lot of biographies, Weems only has one about himself that I am aware of.

‘The Book-Peddling Parson’ looks at Weems’ efforts as a country preacher and bookseller.

If you’d like a copy you can get one through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).