Celebrate George!

February 11 -or 22nd (!) is George Washington’s birthday.
The young George Washington visited our area at important points in his life and career.
In March 1748, during his time as a surveyor, he wrote of visiting the Cresap home at the mouth of the South Branch of the Potomac. He notes of this part of his journey: “I believe ye worst road than ever was trod by Man or Beast.”
Washington began and ended his military service in Cumberland. His first command was as Colonel George Washington, serving under Braddock in the French and Indian War
In 1794, as Commander in Chief, he reviewed the troops gathered to put down the Whiskey Rebellion.
Celebrate all things George at this year’s Whiskey Rebellion Fest, Allegany Museum in Cumberland, Friday June 12, 6 to 10 pm. Tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/george-washingtons-whiskey-reb…
Brought to you by the Community Trust Foundation

The Whiskey Rebellion Harrisburg, Pennsylvania — October 3, 1794 In September 1791 the western counties of Pennsylvania broke out in rebellion against a federal excise tax on the distillation of whiskey. After local and federal officials were attacked, President Washington and his advisors decided to send troops to pacify the region. It was further decided that militia troops, rather than regulars, would be sent. On August 14, 1792, under the provisions of the newly-enacted militia law, Secretary of War Henry Knox called upon the governors of Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania for 12,950 troops as a test of the President’s power to enforce the law. Numerous problems, both political and logistical, had to be overcome and by October, 1794 the militiamen were on the march. The New Jersey units marched from Trenton to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. There they were reviewed by their Commander-in-Chief, President George Washington, accompanied by Secretary of the Treasury and Revolutionary war veteran Alexander Hamilton. By the time the troops reached Pittsburgh, the rebellion had subsided, and western Pennsylvania was quickly pacified. This first use of the Militia Law of 1792 set a precedence for the use of the militia to “execute the laws of the union, (and) suppress insurrections”. New Jersey was the only state to immediately fulfill their levy of troops to the exact number required by the President. This proud tradition of service to state and nation is carried on today by the New Jersey Army and Air National Guard.