After George had finally left public life and retired to his beloved Mount Vernon, he had a few years of private life. Yes, he was still visited by friends and neighbors on a regular basis, but no more public obligations.

One evening he went out to mark some trees to be cut down. It was during a slight snow-storm. When he came back he was horse and told Martha he was feeling “unwell.” Martha offered to make his some remedy to ease his pain.

He told her: “No. Let it go as it came. You know I never take anything for a cold.”

Later he asked to review his wills, and chose the one he intended. The doctor was called. He came immediately, but could not do much. George told Dr. Craik “I die hard. But I am not afraid to go; I believed from my first attack that I should not survive it; my breath cannot last long.”

George passed away between 10 and 11 o’clock on December 14, 1799. Martha remarked that he didn’t intend to “quit the theater of this world” until the new century had been rung in.

I am reminded of his passing just before the end of the year, each year as we celebrate New Year’s Eve. George just wasn’t intended to live to a new century!