George Washington died on December 14, 1799, but the cause of his death—and the medical treatments that likely accelerated it—remains a subject of historical and medical debate. The first president’s final day involved aggressive bloodletting that drained nearly half his blood.

4 related posts

Date of death: December 14, 1799 ·
Age at death: 67 years ·
Cause (modern diagnosis): Acute bacterial epiglottitis ·
Blood loss during treatment: Approximately 40% of total blood volume ·
Time of death: Between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. ·
Last words: ‘Tis well

Quick snapshot

1The Real Cause
2The Bloodletting
3Last Moments
4Aftermath

Six key facts, one pattern: the medical treatments of 1799 turned a survivable infection into a fatal cascade.

Detail Value
Date of death December 14, 1799 (Mount Vernon)
Age 67 years
Location Mount Vernon, Virginia
Modern diagnosis Acute bacterial epiglottitis (PubMed)
Blood loss (treatment) ~40% of total blood volume (National Constitution Center)
Treatment used Bloodletting, blistering, purging (The Permanente Journal (peer‑reviewed medical journal))

What Was the Real Cause of George Washington’s Death?

Why this matters

The 18th‑century diagnosis of “cynanche trachealis” maps neatly onto what we now call acute bacterial epiglottitis – a fast‑moving infection that swells the tissue above the vocal cords. Without a tracheotomy or modern antibiotics, the airway closes.

The Throat Infection Diagnosis

  • Washington’s physicians at the time diagnosed him with cynanche trachealis, an inflammation of the glottis, larynx, or upper trachea that obstructed the airway. (National Constitution Center (non‑profit educational foundation))
  • The infection began after he rode out in snow and rain on December 12, 1799, supervising farm work. By the next day his throat was painfully sore. (PubMed)

Modern Medical Reassessment: Acute Bacterial Epiglottitis

  • In 1997, a University of Virginia statement concluded that acute epiglottitis “does explain all of his symptoms and his demise.” (National Constitution Center)
  • The Permanente Journal review notes that earlier 1927 interpretations suggested diphtheria, but later analyses favor acute epiglottitis, fulminant cervical phlegmon, or acute inflammatory edema of the larynx. (The Permanente Journal)

The pattern: The exact strain of bacteria remains unknown, but the mechanism – airway obstruction from swelling – is consistent across all modern reviews.

How Did Bloodletting Contribute to George Washington’s Death?

The catch

Bloodletting was the standard of care in 1799. Yet for an already weakened patient fighting an airway infection, removing 40% of his blood likely pushed his body past the point of recovery.

The Bloodletting Procedure

  • Washington’s three attending physicians – Dr. James Craik, Dr. Gustavus Brown, and Dr. Elisha Dick – performed repeated bleedings over about eight hours. (National Constitution Center)
  • Mount Vernon records that a total of thirty‑two ounces of blood was extracted during the last bleeding alone. (Mount Vernon)

Estimated Blood Loss and its Effects

  • The National Constitution Center estimates total blood loss at about 40 percent of Washington’s blood volume.
  • A review in The Permanente Journal calculated that more than 2,500 mL of blood was removed by phlebotomy – roughly half the blood in an average adult male. (The Permanente Journal)
  • Washington’s breathing reportedly improved late in the evening, but the cumulative blood loss likely caused hypovolemic shock. (The Permanente Journal)

What this means: The bloodletting didn’t cause the infection, but it almost certainly accelerated death by depriving his organs of oxygen right when his body needed all its resources to fight the swelling.

What Were George Washington’s Last Words?

The Final Moments

  • According to his secretary Tobias Lear, Washington said: “Doctor, 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.” (Mount Vernon)
  • His last words, around 10 p.m., were: “I am just going! Have me decently buried; and do not let my body be put into the vault less than three days after I am dead.” The account ends with “’Tis well!” (National Constitution Center)

Martha’s Presence

  • Martha Washington was seated at the foot of his bed throughout the final hours. (Mount Vernon)
  • Lear’s detailed account of the day provides the only eyewitness record of Washington’s final words and demeanor. (National Constitution Center)

Why it sticks: A general who faced death on countless battlefields died calmly in his own bed, issuing burial instructions with the same precision he used to command the Continental Army.

How Long Did Martha Washington Live After George Died?

Martha’s Later Years

  • Martha Washington survived her husband by about two and a half years. She died on May 22, 1802, at age 70. (Mount Vernon)
  • After George’s death, Martha largely withdrew from public life, spending her remaining years at Mount Vernon.

Her Death and Burial

  • Martha died from a severe fever, described at the time as “bilious fever.” She is buried beside George in the Mount Vernon tomb. (Mount Vernon)

The trade-off: Martha lived long enough to witness the early years of the 19th century but never remarried. Her loyalty to Washington’s legacy helped cement his place in American memory.

Are There Any Descendants of George Washington Alive Today?

Washington’s Children and Stepchildren

  • George Washington had no biological children with Martha. He raised Martha’s two surviving children from her first marriage, John Parke Custis and Martha Parke Custis. (Mount Vernon)
  • John Parke Custis had children, creating the Custis family line, but these are not blood descendants of George Washington.

Claimed Descendants and DNA Evidence

  • No direct biological descendants are confirmed alive today. Various individuals have claimed descent from Washington through alleged extramarital relationships, but DNA evidence has not supported these claims. (National Constitution Center)

The implication: America’s first president left behind a legacy of leadership, but no bloodline. His step‑grandchildren’s descendants carry the Custis name, not Washington’s.

Timeline: The Final Days of George Washington

  • December 12, 1799 – Washington rides in snow and rain while supervising farm work; develops a sore throat.
  • December 13, 1799 – Throat worsens; doctors called. Bloodletting begins.
  • December 14, 1799 (morning) – Doctors continue bloodletting; Washington’s condition deteriorates.
  • December 14, 1799 (evening) – Washington dies between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.
  • December 18, 1799 – Funeral held at Mount Vernon.

Timeline signal: From first symptom to death: just 48 hours. The speed of his decline underscores how aggressively the infection – and the treatment – worked.

Confirmed Facts vs. What’s Unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Washington died on December 14, 1799 at Mount Vernon. (Mount Vernon)
  • His last words were “’Tis well.” (National Constitution Center)
  • Bloodletting was performed by his doctors. (The Permanente Journal)
  • He suffered from a severe throat infection. (PubMed)

What’s unclear

  • The exact bacterial strain causing the epiglottitis is unknown.
  • Whether Washington’s life could have been saved with modern antibiotics is speculative.
  • Some details of the bloodletting quantity vary across sources (40% is most cited). (National Constitution Center)

In Their Own Words

“Doctor, 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 Washington, as recorded by Tobias Lear, via Mount Vernon

“Cynanche trachealis … an inflammation of the glottis, larynx, or upper trachea that obstructed the airway.”

– Dr. James Craik, attending physician, as cited by the National Constitution Center

“Have me decently buried; and do not let my body be put into the vault less than three days after I am dead.”

– George Washington’s burial instructions, via National Constitution Center

Bottom line: George Washington died from a throat infection that would likely be treatable today. The 18th‑century remedy of bloodletting removed nearly half his blood, turning a dangerous illness into a fatal one. For history buffs: the real story is more nuanced than a simple date. For medical readers: it’s a stark lesson in how treatment itself can become the cause of death.
Additional sources

study.com

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

What time did George Washington die?

He died between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. on December 14, 1799. (Mount Vernon)

Which president had his blood drained?

George Washington was subjected to bloodletting during his final illness. The practice was common in the 18th century. (National Constitution Center)

How did George Washington die bloodletting?

Bloodletting weakened him by removing about 40% of his blood volume, hastening his death from a throat infection. (National Constitution Center)

What were George Washington’s last words?

His last words were “’Tis well,” preceded by instructions for his burial. (National Constitution Center)

How long did Martha Washington live after George died?

Martha died on May 22, 1802, about 2.5 years after George. (Mount Vernon)

Are there any descendants of George Washington alive today?

No direct biological descendants are confirmed. His step‑grandchildren’s lines exist but carry the Custis name. (National Constitution Center)

What was the weather like when George Washington died?

The weather on December 14, 1799 was cold and snowy. He had been exposed to rain and snow two days earlier. (Mount Vernon)

Did George Washington have a funeral at Mount Vernon?

Yes, his funeral was held at Mount Vernon on December 18, 1799. He is buried there alongside Martha. (Mount Vernon)

Related reading

For anyone researching the death of George Washington, the convergence of 18th‑century medical limitations and a swift infection creates a cautionary tale. The choice to bleed a president may seem barbaric now, but it was the best medicine of its time. For modern historians, the lesson is clear: always question the treatment as much as the disease.