George Washington toby jug produced by Royal Cornwall of Japan circa 1980. The first President of the United States of America, George Washington (1732-1799), won a lasting place in American history as the Father of His Country. For nearly twenty years he guided the nation much as a father cares for a growing child. He resumed his military career as Commander-in-Chief of the American army against the British at Boston in 1775. A remarkable tactician and great leader of men, Washington proved himself a worthy commander in the ensuing Revolutionary War, which ended after his capture of Yorktown in 1781. In 1787 he presided over the convention charged with writing the United States Constitution. After refusing the role of King, he was overwhelmingly elected the first President of the new Republic in 1789, a position that he held until retiring in 1797. As President he successfully solved many problems in turning the outline of the Constitution into a working government. The federal capital of the United States is named in his honor. George stands 3" tall and a tree branch forms the handle of the jug.