The Little Washington's Relatives

In Short

Philadelphia cousins Anne and Jack join their relatives George and Martha Parke, alongside neighbor John and cook's son Jim, for an action-packed summer in the Washington suburbs. Inspired by readings of George Washington's life, the children stage elaborate historical games—from the wedding of Martha Custis to the Boston Tea Party and naval skirmishes on a local creek. Interspersed with historical lessons from their mothers, the book captures the energetic, mischievous imaginative play of early-century children. It has lasted as a charming juvenile depiction of youthful historical enthusiasm.

The Story

The narrative opens as George and Martha Parke eagerly await the arrival of their Philadelphia cousins, Anne and Jack, at their suburban home near Washington, D.C. As they wait, George, Martha, and Jim the cook's son plan games and plot a pantry raid for cookies. Soon, the cousins arrive by automobile, and the children immerse themselves in playing out scenes from American history, inspired by the historical readings led by Mrs. Parke and Mrs. Davis.

The children rehearse a grand recreation of the George Washington and Martha Custis wedding in the attic, complete with a lace curtain veil and a collapsing lounge that sends Jack tumbling into the dust. Afterward, the mothers read aloud from Washington's life, detailing his meeting with the widow Custis and his journey carrying dispatches. Restless for more action, the children demand war stories, prompting readings on the Boston Tea Party, the clashes at Lexington and Concord, and the bloody battle of Bunker Hill.

Energized by these accounts, the children organize an ambitious reenactment of the Boston Tea Party. They build a makeshift ship named the Dartmouth, load it with cereal boxes as tea chests, and set sail on a muddy local creek. The girls act as American colonists, hurling soft, rotten apples as cannon-balls at the sailing boys. Chaos ensues when the raft tips over, plunging the boys into the water and terrifying Jim, who encounters an unexpected underwater menace that halts the battle.

Following their creek adventures, the children and their mothers take a picturesque automobile trip to visit the historic Mount Vernon estate. They explore the old-fashioned kitchen, the general's private study with its yellowed papers, and the four-poster bedrooms, bringing the historical lessons vividly into physical reality. Back home, the historical readings continue with selections from Washington's maxims and religious reflections, which prompt earnest, humorous theological debates among the children about duty, pride, and divine guidance.

The historical play persists with drilling, fife-and-music practice, and endless debates over military tactics. The climax of the children's domestic adventures arrives when a delivery wagon brings a brightly painted red, white, and blue rowboat as a gift from their aunt, elevating their creek naval operations to new heights. Finally, a sudden domestic disruption—the departure of a cook—intertwines with adult travel plans, culminating in a grand family excursion to New York City. Accompanied by their mothers and neighbor John's family, the four excited children board a Pullman train north, eager to explore more historic sites and bring their energetic adventures to a close.

How It Unfolds

• The cousins arrive: George and Martha eagerly watch for Anne and Jack from Philadelphia, quickly involving young Jim in their plans for a welcome party and a surreptitious cookie raid in the pantry.
• The attic wedding: The children stage a chaotic rehearsal of the Washington-Custis wedding with elaborate attic costumes, ending when an old lounge collapses under Jack and sends him tumbling.
• The Boston Tea Party on the creek: Inspired by readings on colonial resistance, the children build a makeshift raft-ship and wage a watery war involving soft, rotten apples as cannon-balls and unexpected swims.
• The Mount Vernon pilgrimage: The family takes a scenic automobile trip to tour the historic Mount Vernon estate, exploring Washington's private study, bedrooms, and the estate's preserved revolutionary relics.
• The painted rowboat arrives: A delivery wagon brings a vibrant red, white, and blue rowboat to the local creek, vastly improving the children's capacity for authentic naval historical reenactments.
• The journey north to New York: Amid sudden household changes and adult travel plans, a family excursion to New York City is hastily arranged, sending the four enthusiastic children off on a final historic adventure.

The People

George Parke is a confident boy past ten who loves action, military history, and leading elaborate historical games, though his schemes sometimes test adult trust. Martha Parke, his younger sister, is imaginative, thoughtful, and eager to coordinate domestic scenes like weddings, yet she joins fully in the chaotic outdoor battles. Jack and Anne are the visiting Philadelphia cousins; Jack brings camping knowledge and a penchant for getting into tumbling mishaps, while Anne assists with costume details and ammunition hurling. Jim, the cook's son, acts as a reluctant participant in dramatic scenes but throws himself enthusiastically into playing the cook and navigating watery perils. Mrs. Parke and Mrs. Davis serve as the patient maternal guides who read history aloud, moderate debates, and supply treats, steering the children's boundless energy toward constructive education. John Graham, the next-door neighbor, frequently joins the schemes, bringing his own perspectives to the children's military debates and rivalries. Throughout the summer, these children shift from passive listeners into active participants who merge historical lore with chaotic childhood play, ending the visit eager for broader geographical horizons.

In Its Own Voice

“Well, it’s time for them to be here, anyway,” argued George, with the usual finality of a boy past ten years of age.

George expresses his characteristic authority while awaiting his visiting cousins on the front steps.

“If you insist upon having war when there was no war, I must skip the fifteen years of quiet life on his estate, to get Washington in the midst of fresh battle scenes,” argued Mrs. Parke.

Mrs. Parke negotiates with the children who reject quiet domestic chapters in favor of active military history.

“Oh, no—no! If you love peace and quiet at home, do not drop a hint of this proposed treat to them,” remonstrated Mrs. Parke.

Mrs. Parke highlights the children's explosive energy when discussing the surprise New York trip.

What It's Really About

The book explores the intersection of education and imaginative play, examining how abstract historical figures can become living companions for growing children. It questions how moral instruction and national heritage are transmitted across generations, contrasting the quiet, disciplined virtue attributed to George Washington with the messy, impulsive reality of modern childhood. Beneath the playful skirmishes and historical readings lies an inquiry into character formation, asking whether virtue is an innate divine mandate or something cultivated through serious reflection and practical application. Ultimately, it reflects early twentieth-century ideas about active learning, family bonds, and the formative power of American historical mythology on young minds.

Why Read It Today

Modern readers will love this book for its charming, unhurried glimpse into a bygone era of childhood where imagination transformed backyards into revolutionary battlefields. Reading it feels like flipping through an antique photo album filled with innocent mischief, broken furniture, and sunlit creek adventures. It offers an authentic window into early twentieth-century pedagogical methods, where history lessons were woven directly into daily family life. However, modern readers must navigate period-specific racial attitudes, particularly in the depiction of Jim and his mother, which reflect the paternalistic social hierarchies of the era. Additionally, the heavy inclusion of didactic historical lectures and archaic language can slow the narrative pace. Yet, readers who appreciate vintage children's literature will find enduring warmth in the children's unbreakable camaraderie, their inventive play, and the affectionate indulgence of their parents. It stays with you as a gentle reminder of a time when childhood was defined by outdoor exploration and shared stories.