Mason Locke Weems, more widely known as Parson Weems, was a book agent and author. He is the source of the famous tale of George Washington chopping down a cherry tree as a boy: "I cannot tell a lie, I did it with my little hatchet." This story is included in Parson Weems most famous book The Life of Washington.
Weems was a great admirer of President Washington, and probably used the "cherry tree story" as a parable for the young people of the early 1800's.
Weems was an ordained minister in the Protestant Episcopal Church and worked as a minister in Maryland. His poor financial condition forced him to find a second source of income, so became a traveling book agent and author.
The Life of Washington was published in 1800. Other famous works written by Parson Weems include Life of Benjamin Franklin, with Essays and Life of William Penn.
Weems also owned and operated a bookstore in Dumfries, Virginia. The book store is still there today, and houses the Weems-Botts Museum. It is reportedly haunted - but that's another story.
Happy Birthday President George Washington, you're still looked upon with great admiration today.
If you like to celebrate Washington's Birthday with a piece of cherry pie, don't forget to applaud Parson Weems!
