10. Mary Ball Washington prevented her son from serving in the British Navy
Mary Ball Washington, the mother of George Washington, was the second wife of George’s father Augustine. A son from his first marriage, Lawrence Washington, served as an officer in the Royal Navy, under Admiral Edward Vernon. Lawrence so admired Admiral Vernon he named his Virginia estate Mount Vernon in his honor. When his half-brother George reached the age of 14, Lawrence made arrangements for George to received a warrant as a midshipman in the British Navy (Lawrence commanded a detachment of Virginia Militia serving as Marines). Family friend and confidant Lord Fairfax supported the idea. By then widowed, Mary Ball Washington sought the advice of her brother, Joseph Ball, a prominent member of Virginia society than living in London.
Under his counsel, Mary refused to allow George to accept the appointment, which had it been accepted would have changed world history in ways left only to the imagination. Throughout the rest of her life, her influence over her son remained prominent. He sought and received her approval prior to running for the Burgesses, accepting the command of the Virginia militia, attending the Continental Congress, and even accepting the office as first President of the United States. She died of breast cancer in 1789, the first year of his presidency. He wore a black mourning band for the ensuing five months in remembrance of the woman who prevented George Washington from embarking on a career in the Royal Navy.