Jacob Van Braam
Encyclopedia
Jacob Van Braam was a sword master and mercenary who trained the 19-year-old George Washington
in 1751 or shortly thereafter. He was also retained by Washington as a translator.
, George Washington's elder half brother. They served under Admiral Vernon in the expedition to Carthagena
. Then, accompanying Lawrence Washington to Mount Vernon
, Van Braam was taken on to train George Washington just after Washington was appointed a militia leader for his district with the nominal rank of major. Van Braam gave Washington much instruction as to fencing, flags, fortification and the armies of Europe. Lawrence Washington also trained George at this time, as did Lawrence's cronies, and an adjutant named “Muse” (no first name given) who taught George the “evolution of arms.” According to the 1855 biography of Washington by Washington Irving
:
Curiously other biographers (notably, John Marshall
) mention Van Braam only as “an interpreter” brought along on the preliminary diplomatic expeditions leading up to the culmination of his earlier actions against the French, and not as a long time associate and instructor who campaigned with his brother and schooled George Washington in the art of the sword and other military matters. At the Battle of Great Meadows in July of 1754,
On account of his alleged wrong rendering of one word, Van Braam received more blame than praise for his services, while others made it the occasion for criticism of Washington himself. The voluminous controversy, which arose in the Virginia colonial legislature over Van Braam's asserted mistranslation, could hardly have arisen in New York, where the Dutch language was generally spoken, and the Netherlanders' association of ideas with the use of the word “assassin,” which was not then in the Dutch language, but common in French and English, was better understood.
The ordinary meaning of this word “assassin,” as used in military parlance at this time, was not that of a dastardly or prowling murderer, but rather that of a soldier who attacks suddenly without warning; and this seems to have been the method of the impetuous, young George Washington, in July 1754, when he rushed upon the French party, during which Jumonville
was killed.
Van Braam later joined the 60th Rifles and fought in the American Revolutionary War
, serving on the British side. In a letter to Washington, he expressed personal regret at the change of relations and the fortune of war. He resigned his commission in 1779. He then settled in France.
His subsequent history is not known.
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
in 1751 or shortly thereafter. He was also retained by Washington as a translator.
Biography
Van Braam entered the British naval service and acted as lieutenant with Lawrence WashingtonLawrence Washington
Lawrence Washington may refer to:*Lawrence Washington , great-great-grandfather of George Washington*Lawrence Washington , grandfather of George Washington*Lawrence Washington , George Washington's half-brother and mentor...
, George Washington's elder half brother. They served under Admiral Vernon in the expedition to Carthagena
Battle of Cartagena de Indias
The Battle of Cartagena de Indias was an amphibious military engagement between the forces of Britain under Vice-Admiral Edward Vernon and those of Spain under Admiral Blas de Lezo. It took place at the city of Cartagena de Indias in March 1741, in present-day Colombia...
. Then, accompanying Lawrence Washington to Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon
The name Mount Vernon is a dedication to the English Vice-Admiral Edward Vernon. It was first applied to Mount Vernon, the Virginia estate of George Washington, the first President of the United States...
, Van Braam was taken on to train George Washington just after Washington was appointed a militia leader for his district with the nominal rank of major. Van Braam gave Washington much instruction as to fencing, flags, fortification and the armies of Europe. Lawrence Washington also trained George at this time, as did Lawrence's cronies, and an adjutant named “Muse” (no first name given) who taught George the “evolution of arms.” According to the 1855 biography of Washington by Washington Irving
Washington Irving
Washington Irving was an American author, essayist, biographer and historian of the early 19th century. He was best known for his short stories "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle", both of which appear in his book The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. His historical works...
:
Curiously other biographers (notably, John Marshall
John Marshall
John Marshall was the Chief Justice of the United States whose court opinions helped lay the basis for American constitutional law and made the Supreme Court of the United States a coequal branch of government along with the legislative and executive branches...
) mention Van Braam only as “an interpreter” brought along on the preliminary diplomatic expeditions leading up to the culmination of his earlier actions against the French, and not as a long time associate and instructor who campaigned with his brother and schooled George Washington in the art of the sword and other military matters. At the Battle of Great Meadows in July of 1754,
On account of his alleged wrong rendering of one word, Van Braam received more blame than praise for his services, while others made it the occasion for criticism of Washington himself. The voluminous controversy, which arose in the Virginia colonial legislature over Van Braam's asserted mistranslation, could hardly have arisen in New York, where the Dutch language was generally spoken, and the Netherlanders' association of ideas with the use of the word “assassin,” which was not then in the Dutch language, but common in French and English, was better understood.
The ordinary meaning of this word “assassin,” as used in military parlance at this time, was not that of a dastardly or prowling murderer, but rather that of a soldier who attacks suddenly without warning; and this seems to have been the method of the impetuous, young George Washington, in July 1754, when he rushed upon the French party, during which Jumonville
Joseph Coulon de Jumonville
Joseph Coulon de Villiers, Sieur de Jumonville was a French Canadian military officer. His defeat and killing at the Battle of Jumonville Glen by forces led by George Washington was one of the sparks igniting the Seven Years' War.- Early life :Jumonville was born in the seigneury of Verchères, New...
was killed.
Van Braam later joined the 60th Rifles and fought in the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, serving on the British side. In a letter to Washington, he expressed personal regret at the change of relations and the fortune of war. He resigned his commission in 1779. He then settled in France.
His subsequent history is not known.