Rappahannock River, NOT Potomac!……..Myth: George Washington threw a silver dollar across the Potomac River………Truth: This is just another legend that has changed several times over the years but it may have some truth. When George was a boy, there were no silver dollars as we know them today. Even if there had been, George probably would not have owned one and he certainly would not have thrown one away! The same man who wrote the cherry tree story wrote about George throwing a rock across the Rappahannock River (not the Potomac, which is too wide). According to the legend, George and his friends threw rocks across the river while waiting for the ferry. In George’s time, the Rappahannock River was about 300 feet wide, but George was a strong boy and probably could have done it. Other strong people have thrown a rock across the river at Ferry Farm in modern times.
Rappahannock River, NOT Potomac!……..Myth: George Washington threw a silver dollar across the Potomac River………Truth: This is just another legend that has changed several times over the years but it may have some truth. When George was a boy, there were no silver dollars as we know them today. Even if there had been, George probably would not have owned one and he certainly would not have thrown one away! The same man who wrote the cherry tree story wrote about George throwing a rock across the Rappahannock River (not the Potomac, which is too wide). According to the legend, George and his friends threw rocks across the river while waiting for the ferry. In George’s time, the Rappahannock River was about 300 feet wide, but George was a strong boy and probably could have done it. Other strong people have thrown a rock across the river at Ferry Farm in modern times.