In 1763 GW and several partners including Fielding Lewis and Burwell Bassett formed a company, “Adventurers for Draining the Dismal Swamp,” and the Virginia legislature empowered them to construct canals and causeways through private land without being subject to suits for damages (HENING, 8:18). The purpose of the undertaking was to harvest lumber while the swamp was draining and to farm the land once it became dry. Although GW acquired land in the area and helped to finance some draining, his interest waned after about twenty years.

In May and October 1763 GW made visits to the Dismal Swamp (see Diaries, 1:319-26).