In a word, Weems was an approved myth-maker.

No better example can be given than the way in which he described himself.

It is believed that he preached once, and possibly oftener, to a congregation which numbered Washington among its members.

Thereupon he published himself in his book as the rector of Mount Vernon parish.
There was, to begin with, no such parish.

There was Truro parish, in which was a church called indifferently Pohick or Mount Vernon church.
Of this church Washington was a vestryman until 1785, when he joined the church at Alexandria.