They Eye of Providence was said to be painted over Jesus in an early depiction. It is highly likely that "some" of these people were likely trying their best with what they had available to them, look at how easy it is to distort knowledge today. They did not have the internet back then.

That being said, Jesus said that there were to be no graven images of him, no depictions as he would have known how easy it would be to manipulate the masses around an image of God. As it is written today. We cannot forget how hard they tried to keep the bible from people back then and I am sure that part of it was likely people not knowing. so, "Forgive them Father for they no not what they do" rings all to true. It isn't a far stretch to believe that it was done purposefully in order to manipulate people away from the One True God and back into servitude as well. These things I do not know, but it is kind of what it looks like. Hindsight being 20/20 and all. It is our duty as believers to forgive the sinner and despise the sin. As sin is said to act on the person and isn't a part of the person. That is one reason why baptism, rebirth, was important. The old dies and the sin that was with the old dies with it. We are instructed to sin no more, or we allow those evil spirits access to God's Temple again.

You know that Washington was into some interesting things (Federalist, ewww.), he is even depicted as baphomet in some art. Did he know? Did he commission? Was it after his time and installed as a means to manipulate? Much I do not know.