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| Affiliation | Federalist |
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| Name | Martha Washington |
| Address |
Mount Vernon, Virginia , United States |
| Email | None |
| Website | None |
| Born |
June 21, 1731
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| Died | May 22, 1802
(70 years)
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| Contributor | Thomas Walker |
| Last Modifed | Chronicler
Dec 15, 2022 06:13am |
| Tags |
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| Info | Born: June 21, 1731 New Kent County, Virginia
Died: May 22, 1802 Mt. Vernon, Virginia
Father: Colonel John Dandridge, planter
Mother: Frances Jones Dandridge
Ancestry: English
Siblings: Eldest child and daughter of eight children
Physical Description: Very petite, with olive skin, brown eyes and dark brown (almost black) hair. As a young woman, she was considered very attractive, although somewhat plump. Later in life, her hair turned snow white. Abigail Adams commented on her beautiful teeth. She had a natural air of modesty and gentility. She had a ladylike manner. Martha was instantly respected and held in esteem. She always dressed well and in the latest fashion. Prior to the Revolutionary War, her clothes were London made.
Religion: Episcopalian
Education: Martha Dandridge, like many of the girls of her class and station, was educated in only the barest essentials. She was very self-conscious of this lack of formal education later in life, particularly of her lack of spelling and punctuation skills. Martha was taught what was considered important: dress, deportment, music, dancing and culinary skills. Martha?s family, although considered well to do in land holdings, did not have the wealth to give Martha a dowry that would attract a wealthy husband. Therefore, her parents felt that it was more important that Martha learn fashionable charms that would attract a suitable husband, rather than spend her time learning mathematics, logic or even grammar. At seventeen, she met her future husband, Daniel Parke Custis, who was about twenty years older. Daniel?s father was opposed to a marriage with the relatively poor Martha Dandridge, but Daniel was determined.
First Husband: Daniel Parke Custis (1711 ? 1757)
Courtship and First Marriage: Married in her father?s home in 1750, Martha set up housekeeping at the Custis? plantation called ?The White House?. Daniel Parke Custis was probably one of the wealthiest men in Virginia, which gave Martha entré¥ into a world of wealth and position. His death in 1757 left Martha extremely wealthy. However, she had no experience managing her own affairs, especially a large estate and found herself overwhelmed.
Age at First Marriage: 19 years
Children:
1. Daniel Parke Custis (1751 ? 1754)
2. Frances Parke Custis (1753 ? 1757)
3. John Parke Custis ? called ?Jack? (1754 ? 1781) *
4. Martha Parke Custis (1756 ? 1773 ? had epilepsy)
*The Washingtons raised the son of John Parke Custis, along with his sister. His name was George Washington Parke Custis, and he was the father of Mary Ann Randolph Custis, who married Robert E. Lee.
Second Husband: George Washington (1732 ? 1799)
Courtship and Second Marriage: Colonel George Washington, who was several months younger than Martha, came from a fine family but had little money. George and Martha met during the social season in Williamsburg. After a quick courtship, they decided to marry. It was considered a marriage of convenience, particularly for George, who had only a house he was renting from his brother?s widow to offer. With Martha?s wealth, George planned to enlarge the house, called Mt. Vernon. Although the union didn?t seem to be a romance, particularly with all that had been written about George?s great love Sally Fairfax, the Washingtons entered marriage with respect and honor. The marriage took place on January 6, 1759 at Martha?s plantation, the ?White House?.
Age at Marriage: 27 years, 199 days
Personality: A calm, serene lady with a sweet smile and manner that hid a quick temper. Though not prone to hasty gestures, this temper could flare up quickly. She learned early to control her temper, but she could assert herself very quietly but firmly. She managed Mt. Vernon well during Washington?s frequent absences. She was acutely aware of her poor education and often had her secretary write out replied, which she would then copy over. Always religious, she grew more so later in life. She was an accomplished horsewoman and rode most of her life. She was also known for her love of music and had a clear singing voice. She also played the harpsichord.
Years Before the White House: Martha was the model plantation owner?s wife. She was the cook, seamstress, doctor and priest. She saw to the needs of both her own family and to those of the slaves on her plantation, whom she also considered part of her family. Although she was initially overwhelmed with her duties as a young widow, she grew to become a secure and assertive woman. She was a warm and loving wife and an overly indulgent mother. ?Jack? Custis grew up spoiled and pampered, and Martha ?Patsy? Custis? early death in 1773 nearly broke her mother?s heart. During the American Revolution, Martha did not see George for long periods of time. The few letters that have survived are testaments to the deep love and commitment that grew between the couple. During the months that the army stayed in winter quarters, Martha would go to the camp and stay with her husband. She stayed in the camps at both Valley Forge and Morristown consoling the troops, sewing, rolling bandages, and organizing the women?s efforts. In the spring, Martha would return home to Mt. Vernon. The death of ?Jack? Custis after the battle of Yorktown was a devastating loss. But the Washingtons took Jack?s younger children, Eleanor and George, under their care. Their retirement to Mt. Vernon in 1783 brought changes to the plantation and peace to Martha. Her peace was short lived, however, when Washington was elected president in 1788.
First Lady (1789 ? 1797): Martha did not accompany George Washington to his inauguration, which occurred on April 30, 1789 in New York City, because they didn?t have available funds. She stayed behind to close up Mount Vernon and joined her husband on May 28, 1789. On her trip to New York, she was amazed at how curious the public and the press were regarding her appearance, her manner, her clothes and her coach ? nothing escaped their notice. From the start, the role of the President?s wife was of interest. Martha would, in time, find the attention and interest burdensome. After enrolling her grandchildren in school, she set up housekeeping. Her days were taken up with official duties. Friday evenings were set aside for entertaining; Martha would remain seated and Washington would stand beside her. On Thursday evenings, there were state dinners for the cabinet and foreign guests. Martha did not agree with the President?s edict that they would accept no outside calls. She disliked having politics dictate her acceptance of parties and receptions. Martha was of a charitable nature and enjoyed people; she resisted the idea of political parties. Therefore, when criticism arose about her ?royal? levees and the President?s regal bearing, she became resentful. Like later First Ladies, Lady Washington resented having so much of her private quarters taken up by government people and the President?s staff. The house wasn?t large enough to hold public staff and keep their private life separate. In deciding the tone of her public ?persona? and her official lines, she took great care to listen to Abigail Adams, who had had extensive experience with the Courts of George III and Louis XVI. Martha?s middle line of realness, mixed with a charming modesty, helped to create the correct style ?for a new nation?. The capitol was moved to Philadelphia in 1790. The Washingtons rented the Morris house on High Street, where Washington made improvements out of his own pocket. At a time when our nation was being torn apart by foes of monarchy and foes of republicanism, Lady Washington?s manner of hostessing found few critics. She met the challenge with great humor and forbearance. In 1793, Philadelphia was hit by a terrible yellow fever epidemic, and even the presidential couple had to flee to Germantown. The last years of Washington?s administration were fraught with internal political distention and external threats from Europe. Both Washingtons were glad to leave public office.
Last Years: Brief though they were, Lady Washington enjoyed the years at home in Mt. Vernon. She had her husband to herself, something she had longed for for years. Except for minor problems, they were left alone to enjoy the twilight of their years. When George Washington died of pneumonia on December 14, 1799, Martha said that she would follow him soon.
Death: May 22, 1802 at Mount Vernon
Age at death: 70 years 355 days
Burial: The Washington Vault, Mt. Vernon
Legacy: Her virtues of modesty, good humor, common sense, and breeding ensured that Martha?s contributions to the role of first lady were solid ones. With her own good sense and Abigail Adams? invaluable advice, the first attempts at national receptions were regal enough to please the ambassadors of royal courts and unpretentious enough to please the nations of our own shore. That this difficult task was achieved was no small measure of the sterling character of our first First Lady
First Appeared on a United States Postage Stamp in 1902.
Vote totals for elections in which was nominated for the Hall of Fame for Great Americans (1900-1965): 1900-14, 1905-32, 1910-43, 1915-35, 1920-38, 1930-7, 1955-0.
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