Search results
First Marriage and Children. In her late teens, Martha Dandridge caught the eye of Daniel Parke Custis (1711-1757), who, though 20 years her senior, was one of the most eligible bachelors in Virginia. Daniel’s father initially opposed the marriage, because the prospective bride’s family was not as wealthy as he would have liked.
Daniel Parke Custis fell gravely ill and passed away in July of 1757. Shortly thereafter, Martha Dandridge Custis met George Washington. The Custis Children George and Martha had no children of their own, but their family life was dominated by the Custis children. Washington served as a father figure for his two step-children, John "Jacky ...
- Who Was Martha Washington?
- Background
- Marriage and Estate
- Meeting George Washington
- Nation's First First Lady
- Later Years
Martha Washington married a wealthy plantation owner before becoming a widow and inheriting his estate. She wed Colonel George Washingtonin 1759 and became the first U.S. first lady upon his eventual ascendancy to the presidency. Martha was known for her aplomb and large social events, though she actually preferred privacy. She died in Mount Vernon...
Martha Washington was born Martha Dandridge on June 2, 1731, in New Kent County, Virginia, on the Chestnut Grove plantation. She was raised and educated with an emphasis on skills seen as integral to running a household, though also taught reading, writing and mathematics.
At 18 years old, Martha wed Daniel Parke Custis, a rich plantation owner, in 1749. The couple would have four children, though only two, Jack and Patsy, lived past childhood. Custis himself died in the summer of 1757, and Martha inherited his 15,000-acre estate.
She later met Colonel George Washington at a Williamsburg, Virginia cotillion, and the two wed in 1759. Martha and her two children moved to Washington's Mount Vernon, Virginia plantation, where the family became known for their social events and upscale lifestyle, though they suffered financial setbacks as well. By 1775, Washington had become the ...
With the colonies achieving their independence and the U.S. Constitution ratified, Washington was elected to become the country's first president, having his inauguration in April 1789. Martha, who had also effectively assumed guardianship of Jack's children, took on the responsibility of arranging major social events and parties for the presidenti...
The Washingtons returned to Mount Vernon once the president's second term was up in 1797. Washington died in December 1799, with his wife subsequently closing their bedchamber and taking up residence on the third floor of their mansion. Upon taking ill in early 1802, she wrote her will and burned most of the letter correspondences between her and h...
- Martha was born on June 2, 1731, making her 8 months older than George Washington. Martha Dandridge was born on June 2, 1731, at Chestnut Grove plantation in New Kent County, Virginia, which is roughly 35 miles from the colonial capital of Williamsburg.
- Unlike most women in Virginia in the early 1700s, Martha learned to read and write. Unlike the majority of women in Virginia at this time who were not literate, Martha learned both to read and write at an early age.
- Martha grew to be about 5 feet tall. The average height for European women in early Colonial America was around 5’2”. Martha was described as a lovely and attractive woman with a lively personality.
- Martha married Daniel Parke Custis on May 15, 1750. In colonial Virginia, most women of Martha’s social class met their potential mates through friends and family, or at church, court day, or a ball held at a neighbor’s house.
May 29, 2024 · Martha Washington (born June 2, 1731, New Kent county, Virginia [U.S.]—died May 22, 1802, Mount Vernon, Virginia, U.S.) was the American first lady (1789–97), the wife of George Washington, first president of the United States and commander in chief of the colonial armies during the American Revolutionary War. She set many of the standards ...
- Betty Boyd Caroli
Dec 22, 2021 · SUMMARY. Daniel Parke Custis, a planter, is best known as Martha Dandridge Custis Washington‘s first husband. Custis found his early life constrained by his father, John Custis (1679–1749), who squelched at least two of his courtships and was reluctant to give him land. Martha Dandridge, twenty years younger than Custis, eventually won his ...
People also ask
How many children did Martha and Daniel Custis have?
Did Martha Dandridge Custis marry George Washington?
How many children did Daniel Parke Custis have?
Who was Martha Dandridge Custis Washington?
Martha Dandridge Custis Washington (June 2, 1731 O.S. – May 22, 1802) was the wife of George Washington, the first president of the United States.Although the title was not coined until after her death, she served as the inaugural first lady of the United States, defining the role of the president's wife and setting many precedents that future first ladies would observe.
