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In 1754, Daniel died, probably of malaria; Frances died in 1757. Yet in the meantime, Martha Custis had given birth to two more children who would become the center of her own life: John Parke Custis (called “Jacky”), who was born in 1754, and Martha Parke Custis (called “Patsy”), born in 1756.
Daniel Parke Custis was thirty eight years old when he fell in love with the seventeen year old Martha Dandridge and married her on May 15, 1750. During their seven years of marriage, Martha and Daniel Custis had four children.
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On May 15, 1750, Martha Dandridge married 38-year-old Daniel Parke Custis. Together they had four children. However, only two, John (called Jack) and Martha (called Patsy), survived past childhood. When her husband died in 1757, he left a large inheritance to Martha, making her wealthy—something that was less likely to be true a century later.
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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. Martha was the first of eight children born to John Dandridge and Frances Jones.
The average height for European women in early Colonial America was around 52. Martha was described as a lovely and attractive woman with a lively personality. She was generally strong-willed, though also charming, sincere, warm, and socially adept. These characteristics allowed her to overcome obstacles and forge her own path in the world.
Daniel Parke Custis, John Wollaston, oil on canvas, 1757 [U1918.1.2] Washington-Custis-Lee Collection, University Collection of Art and History, Washington & Lee University, Lexington, VirginiaIn colonial Virginia, most women of Marthas social class met their potential mates through friends and family, or at church, court day, or a ball held at a n...
Marthas first child was a son, named Daniel Parke Custis, born on November 19, 1751, followed in April 1753 by a daughter, Frances Parke Custis. Although the first names were traditional family names, the childrens great-grandfather had imposed a strict condition on inheritance: only children bearing the name Parke as part of their given name would...
Despite their socially and economically privileged lives, neither Daniel nor Frances would reach the age of five. In the colonial era, childhood was the period of greatest vulnerability to death and disease. Only about 60% of children born at this time lived to the age of 20. In 1754 Daniel died, probably of malaria; Frances died in 1757.
Martha had two other children with Daniel Parke Custis, who would become the center of her own life: John Parke Custis (Jacky), who was born in 1754, and Martha Parke Custis (Patsy), born in 1756. Patsy suffered from repeated seizures, which grew worse over time. After a particularly violent episode on June 19, 1773, Patsy died at age seventeen.
On November 5, 1781, just weeks before he turned twenty-seven, John Parke Custis, Marthas sole remaining child, contracted a virulent illness and died.
The attraction between George and Martha was mutual, powerful, and immediate. Martha was charming, attractive, and wealthy. George had his own appeal, standing over six feet two inches tall, he was an imposing figure with a formidable reputation as a military leader.
Every year she made the arduous journey to his camp, whether it was at Cambridge, Valley Forge, Philadelphia, Morristown, Newburgh, or elsewhere. She stayed with him for months at a time. In fact, during the period from April 1775 until December 1783 Martha was able to be with her husband for almost half the time he was away. The General regarded h...
Before she could make the first trip, however, Martha had to undergo her own ordeal. She had to be inoculated for smallpox, one of the most deadly enemies soldiers faced during wartime. After successfully weathering the inoculation, Martha could then travel to the soldiers camp without fear of contracting the disease or transmitting it to others.
Just as her husband realized that his actions would set a precedent for future presidents, so Martha, too, was aware that her behavior as first lady would become the template for the wives of future chief executives. One of her most important steps was to initiate a weekly reception, held on Friday evenings, for anyone who would like to attend.
Under the provisions of his will, George Washington declared that the 123 slaves that he owned outright (separate from the dower slaves that would be distributed among the Custis heirs) were to gain their freedom after his wifes death. There was a fear that these slaves could revolt and kill Martha in order to gain their freedom. Rumors circulated ...
Marthas death brought the Custis heirs even greater riches. Each of Marthas four grandchildren received substantial amounts of land and money that been held in trust for them for years. Moreover, each received a share of the so-called dower slaves, the descendants of the enslaved people once owned by Marthas first husband, Daniel Parke Custis.
In 1831, after being moved from Mount Vernons old tomb to the new tomb, Marthas remains were placed into a marble sarcophagus that stands near her husbands at Mount Vernon to this day.
Nineteen years old when she married a man who was twenty years her senior, and then 26 when she was widowed with two children, Martha Custis had considerable power through her wealth and privileged social status.
In 1754 Daniel died, probably of malaria; Frances died in 1757. Yet in the meantime Martha had given birth to two more children who would become the center of her own life: John Parke Custis (called “Jacky”), who was born in 1754, and Martha Parke Custis (called “Patsy”), born in 1756. Death of Daniel Parke Custis
Martha’s daughter Patsy had died, her son Jack at 26, but Jack’s children figured in the household. After George Washington died in 1799, Martha assured a final privacy by burning their...
