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Daniel Parke Custis (October 15, 1711 – July 8, 1757) was an American planter and politician who was the first husband of Martha Dandridge. After his death, his widow, Martha Dandridge Custis married George Washington, who later became the first president of the United States.
Dec 22, 2021 · 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.
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 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.
Daniel Parke Custis, a wealthy planter, poses in 1757 for the well-known portraitist John Wollaston. The artist also painted the other members of the Custis family: Custiss wife, Martha Dandridge Custis, and the Custiss two surviving children, John Parke (Jacky) and Martha Parke (Patsy) Custis.
Just a few months after their daughter Frances had died, Daniel Parke Custis suddenly became ill. Although Martha summoned the best physicians money could buy, her husband died on July 8, 1757. By all accounts, their seven-year marriage had been a happy one.
Scope and Contents William Byrd writes to his brother-in-law John Custis, enclosing a will of their father-in-law Daniel Parke (dated 1710 December 7) regarding inheritance to their wives Frances and Lucy, daughters of Daniel Parke. Autograph document signed, 3 pages.
