Changes

==Early life==

==Early life==

Martha Dandridge was born on June 2, 1731 to John and Frances Jones Dandridge on their plantation, Chestnut Grove in New Kent County, Virginia. She had three brothers and five sisters, as well as an illegitimate half-sister who was a slave.<ref>[http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=1 Martha Washington]</ref> Martha was taught all the usual subjects young ladies learned during the time period: music, sewing and home management. However, her later actions while managing her husbands' estates possibly show a more extensive education.<ref>[http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=1 Martha Washington]</ref>

Martha Dandridge was born on June 2, 1731 to John and Frances Jones Dandridge on their plantation, Chestnut Grove in New Kent County, Virginia. She had three brothers and five sisters, as well as an illegitimate half-sister who was a slave.<ref name="firstladies">[http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=1 Martha Washington]</ref> Martha was taught all the usual subjects young ladies learned during the time period: music, sewing and home management. However, her later actions while managing her husbands' estates possibly show a more extensive education.<ref name="firstladies"/>

==Marriage and family==

==Marriage and family==

===First marriage===

===First marriage===

Martha Dandridge married Colonel Daniel Parke Custis, a man twenty years her senior, on May 15, 1750. The couple lived in his father's Pumunkey River mansion, White House, where Custis managed the plantation for his father. <ref>[http://www.history.org/Almanack/people/bios/biomwash.cfm Martha Dandridge Custis Washington]</ref> They had four children: Daniel Parke Custis, Jr. (November 19, 1751 – February 19, 1754), Frances Parke Custis (April 12, 1753 – April 1, 1757), John "Jacky" Parke Custis (November 27, 1754 – November 5, 1781) and Martha "Patsy" Parke Custis (1756 – June 19, 1773). Colonel Custis died on July 8, 1757.<ref>[http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=1 Martha Washington]</ref>

Martha Dandridge married Colonel Daniel Parke Custis, a man twenty years her senior, on May 15, 1750. The couple lived in his father's Pumunkey River mansion, White House, where Custis managed the plantation for his father. <ref name="history">[http://www.history.org/Almanack/people/bios/biomwash.cfm Martha Dandridge Custis Washington]</ref> They had four children: Daniel Parke Custis, Jr. (November 19, 1751 – February 19, 1754), Frances Parke Custis (April 12, 1753 – April 1, 1757), John "Jacky" Parke Custis (November 27, 1754 – November 5, 1781) and Martha "Patsy" Parke Custis (1756 – June 19, 1773). Colonel Custis died on July 8, 1757. <ref name="firstladies"/>

===Second marriage===

===Second marriage===

Martha was a 26-year-old, wealthy widow with two small children when she met George Washington. They married on January 6, 1759 and moved, along with her two small children Jacky and Patsy, to [[Mount Vernon]], the plantation he had inherited from his half-brother's widow, in April of that year.<ref>[http://www.history.org/Almanack/people/bios/biomwash.cfm Martha Dandridge Custis Washington]</ref>

Martha was a 26-year-old, wealthy widow with two small children when she met George Washington. They married on January 6, 1759 and moved, along with her two small children Jacky and Patsy, to [[Mount Vernon]], the plantation he had inherited from his half-brother's widow, in April of that year. <ref name="history"/>

Martha managed the day-to-day operations of Mount Vernon, including overseeing the staff and slaves, harvests and food preparation and storage.<ref>[http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=1 Martha Washington]</ref>

Martha managed the day-to-day operations of Mount Vernon, including overseeing the staff and slaves, harvests and food preparation and storage. <ref name="firstladies"/>

==During the war==

==During the war==

==Back home at Mount Vernon==

==Back home at Mount Vernon==

The Washingtons returned to their home at Mount Vernon on March 15, 1797. George Washington died on December 14, 1799 and Martha passed away on May 22, 1802. They are both buried at Mount Vernon.<ref>[http://www.history.org/Almanack/people/bios/biomwash.cfm Martha Dandridge Custis Washington]</ref>

The Washingtons returned to their home at Mount Vernon on March 15, 1797. George Washington died on December 14, 1799 and Martha passed away on May 22, 1802. They are both buried at Mount Vernon. <ref name="history"/>

{{Clear}}

{{Clear}}

*[http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/notable/washingtonm/ Martha Washington, First Lady]

*[http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/notable/washingtonm/ Martha Washington, First Lady]

*[http://www.npg.si.edu/exh/gw/gwtry1.htm Portraits from the Presidential Years]

*[http://www.npg.si.edu/exh/gw/gwtry1.htm Portraits from the Presidential Years]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Washington, Martha}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Washington, Martha}}

[[Category:Virginia]]

[[Category:Virginia]]

[[Category: First Ladies]]

[[Category: First Ladies]]