Changes

==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. Custis was the heir of one of the richest men in Virginia. His father, John Custis IV, initially refused to sanction the marriage, and threatened to disinherit his son, on the grounds that Martha's family was neither wealthy enough nor of high enough social standing. Friends interviened on their behalf, and Martha acted as well, arranging a meeting with the elder Custis. After this meeting, Custis declared her "beautifull & sweet temper’d" and permitted the marriage to take place.<ref>[Courtship of Daniel Parke Custis and Martha Dandridge]</ref> 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). A stipulation in John Custis's will required that in order to inherit part of the estate, any children had to have "Parke" included in their name.<ref>[http://marthawashington.us/exhibits/show/martha-washington--a-life/the-custis-years/first-marriage-and-children First marriage and children]</ref>

Martha Dandridge married Colonel Daniel Parke Custis, a man twenty years her senior, on May 15, 1750. Custis was the heir of one of the richest men in Virginia. His father, John Custis IV, initially refused to sanction the marriage, and threatened to disinherit his son, on the grounds that Martha's family was neither wealthy enough nor of high enough social standing. Friends intervened on their behalf, and Martha acted as well, arranging a meeting with the elder Custis. After this meeting, Custis declared her "beautifull & sweet temper’d" and permitted the marriage to take place.<ref>[http://marthawashington.us/exhibits/show/martha-washington--a-life/early-life/page-3 Courtship of Daniel Parke Custis and Martha Dandridge]</ref> 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). A stipulation in John Custis's will required that in order to inherit part of the estate, any children had to have "Parke" included in their name.<ref>[http://marthawashington.us/exhibits/show/martha-washington--a-life/the-custis-years/first-marriage-and-children First marriage and children]</ref>

Colonel Custis died on July 8, 1757.<ref name="firstladies"/> Martha assumed management of the estate, which consisted of thousands of acres of land, as well as nearly 300 slaves. She received a "widow's portion", consisting of one-third of the estate, which was hers to use during her lifetime. The remaining two-thirds was to be divided between their children after reaching adulthood.<ref>[http://marthawashington.us/exhibits/show/martha-washington--a-life/the-custis-years/death-and-widowhood Death and widowhood]</ref>

Colonel Custis died on July 8, 1757.<ref name="firstladies"/> Martha assumed management of the estate, which consisted of thousands of acres of land, as well as nearly 300 slaves. She received a "widow's portion", consisting of one-third of the estate, which was hers to use during her lifetime. The remaining two-thirds was to be divided between their children after reaching adulthood.<ref>[http://marthawashington.us/exhibits/show/martha-washington--a-life/the-custis-years/death-and-widowhood Death and widowhood]</ref>