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Martha was very involved in the day-to-day operations of Mount Vernon, including overseeing the staff and slaves, harvests and food preparation and storage.<ref name="firstladies"/> She and Washington had no children of their own, but he was an affectionate and attentive stepfather to Jacky and Patsy, and he managed the Custis estate carefully for them.
Martha was very involved in the day-to-day operations of Mount Vernon, including overseeing the staff and slaves, harvests and food preparation and storage.<ref name="firstladies"/> She and Washington had no children of their own, but he was an affectionate and attentive stepfather to Jacky and Patsy, and he managed the Custis estate carefully for them.
Due to their social prominence, the Washingtons entertained a large number of visitors and overnight guests at Mount Vernon. Martha was known as a warm and thoughtful hostess, who provided a welcoming setting for their company. After-dinner entertainment often consisted of her children playing various musical instruments, dancing and cards (for the gentlemen).<ref>[http://marthawashington.us/exhibits/show/martha-washington--a-life/life-at-mt--vernon-before-the-/page-3 Sociability]</ref>
Patsy Custis began having seizures around age 12, which grew steadily worse. Doctors were unable to treat her condition, and she died at 17 after a seizure on June 19, 1773.<ref name="family life">[http://marthawashington.us/exhibits/show/martha-washington--a-life/life-at-mt--vernon-before-the-/family-life Family life]</ref>
Patsy Custis began having seizures around age 12, which grew steadily worse. Doctors were unable to treat her condition, and she died at 17 after a seizure on June 19, 1773.<ref name="family life">[http://marthawashington.us/exhibits/show/martha-washington--a-life/life-at-mt--vernon-before-the-/family-life Family life]</ref>
Jacky did not excell at school. To prepare him for college, he was sent to a boarding school in 1768, where he met a young lady named Eleanor Calvert. The young couple became engaged, but Washington insisted on college before marriage. Jacky went to Kings College (now Columbia University), but soon returned home to marry the 16-year-old Eleanor on February 3, 1774.<ref name="family life"/>
Jacky did not excel at school. To prepare him for college, he was sent to a boarding school in 1768, where he became interested in a young lady named Eleanor Calvert. The young couple became engaged, but Washington insisted on college before marriage. Jacky went to Kings College (now Columbia University), but soon returned home to marry the 16-year-old Eleanor on February 3, 1774.<ref name="family life"/>
During their marriage, Jacky and Eleanor split their time between Mount Vernon and Eleanor's family's home, Mount Airy, in [[Maryland]]. They had four children before Jacky's death on November 5, 1781<ref name="family life"/> of "camp fever". Jacky had joined Washington the month before at the siege at Yorktown as a civilian aide.<ref>[http://marthawashington.us/exhibits/show/martha-washington--a-life/the-war-for-independence/patriotic_cause Patriotic cause]</ref>
During their marriage, Jacky and Eleanor split their time between Mount Vernon and Eleanor's family's home, Mount Airy, in [[Maryland]]. They had four children before Jacky's death on November 5, 1781<ref name="family life"/> of "camp fever". Jacky had joined Washington the month before at the siege at Yorktown as a civilian aide.<ref>[http://marthawashington.us/exhibits/show/martha-washington--a-life/the-war-for-independence/patriotic_cause Patriotic cause]</ref>