Difference between revisions of "Martha Washington"
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| − | 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 | + | 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> | ||
Revision as of 03:40, August 3, 2011
Martha Dandridge Custis Washington (June 2, 1731 - Mount Vernon, May 22, 1802) was the wife of George Washington and the first First Lady of the United States of America.
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.[1] 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.[1]
Marriage and family
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 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.[2] The couple lived in his father's Pumunkey River mansion, "White House", where Custis managed the plantation for his father.[3] 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.[4]
Colonel Custis died on July 8, 1757.[1] 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.[5]
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. [3]
Martha managed the day-to-day operations of Mount Vernon, including overseeing the staff and slaves, harvests and food preparation and storage. [1]
During the war
First Lady
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. [3]