First Lady of the United States
1789-1797
Martha Washington
(1731-1802)
Martha Dandridge Custis Washington was the wife of George Washington, the first president of the United States. Although the title was not coined until after her death, she served as the inaugural first lady of the United States, defining the role of the president's wife and setting many precedents that future first ladies would observe.
BORN:
New Kent County, Virginia
Jun 2, 1731
As the oldest of eight, including one sister that was 25 years her junior, Martha played a maternal and domestic role beginning early in life. Her father was well-connected with the Virginia aristocracy despite his relative lack of wealth.. Martha Dandridge married Daniel Parke Custis on May 15, 1750, and the couple had four children, only one of whom survived to adulthood. She was widowed in 1757 at the age of 26, inheriting a large estate. She was remarried to George Washington in 1759, moving to his plantation, Mount Vernon. Her youngest daughter died of epilepsy in 1773, and the Washingtons were unable to conceive any children of their own.
Washington became a symbol of the American Revolution after her husband was appointed commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, and she took on a matronly role while visiting encampments when fighting stalled each winter. Her only surviving child, John, died from a camp illness during the war. After the war ended in 1783, Washington sought retirement at Mount Vernon, but she was returned to public life when her husband became president of the United States in 1789.
Washington took on the social role of the president's wife reluctantly, becoming a national celebrity in the process. She found this life unpleasant, feeling that she was restricted and wishing for retirement. In addition to hosting weekly social events, Washington understood that how she composed herself would reflect on the nation, both domestically and abroad. As such, she struck a careful balance between the dignity associated with a head of state's wife and the humility associated with republican government.
The Washingtons returned to Mount Vernon in 1797, and she spent her retirement years greeting admirers and advising her successors. She was widowed for a second time in 1799, and she died two and a half years later in 1802.
DIED:
New Kent County, Virginia
May 22, 1802
Martha Washington
was here...
Places | Image | Address | GPS | Site |
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George Washington's Mount Vernon | 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy, Mt Vernon, VA 22121 | MUSEUM | ||
Colonial Williamsburg | 101 Visitor Center Dr, Williamsburg, VA 23185 | MUSEUM | ||
Longfellow House - Washington's Headquarters | 105 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138 | MUSEUM | ||
Ferry Farm | 268 Kings Highway, Fredericksburg, VA | MUSEUM | ||
Kenmore | 1201 Washington Ave, Fredericksburg, VA | MUSEUM | ||
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum | 105 South Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA | MUSEUM | ||
St Peters Parish Church | 8400 St Peters Ln, New Kent, VA | MUSEUM | ||
Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop | 1020 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA | MUSEUM | ||
Bruton Parish Church | 201 W Duke of Gloucester St, Williamsburg, VA 23185 | MUSEUM | ||
Raleigh Tavern | E Duke of Gloucester St, Williamsburg, VA 23185 | MUSEUM | ||
First Presidential Mansion Marker | PX5X+Q9V New York | MARKER | ||
President's House Site | 6th St &, Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 | MARKER | ||
Stephen Moore House Marker | C23M+C92 West Point, New York | MARKER | ||
Lt and Mrs Robert Wilson House Marker | 184 Main St, Hackettstown, NJ 07840 | MARKER | ||
Belvoir Marker | 202 Belvoir Rd, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060 | MARKER | ||
Melwood Park Marker | 11001 Old Marlboro Pike, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 | MARKER | ||
Eltham Location | 8241 Curle Drive, West Point, VA | NONE | ||
Eltham Marker | 1860 Eltham Rd, West Point, VA | MARKER | ||
Custis White House Site | 11850 White House Rd, New Kent, VA | NONE | ||
Mount Lubentia Marker | 603 Largo Rd, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 | MARKER | ||
Carters Grove | 8797 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, VA | MARKER | ||
Poplar Grove Site | 11801 White House Road, New Kent, VA | NONE | ||
Claiborne's Ferry Site | 9960 Old Sweet Hall Ferry Crossing, Lanexa, VA | NONE | ||
Custis White House Marker | 7401 New Kent Highway, New Kent, VA | MARKER | ||
Prince George's Parish Marker | 9801 Livingston Rd, Fort Washington, MD 20744 | MARKER | ||
Richmond Hill Marker | 161 6th Ave, New York, NY 10013 | MARKER |