Martha Washington

She married a rich planter, Daniel Parke Custis in 1750 when she was just 18 years old. Her husband was two decades older. The couple had four children of whom only two survived childhood. Custis died in 1757.

Her second marriage was to George Washington in 1759. The couple did not have any children of their own but they raised her children from her previous marriage.

As a mother she was very unlucky as all the four of her children predeceased her. Her son John was the only one of her children who married and had issues. After her son’s death she became her grandchildren’s guardian.

She was born as the eldest daughter of John Dandridge and his wife Frances Jones. She had seven siblings and was also rumored to have two illegitimate half-siblings.

She was informally trained at home in music, sewing and household management. She also knew how to read and write, and had basic knowledge about animal husbandry and plantation management.

She married Daniel Parke Custis, a much older rich planter in 1750 when she was 18 years old. She had four children with him, of whom two died in childhood.

Her husband died in 1757 leaving her as a rich young widow. She had the full control over her dower inheritance which included properties and slaves. The skilled woman successfully ran the five plantations her husband had left her.

The young widow met Colonel George Washington who expressed an interest in marrying her. The couple was married in a grand ceremony in 1759. Together they raised Martha’s two surviving children.

She had a vast inheritance to take care of and was very skilled at managing the large staff of servants. Her husband managed the financial affairs of the plantations. The talented woman oversaw the processes of harvesting and processing of fruits and vegetables, dairy and meat products, herbs for making medicines, etc.

George was appointed the General of the American Army during the American Revolution by the Continental Congress. Martha enlisted the support of other women in the colonies and encouraged them to contribute financially and to gather supplies for the Continental Army during the bitter winter time.

She was the first First Lady of the United States and was noted for her patience, hard work, and loyalty towards her husband and country. As the wife of the very first president of the United States she set a precedent for other First Ladies to follow in future.