Martha Dandridge Custis Washington

Hello! My name is Martha Washington. I was born on a big farm in Virginia on June 2nd, 1731. We called our home Chestnut Grove. I loved living on the farm. I learned to ride horses, help in the garden, and sew pretty things. It was a busy and happy home.

When I grew up, I got married and had two wonderful children, a boy named Jacky and a girl named Patsy. I loved them so much. After their father passed away, I took care of them all by myself. Then, one day, I met a kind and strong man named George Washington. We fell in love and got married on January 6th, 1759. We all moved to his home, called Mount Vernon. It was a beautiful house right by a big river. We became one big, happy family.

Later, my husband George did a very important job. He became the first-ever president of our new country, the United States of America! That made me the first 'First Lady.' My job was to help George. I hosted parties and welcomed guests to our home. I wanted to make sure everyone felt like friends and helped our new country grow strong and happy. I was proud to help.

After George finished being president, we went back to our lovely home at Mount Vernon. I lived to be 70 years old. People remember me today as the very first First Lady. Sometimes they even call me the 'Mother of Our Country' because I was there to help at the very beginning. I was happy to be a part of starting something so special.