Martha Dandridge Custis Washington

Hello, my name is Martha Dandridge, and I would like to share my story with you. I was born on June 2nd, 1731, in the colony of Virginia. I grew up on my family’s large farm, which was called a plantation. From a young age, I was taught all the skills needed to manage a busy household, from sewing and cooking to overseeing the work of many people. Life on the plantation was always bustling, and I learned to be organized and responsible. In 1750, when I was a young woman, I married a kind man named Daniel Parke Custis. We were very happy and were blessed with four children. But my life was also touched by great sadness. Two of our dear children passed away when they were very young. Then, in 1757, my husband Daniel also passed away. I was suddenly a young widow left to care for our two surviving children, Jacky and Patsy, and manage a very large estate all on my own. It was a difficult time, but I knew I had to be strong for my family.

My life took a wonderful new turn when I met a kind and strong gentleman from Virginia named George Washington. We felt an immediate connection and decided to build a life together. We were married on January 6th, 1759. After our wedding, my children and I moved to his beautiful home, Mount Vernon, which overlooked the Potomac River. George was a wonderful and loving stepfather to Jacky and Patsy, and our new family was very happy. I truly loved my life at Mount Vernon. My days were filled with managing our large home, welcoming guests from all over the colonies, and creating a warm and inviting place for my family and friends. It was a peaceful and fulfilling time in my life, and I treasured our quiet days together on the estate.

Our peaceful life changed completely when the American Revolutionary War began in 1775. The American colonies decided they wanted to be free from British rule, and my husband George was chosen to be the commander of the Continental Army. It was a great honor, but it meant he had to be away from home for a very long time. I knew I had a role to play, too. Every winter, when the fighting paused, I would make the long and difficult journey to be with George at the army’s camp. I wanted to bring comfort and support to him and the brave soldiers. The winter at Valley Forge in 1777-1778 was especially hard. The soldiers were cold, hungry, and needed warm clothes. I organized sewing circles with the other officers' wives, and together we mended uniforms and knitted socks. The soldiers were so grateful for our help that they began to call me 'Lady Washington.'

After many years of fighting, the war was finally won, and a new country was born: the United States of America. In 1789, the people of this new nation elected my husband, George, to be its very first president. This meant that I also had a new role, one that no woman had ever had before. People began to call me the 'First Lady.' We had to leave our beloved Mount Vernon and move to the nation’s capitals, first New York City and then to Philadelphia. My duties included hosting formal dinners, welcoming important visitors, and representing our new country alongside my husband. To be honest, I much preferred our quiet life at Mount Vernon, but I knew that supporting George and our new nation was my most important duty. I did my best to be a gracious hostess and a symbol of our young country's strength.

After George served as president, we were finally able to return to our beloved Mount Vernon in 1797. We were so happy to be home again. Sadly, our time together was short, as my dear husband George passed away in 1799. I lived to be 70 years old, passing away in 1802 at our home, where I had found so much happiness. I am remembered as America’s very first First Lady and as a strong and steady partner to the first president. I hope my story shows you the importance of family, doing your duty, and having a deep love for your country.