Short Bio for Martha Dandridge Washington
Martha Washington —
America’s First Lady
1731–1802
Martha Washington (1731–1802) was the wife of
President George Washington and the first Lady of the United States of America.
Written by Randal Rust
Martha Dandridge was born on June 2, 1731, in New Kent
County, Virginia. She grew up in a traditional 18th-century household and
received an education that focused on domestic skills and academics. When she
was 18, she married Daniel Parke Custis, a wealthy plantation owner who was
significantly older than her. Together, they had four children, but two of them
died in infancy.
In 1757, Martha became a widow when Custis died, leaving her
with substantial wealth and the responsibility of caring for their two
surviving children. It was during this time that she caught the attention of a
rising military and political figure named George Washington.
Martha and George Washington were married on January 6,
1759, marking the beginning of their lifelong partnership. As George’s military
and political career progressed, Martha supported him both privately and
publicly. During the American Revolutionary War, she joined him at military
encampments such as Valley Forge, Morristown, and Newburgh.
After the war and the ratification of the United States
Constitution, George Washington was elected as the First President of the
United States. Martha, known as the First Lady, embraced her role as a gracious
hostess and supported her husband during his presidency. She lived with him in
New York City and then Philadelphia.
Following his second term as president, Martha and George
retired to Mount Vernon. Among their visitors were the Marquis de Lafayette and
Catharine Macauley.
Unfortunately, President Washington passed away in 1799,
leaving Martha a widow for the second time. She outlived her husband by a few
years and passed away on May 22, 1802, in the presence of her granddaughter.
Martha Washington is important to United States history
because of the role she played as the wife of George Washington, the first
President of the United States. During the American Revolutionary War, she
supported her husband, joining him at military encampments and helping provide
comfort to the soldiers. As the nation’s first First Lady, she established the
social customs and expectations for the position.
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