Martha Washington, America's First First Lady

Through social media, I have reintroduced my fellow Americans to the founding fathers along with the Presidents and Vice Presidents of the United States. Starting today, I would like to introduce you to the unsung heroes of our country, the First Ladies of America. The First Ladies of America were wives and daughters who were the hostesses for their respective Presidents while serving this great nation. Many of you don’t even know their names, much less the special qualities that made them unique as First Ladies. Many never did anything political, while more recent First Ladies used their position to create awareness of social issues. I will give you a little information for each one every Friday through this blog and then post it on social media. It’s time we learn about these amazing women and their accomplishments while their President was in office. Let’s begin with Martha Washington, wife of President George Washington our first President.

 Mrs. Washington was born Martha Dandridge on June 2, 1731, making her older than her husband by 8 months. She grew to be an accomplished woman who could read and write. Most women during this time were illiterate but accomplished in other ways, such as sewing, running a household, yet they couldn’t balance the books or keep records of the house and property. Mrs. Washington was different in this aspect, she could run a plantation by herself and when she grew up she only stood five feet tall, whereas Mr. Washington was over six feet 2 inches tall. She was described by others around her to be a lovely and attractive woman with an amazing personality. She was well knowledgeable on various subjects since she was an avid reader. She was considered strong-willed and charming and someone who forged her own path in life.

Before she was Mrs. Washington, she was Married to Daniel Parke Custis to whom she married in 1750. Mr. Custis owned his own plantation called the White House near the Dandridge home. The marriage to Custis only last seven years as Mr. Custis died in July of 1757. While married, Martha had four children with Daniel Custis, unfortunately, she outlived all her children.

In 1759 Martha met George Washington at a local soiree and their mutual attraction for one another was powerful. Martha Dandridge Custis was a good catch, she was twenty-seven years old and owned over 17,500 acres and 300 slaves and she was worth 40,000 pounds at that time. George was considered a catch too and by 1758 he had resigned his military commission and on January 6^th, 1759, they were married at her home in New Kent County, Virginia.

Although he resigned from his commission as an officer in the Army, when the Revolutionary War began, he again took control of the Continental Army and was gone for six long years. During this time Martha dutifully spent time with him during winter encampments. She traveled with him to Cambridge, Philadelphia, Morristown, Newburgh, Valley Forge, and any other place he moved the camp to be. She traveled with him and comforted him for most of the time he was away. He considered Martha’s presence essential to his well-being. She also kept the other wives in line when needed.

When George Washington became President of the United States, she became the First Lady. While George laid out the protocols as to how a president should act, Martha did the same for First Ladies. She was brilliant in hosting parties and gatherings for Congressional Representatives and dignitaries visiting from abroad, along with local men and women in the local community who visited the Presidential mansion. She wasn’t political by any means, but she knew how to help her husband govern this new country and was regarded as Lady Washington, or Lady Presidentess.

Martha Washington Lived until 1802 Long after George died. After George’s death, she freed all his slaves at Mount Vernon and after her death she freed more of her own and dowered the rest to her grandchildren along with divided up her wealth and land to them all. Martha is buried at Mount Vernon next to her husband. She had a stamp created in her honor in 1902 that cost eight cents. She also had a Military ship named in her honor.  She  was an amazing woman who inspired all future first ladies to follow in her foot steps.

 

Artist and Author Elizabeth Kilbride is a former political operative, author, scriptwriter, historian, and journalist. business professional, creative artist, and life coach consultant. Ms. Kilbride holds a master’s in criminology and a BS in Business Management she stepped out of the loop for a while but is now back with a powerful opinion and voice in the direction of this country and our economy. As a life coach, she is available to counsel individuals to enjoy their dreams and a better life. Ms. Kilbride loves to travel and photograph her surroundings and is also a gourmet cook who loves to garden and preserve food for the winter months.