55 Facts About Martha Washington

Martha Dandridge Custis Washington was the wife of George Washington, the first president of the United States.

Martha Washington is consistently ranked in the upper half of first ladies by historians.

Martha Washington was widowed in 1757 at the age of 26, inheriting a large estate.

Martha Washington was remarried to George Washington in 1759, moving to his plantation, Mount Vernon.

Martha Washington became a symbol of the American Revolution after her husband was appointed commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, and she took on a matronly role while visiting encampments when fighting stalled each winter.

Martha Washington's only surviving child, John, died from a camp illness during the war.

Martha Washington took on the social role of the president's wife reluctantly, becoming a national celebrity in the process.

Martha Washington found this life unpleasant, feeling that she was restricted and wishing for retirement.

Martha Washington was widowed for a second time in 1799, and she died two and a half years later in 1802.

Martha Washington was the oldest daughter of John Dandridge, a Virginia planter and immigrant from England, and Frances Jones, the granddaughter of an Anglican rector.

Martha Washington had three brothers and four sisters: John, William, Bartholomew, Anna Maria "Fanny" Bassett, Frances Dandridge, Elizabeth Aylett Henley, and Mary Dandridge.

Martha Washington received a relatively high quality education for the daughter of a planter, though it was still inferior to that of her brothers.

Martha Washington took to equestrianism, at one point riding her horse up and down the stairs of her uncle's home and escaping chastisement because her father was so impressed by her skill.

Martha Washington was left with the responsibility of managing the farmland and overseeing the well-being of the slaves.

Martha Washington knitted and oversaw the making of clothes, and she became talented in curing meat in their smokehouse.

Martha Washington entertained almost daily, having visitors for dinner or for longer stays as the family became more prominent in the political and social life of Virginia.

Martha Washington's husband used her wealth to buy additional land and slaves; he more than tripled the size of Mount Vernon.

Martha Washington was highly protective of them, especially after her two previous children had died and Patsy was found to have epilepsy.

Martha Washington strongly supported her husband's role in the Patriot movement and his work to advance his beliefs in the cause.

Martha Washington stayed at Mount Vernon when he was appointed commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in 1775, overseeing the construction of new wings to their home.

Martha Washington then moved to the home of her brother-in-law so as not to be so conspicuous of a target during the American Revolutionary War.

Martha Washington joined him in Cambridge, from where he and the other Continental Army officers were operating.

Martha Washington would sew clothes for the soldiers while at camp, encouraging other officers' wives to do the same, leading to the creation of a sewing circle that contributed to the war effort.

Martha Washington accompanied her husband when operations were relocated to New York, but she was sent to Philadelphia as British forces came closer.

Each winter, Martha Washington would join her husband at his encampment while fighting was stalled, improving morale for the soldiers and for her husband personally.

Martha Washington was kept informed of the war's developments by her husband, sometimes performing clerical work for him, and she was even permitted to know military secrets.

Martha Washington became a symbol of the war effort alongside her husband as a grandmotherly figure that cared for the soldiers.

Martha Washington traveled 10 days and hundreds of miles to join her husband in Pennsylvania.

Martha Washington spent her time raising their grandchildren, constantly worried for their health after having all four of her children and many other relatives die of illness.

Martha Washington resumed hosting company at Mount Vernon, recruiting several of her nieces and other young women to assist her, as the house was overwhelmed with visitors.

Martha Washington arrived on the presidential barge, escorted by her husband, immediately establishing the president's wife as a public figure.

Martha Washington hosted many affairs of state at New York City and Philadelphia during their years as temporary capitals.

Martha Washington was tasked by her husband with the responsibility of hosting drawing room events on Fridays in which ladies were permitted to attend.

Martha Washington would remain seated during such events while the president greeted their guests.

Martha Washington was careful during these events to avoid political talk, encouraging a change of subject when it came up.

Martha Washington much preferred the Philadelphia residence, as it had a greater social life and was closer to Mount Vernon.

Martha Washington associated with Lucy Flucker Knox, wife of war secretary Henry Knox, and Abigail Adams, the second lady.

Martha Washington was forced to take control of the presidential residence at one point shortly after her husband's presidency began, forbidding guests from entering, as he was undergoing the removal of a tumor.

Martha Washington had to present the United States as a dignified nation to establish credibility among the countries of Europe, but she had to respect the spirit of democracy by refusing to present herself as a queen.

Martha Washington was aware that the precedent she set would be inherited by future presidential wives.

Martha Washington presented an image of herself as an amiable wife, but privately she complained about the restrictions placed on her life.

Martha Washington found the pageantry of the presidency to be boring and artificial.

Martha Washington was not exempt to the political attacks often levied at her husband's administration by opposition-owned newspapers.

Martha Washington feared that her husband would again be called away to lead a provisional army against France, but no such conflict took place.

Martha Washington retained an interest in the presidency after her tenure as first lady, beginning the tradition of advising her successors.

Martha Washington took offense when he became president, feeling that he did not give adequate respect to the office.

Martha Washington had anticipated her death since that of her husband.

Two and a half years after the death of her husband, Martha Washington died on May 22,1802, at the age of 70.

Just as her husband had set the precedent for the presidency, Martha Washington established what would eventually become the role of first lady.

Martha Washington was prominent in the ceremonial aspects of the presidency, assisting her husband in his role as head of state, but she had very little public involvement in his administrative role as head of government.

Martha Washington was recognized for her humility and her mild-mannered nature, to the point that her contemporaries were often taken by surprise when meeting her.

The first US postage stamp honoring an American woman honored Martha Washington, and was issued as part of the 1902 stamp series.

The third stamp to honor Martha Washington was issued in 1938, as part of the Presidential Issue series.

Martha Washington's image was featured on the one dollar silver certificate banknote beginning in 1886, making her the second woman to appear on an American banknote after Pocahontas.

Consistently, Martha Washington has been ranked in the upper-half of first ladies by historians in these surveys.