Martha Washington
 Did
you know that Martha Washington was married to George Washington? That's how she got her
last name.
When George was at war she would live at her husband's headquarters which was at
Cambridge, Massachusetts. In the winter she would knit socks for the soldiers and mend
their clothing. Martha was seen walking daily feeding the wounded and sick.
Fascinating
Fact
When she was 18 she married a 38 year-old man. |
Did you know that at the age of eighteen, Martha was married to Daniel
Parke Custis? She thought he was rich and handsome. He was also 20 years older than her.
Later in their life they had 3 children. A couple years Daniel died. After his death
Martha got married to George Washington. Martha and George got married on January 6, 1759.
They lived good at first, but then they had bad crops. They continued their style but this
did not help their bank account.
George Washington soon became the commander-in-chief the army in 1775. Sometimes his
kids had to travel two weeks to be with him for Christmas. Martha stayed with George until
1776, but then she had to return home. Martha wouldn't get to see George again till 1777.
The war ended on November 25, 1783. Martha was overjoyed when she saw George again.
Martha was born on June 21, 1731 and died May 22,1802. Her granddaughter, Nelly, was
sitting right next to her. Martha was buried with her husband George who died December 14,
1799 at Mount Vernon. George Washington once said that a wife should have" good
sense, a good disposition, a reputation, and financial means." He found all those in
Martha.
By: Brenna
Sources:
The American Revolution By: Edward F. Dolan
"Biography of Martha Washington" The White House Dec. 2002 <http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/firstladies/mw1.html>
"Who Served Here? Martha Washington" Historic Valley Forge Dec.
2002 <http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/served/martha.html>
Links:
Martha Dandridge Custis Washington
http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/Almanack/people/bios/biomwash.cfm
George and Martha Washington: Portraits from Presidential Years
http://www.npg.si.edu/exh/gw/gwtry1.htm
Martha Washington Died
http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/nation/jb_nation_martha_1.html
|
