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Martha is born
Martha was born on June 2, 1731 at Chestnut Grove Plantation in New Kent County, Virginia. She was the first of eight children born to John Dandridge and France Jones. She had three brothers and five sisters. -
First Marriage
Martha met her first husband, Daniel Parke Custis at their local Anglican Church. He began courting Martha when he was in his late thirties, and she was in her late teens. -
Martha Gave Birth to Her First Two Children
Martha's first child was a son named Daniel Parke Custis on November 19, 1751, follow by her first daughter named Frances Parke Custis in April of 1753. -
Martha Has Two More Children
Martha had two other children with Daniel Parke Custis, who would then become the center of her life. John ("Jacky") Parke Custis who was born in 1754, and then Martha ("Patsy") Parke Custis who was born in 1756. -
Daniel Parke Custis Died
Daniel passed on July 8th, 1757 from what is said as a heart attack. He is buried in the graveyard of the Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg, Virginia. He is buried next to his two children that he had with his previous wife. -
Martha's Two Children Die
Despite the distinguishes lineage, neither Daniel or Frances would live past the age of five. In the colonial era, childhood was the greatest time of vulnerability towards death and disease. Only about 60% of children during this time would live to be 20. -
Second Marriage
The attraction between George and Martha was almost immediate. Less than ten months after their initial meeting and less than eighteen months after her previous husband's death, Martha Dandridge Custis married George Washington at her home in New Kent County -
Martha's Two other Children Die
On June 19, 1773, Patsy died at age seventeen. Throughout her life she had struggled from repeated seizures, and they got increasingly worse as she got older. Weeks before John was to turn twenty- seven, he was caught with a severe illness and died on November 5, 1781. John was Martha's last child -
Martha Was the Nation's First Lady
Just as her husband realized his actions would set a precedent for future Presidents, Martha also knew that her behavior as the First Lady would set an example for the future ones to come. Her most important step was to initiate a weekly reception, every Friday night, for anyone to attend. -
Martha Freed All Slaves George Owned
George had declared that all 123 of the slaves he owned were to gain their freedom after the death of his wife, Martha. But after the death of George, there was a fear that the slaves would revolt and kill Martha for their freedom. So a year after the death of George, all of his slaves had gained their freedom. -
Martha's Death
Martha's health began to dramatically decline around two and a half years after the death of George. Her death brought even more money to the Custis heirs. Each of Martha's four grandchildren received heaping amounts of money and land, and each received a share of the "dower slaves". -
First American Woman To Be On A U.S Postage Stamp
Martha was the first American woman to ever be on a U.S. postage stamp. The first stamp was released of her in 1902. Another stamp was released in 1923. The third stamp was released in 1938 in honor of Martha Washington.
