Biography of Martha Dandridge Custis Washington: The First First Lady
narrative Essay
844 words
Martha Washington was an amazing woman. She grew up in a slightly better than average lifestyle. Then she became a wife, mother, and then a widow. Martha also became one of the richest women in Virginia. Then she became George Washington’s wife and went on to become the first first lady. She lived to the age of seventy and managed to outlive her husband and many others. Martha Washington also was a part of the American Revolution and helped her husband throughout the war. She did all this and much more.
Martha Dandridge was born on June 2, 1731, to Frances Jones Dandridge and Colonel John Dandridge. She was the eldest of seven brothers and sisters to come. Martha was born in New Kent County, Virginia on the Chestnut Grove plantation. She grew up among other plantation families of the Tidewater region of eastern Virginia. Martha did not receive any formal education; however, she did receive the traditional education for young women of her time. This included domestic skills and the arts rather than science and math. The skills that she learned were the skills needed to run a household. Unlike other young women in her time, Martha did learn how to read and write as a child. She had several hobbies too; such as: horseback riding, sewing, and dancing.
Martha Dandridge married Daniel Parke Custis on May 15, 1750, at the age of eighteen. Daniel was supposedly twenty years older than her and he was also one of the wealthiest men in Virginia. Their first son, Daniel Parke Custis, was born on September 19, 1751. Then their daughter, Frances Parke Custis, was born in April of 1753. Martha’s son, Daniel, died in 1957; her daughter, Frances, died in 1757. Neither of them had reached the age of five. Her second son, John Parke Custis, was ...
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...play a role in the success of the war even though it may not have been directly. Martha Washington is mainly known as the wife of George Washington but she was much more than that.
Works Cited
"Martha Washington." 2013. The Biography Channel website. Nov 16 2013. .
"Martha Washington | Summary of Martha Washington: A Life." Marthawashington.us, 2013. Web. 17 Nov 2013. .
*Murray, Judith Sargent. Bonnie Hurd Smith, ed.From Gloucester to Philadelphia in 1790: Observations, Anecdotes, and Thoughts from the 18th-Century Letters of Judith Sargent Murray. Cambridge, Mass.: Judith Sargent Murray Society and Curious Traveller Press, 1998.
Sklar, Kathryn Kish. "Washington, Martha Custis." World Book Student. World Book, 2013. Web. 14 Nov. 2013.
In this essay, the author
- Describes martha washington as an amazing woman who grew up in a slightly better than average lifestyle. she became one of the richest women in virginia, became george washington’s wife and became the first first lady.
- Explains that martha dandridge was the eldest of seven brothers and sisters to come. she was born in new kent county, virginia on the chestnut grove plantation.
- Narrates how martha dandridge married daniel parke custis on may 15, 1750, at the age of eighteen. they were nicknamed "jacky" and "patsy."
- Narrates how martha dandridge custis washington's life revolved around her home and her family. she stayed with george throughout the years of the war at places like valley forge and morristown.
- Narrates how martha dandridge custis washington outlived two husbands, four children, and several relatives. she died on may 22, 1802, at the age of seventy at her home because of an illness.
- Opines that martha washington was a truly magnificent woman. she suffered much loss over her lifetime but still managed to get past it.
- Cites judith sargent murray's "martha washington | summary of martha washington: a life." the biography channel website.
Related
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- Explains that martha's day consisted of many jobs to do, from cleaning the house to delivering a baby. she also worked on her farm, and treated illnesses, coming up with her own remedies.
- Opines that martha's real job was being a midwife, which was demanding and stressful. she had no time for herself and had to leave whenever she was called on.
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