Martha Washington

Martha Dandridge, later on known as Martha Washington, was born on June 2, 1731. She lived in Chestnut Grove, Virginia. She loved to ride horses, garden, sew, play the spinet and dance. She was well education, which girl's usually were not at the time. At the age of 18 she married Daniel Custis. He was 20 years older than Martha. I think that is way to many years older if you are getting married. In 1757 Daniel died. Martha was only 26 years old when he died. When he died she had to take care of the kids, the house and the property.

Later in her life she met a man by the name of George Washington. They fell in love and married on January 6, 1759, and moved into Mt. Vernon. When their children were 8 and 6 they hired a tutor for them. Then one of Martha's kids (Pasty) became sick so their tutor moved to England, and Martha's other child (Jacky) was sent away to school.

George soon became Commander of the Continental Army. Then the Revolutionary War started. It was a long war but it ended on November 25, 1783. On Christmas Eve, George rode on horseback to Mt. Vernon. In 1789 George became President. George was elected for a second term.

March 4, 1797 George retired and returned home. George became sick and died in on December 14, 1799. Martha was very sad and died later in 1802. She was a good first lady, not to mention she was the first one so I hope you liked my report.

image courtesy of the Library of Congress

For more information:
http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/served/martha.html
http://www.whitehouse.gov/WH/glimpse/firstladies/html/mw1.html
http://www.history.org/people/bios/biomwash.htm

2000, by Kim, fourth grade

BACK