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Martha Washington. 1778 at Valley Forge. Who is this woman?. Martha Danridge. Born in 1731 to Frances and John I was the oldest of 8 children Mother taught me to read and do household chores Horseback, dance, sew, and other social pleasantries I was a bad speller
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Martha Washington 1778 at Valley Forge
Martha Danridge • Born in 1731 to Frances and John • I was the oldest of 8 children • Mother taught me to read and do household chores • Horseback, dance, sew, and other social pleasantries • I was a bad speller • My father was in the House of Burgesses • (Mount Vernon Website)
Daniel Parke Custis • Wealthy plantation owner • Tobacco • White House Plantation • Married in 1750 • We had four children • He was 39 I was 19 when we married • (Mount Vernon Website)
Poor Daniel….. • Daniel was 20 years older than me and died at the age of 46 after he suffocated due to a throat condition. (Brady, 25) • I ran the tobacco farm • I had four children with Daniel: Daniel, Frances, Jacky and Patsy • Daniel nor Frances would reach the age of five. In the colonial era, childhood was the period of greatest vulnerability to death and disease. Only about 60% of children born at this time lived to the age of 20. In 1754 Daniel died, probably of malaria; Frances died in 1757. • John Parke Custis (“Jacky”), who was born in 1754, and Martha Parke Custis (“Patsy”), born in 1756. Patsy suffered from repeated seizures, which grew worse over time. After a particularly violent episode on June 19, 1773, Patsy died at age seventeen. • (Mount Vernon Website)
Marriage to george • I met George the strapping 6 foot 2 lad in Williamsburg, Virginia and we began our courtship. He had been in several battles and was a striking character. I saw great potential in George. Since I was a femme sole I was not interested in marrying for money; this time I married for love. • I married George on January 6, 1759. The marriage changed George from an ordinary planter to a substantially wealthy landowner. He had resigned his commission in the militia and so, George, Martha, Jacky (4), and Patsy (2) moved into the enlarged and remodeled Mt. Vernon. • I always refer to George as the General. • (Mount Vernon Website)
Role as a patriot • In 1775 after the battles of Lexington, Concord George was appointed Commander in Chief. • On December 19, 1777 George arrived at Valley Forge to oversee 12,000 soldiers between 18 and 24 years old. • Prior to going to Valley Forge I had to be inoculated for Smallpox. I arrived at camp on February 10, 1778. • George will leave camp on June 18, 1778 to go to the battle of Monmouth, New Jersey • As the wife of the Commander-in-Chief, Martha had more responsibility than the other wives. I was the General’s sounding board and closest confidant. I acted as his secretary and representative, copying letters and representing him at official functions. I comforted sick or wounded soldiers and sponsored social activities that brightened the darkness of the long winter days. My presence not only fortified her husband but helped boost the morale of the entire camp. • (Brady, 18)
Letter from George to me http://marthawashington.us/items/show/87
Presidential home in Philadelphiahttp://www.ushistory.org/presidentshouse/history/briefhistory.htm
