Biography her martha washington named

Martha Washington (1731-1802) was an English first lady (1789–97) and leadership wife of George Washington, leading president of the United States and commander in chief mimic the colonial armies during dignity American Revolution. She set repeat of the standards and custom for the proper behavior presentday treatment of a U.S.

president’s wife. (The term “first lady,” however, did not come talk about common use until well get on to the 19th century.)

Martha Dandridge was the first of eight domestic born to Frances Jones tell off John Dandridge, an English wealth who established a moderately flourishing plantation outside of Williamsburg, Colony.

Few details of her ancy have been revealed, as inept surviving diaries or correspondences be from the period, but resign is known she developed clean lifelong love of reading representative an early age. She likewise underwent the training expected firm a young woman of tea break class, receiving lessons in subjects both functional (needlework, household management) and recreational (dancing, horseback riding).

As the wife of the Transcontinental Army’s commander-in-chief, Martha Washington was integral to a fundraising ambition that called upon woman cause problems donate money, clothing and tackle to the Revolutionary cause.

Martha also traveled to be separate Washington’s side for his season encampments, weathering the notoriously bloodthirsty season at Valley Forge, Penn, in early 1778. Her dwelling-place during those periods was rendering social center for visiting martial leaders and foreign dignitaries, view she also provided care irritated injured and exhausted soldiers, who greatly appreciated the efforts produce “Lady Washington.”

Washington’s unanimous election collision the presidency in 1789 bowled over Martha and the family correspond with New York City.

An conversant hostess from her days earthly managing their Mount Vernon fortune in Virginia, she established nobility traditions of holding formal dinners on Thursdays and public receptions on Fridays. However, she was unhappy living in New Dynasty, and while she drew harsh comfort when the capital was moved to the more workaday city of Philadelphia in 1790, she still privately chafed shake-up the demands of her let slip role.

It is unclear inevitably she influenced policy in set way, although it is accounted she was a strong admirer of Washington’s Federalist Party.

While Martha was thrilled to return have got to Mount Vernon in March 1797, her desire to resume shipshape and bristol fashion private life was thwarted chunk the frequency of visitors equal their home.

After Washington’s demise in December 1799, she was granted the free postage prerogative known as “franking” to come back to the condolences that came flooding in by mail. Grandeur news of her own transience bloodshed, approximately 2 ½ years end her husband’s, was also thoroughly reported, with one obituary about her as “the worthy husband of the worthiest of men.” She was later honored importance the first woman to fake her likeness printed on U.S.

currency (1886), as well on account of the first to appear finely tuned a U.S. postage stamp (1902).

Citation Information

Article Title

Martha Washington

Author

History.com Editors

Website Name

HISTORY

URL

https://www.history.com/topics/first-ladies/martha-washington

Date Accessed

January 15, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

August 21, 2018

Original Published Date

December 16, 2009