Research Paper On Martha Washington

Martha Washington Throughout the past, there have been many heroes and heroines. Although they don’t all wear a cape, mask, and have superpowers; they all did something and they all have a story. Martha Washington is one of the many that stood out to me, and her story started June 22, 1731. Frances and John Dandridge were thrilled to welcome their first born child that summer day in New Kent County, Virginia. Martha was a very intelligent young lady, and one of the few women in her time who learned to read and write. Not only was she smart, she had a lot of leadership skills which was helpful because she was the oldest of ten children. She only grew to about five feet tall and had dark brown hair. In her youth, she enjoyed music, sewing,

Never dealing with sick soldiers, laundry, or food, Martha and other wives started “social events”. They were used as a distraction from the war and to lift the soldier’s spirits. They organized balls and dinner parties. Alexander Hamilton met his future wife at one of the social events. Prussian General von Steuben declared that her arrival “inspired fortitude”. (General von Steuben, 1775)

In 1777 Martha and George were reunited with each other in Morrison, New Jersey, during the war. “Mrs. Washington is excessive fond of the General and he of her. They are very happy in each other,” was what Nathanael Greene described in a letter to his wife. It also included how it is not very common for a couple be this fond of each other after twenty years of marriage and that George was very affectionate in private.

Jacky, Martha’s oldest and still surviving child, got engaged to Eleanor Calvert. Patsy died in 1777 from a seizure, though she started getting them at a very young age. Together before Jacky died, they had four children. Eleanor “Nellie” Parke Custis and George Washington Parke Custis moved in with Martha and George soon after Jacky's death in 1781. Elizabeth and Martha, the two oldest of the four, moved away with their

Washington was elected President in 1789. The original plan was to retire from public service, but he was the best fit for leading the new nation. Martha reacted how anyone would, at first a little skeptical, but in the end understanding and supportive. She wrote to her nephew John Dandridge saying, “When, or whether he will ever come home again God only knows. I think it was much too late for him to go into public life again, but it was not to be avoided…Our family will be deranged, as I must soon follow him.” (Martha Washington)

The actual “First Lady” would have been Martha, but the name had not been created yet. She stood by her husband’s side the entire time, and stated in a letter that public life was “dull life”. She had also written a letter saying,“no, God forbid, for everybody and everything conspire to make me as contented as possible in it.”...“the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our disposition.” (Martha Washington, 1789)

After George finished two terms he returned home to Mt. Vernon. Two years later, he passed away in his bed. Martha said with unconditional love for him, “Tis well...All is over. I shall soon follow him! I have no more trials to pass