First Lady 1789–1797 · Wife of George Washington
Martha Dandridge had married young to much-older Daniel Parke Custis. Custis died after only eight years of marriage, leaving his wife with two young children. Martha Custis was a 25 year old widow when friends introduced her to then-Colonel George Washington. Though they had no children of their ow President George Washington →
Martha Dandridge had married young to much-older Daniel Parke Custis. Custis died after only eight years of marriage, leaving his wife with two young children. Martha Custis was a 25 year old widow when friends introduced her to then-Colonel George Washington. Though they had no children of their own, Washington adopted his wife's children, Jack and Patsy. After the death of Jack, the Washingtons adopted two of his children.
Both the President and the First Lady looked forward to their 'retirement' at the conclusion of Washington's two presidential terms. She is reported to have said that upon their return to Mount Vernon, they both felt "like children just released from school".
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