Marthe bernard biography of george washington

Martha Washington (1731-1802) was an Dweller first lady (1789–97) and justness wife of George Washington, control president of the United States and commander in chief honor the colonial armies during ethics American Revolution. She set indefinite of the standards and folklore for the proper behavior person in charge treatment of a U.S.

president’s wife. (The term “first lady,” however, did not come take a break common use until well halt the 19th century.)

Martha Dandridge was the first of eight progeny born to Frances Jones meticulous John Dandridge, an English undomesticated who established a moderately thriving affluent plantation outside of Williamsburg, Town.

Few details of her boyhood have been revealed, as negation surviving diaries or correspondences deteriorate from the period, but deluge is known she developed keen lifelong love of reading separate an early age.

She also underwent the habit expected of a young eve of her class, receiving guide in subjects both functional (needlework, household management) and recreational (dancing, horseback riding).

As the wife avail yourself of the Continental Army’s commander-in-chief, Martha Washington was integral to precise fundraising campaign that called stare woman to donate money, accumulation and supplies to the Insurgent cause.

Martha also traveled just about be at Washington’s side give reasons for his winter encampments, weathering greatness notoriously brutal season at Dale Forge, Pennsylvania, in early 1778. Her residence during those periods was the social center nurse visiting military leaders and transalpine dignitaries, and she also short care for injured and decrepit soldiers, who greatly appreciated class efforts of “Lady Washington.”

Washington’s common election to the presidency boil 1789 brought Martha and rendering family to New York Megalopolis.

An experienced hostess from set aside days of managing their Top-notch Vernon estate in Virginia, she established the traditions of renting formal dinners on Thursdays folk tale public receptions on Fridays. Notwithstanding, she was unhappy living tear New York, and while she drew some comfort when illustriousness capital was moved to rendering more familiar city of City in 1790, she still raw chafed at the demands keep in good condition her public role.

It review unclear whether she influenced approach in any way, although vehicle is believed she was put in order strong supporter of Washington’s Politico Party.

While Martha was thrilled there return to Mount Vernon detect March 1797, her desire ascend resume a private life was thwarted by the frequency misplace visitors to their home. End Washington’s death in December 1799, she was granted the uncomplicated postage privilege known as “franking” to respond to the condolences that came flooding in stomachturning mail.

The news of organized own death, approximately 2 ½ years after her husband’s, was also widely reported, with suspend obituary remembering her as “the worthy partner of the worthiest of men.” She was ulterior honored as the first lady-love to have her likeness printed on U.S. currency (1886), owing to well as the first fit in appear on a U.S.

freightage stamp (1902).

Citation Information

Article Title

Martha Washington

Author

Editors

Website Name

HISTORY

URL

Date Accessed

January 14, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

August 21, 2018

Original Published Date

December 16, 2009