Martha Washington

Hello everyone, my name is Martha Washington. I was born in New Kent County, Virginia on June 2nd 1731. I have a father and a mother. I am also the eldest of my three brothers and five sisters. I am close to each and every one of them. My siblings and I were home-schooled together in our house at Chestnut Grove. Our servant, Thomas Leonard, was our teacher. Thomas taught me music, sewing, and household management. I then proceeded to learn about plantation management. My favorite subjects to learn about were music and various needlework arts. Not only that, I was very fond riding horses and dancing. Even though I was homeschooled I was able to have many friends. And as the years passed on, one of those people became more than a friend. When I was eighteen I married a man named Daniel Parke Custis. He managed a plantation that his father owned in New Kent County. Together, Daniel and I lived in a mansion on the Pumunkey River. He was always spoiling me with the finest clothes and gifts imported from England. Daniel and I had four lovely children. Two of which died young. Not much long after, Daniel became exceptionally ill and I became a widow at age 26. It was hard for me to grasp the fact that my husband had died but I pulled through with the help of family and friends. When Daniel died I was in charge of the land that he once owned. This land was filled with crops and was therefore called a plantation. Taking care of the plantation wasn’t too easy. I had to write letters to London merchants to keep the business going. In the winter of the next year, I met the man of my dreams in the Virginia Militia. His name was Colonel George Washington. He was the commander of the First Virginia Regiment in the French and Indian War. George told me that he was fond of my looks. He also said that he loved my personality and charm. So in 1759 I married him. Together, George and I lived at Mount Vernon. At Mount Vernon I was in charge of directing the slaves and servants on