Presidential Biographies | Washington Administrations - Family Life

Family Life

On January 6, 1759, Washington married Martha Dandridge Custis, the wealthy widow of a prominent Virginia planter. Although the marriage was not a love match, it was based on affection, devotion, and respect. Martha Washington was by all accounts an efficient mistress of Mount Vernon. She also proved to be a social asset, serving as a gracious hostess to notables in the world of business and politics. This was no small matter given Washington's extensive involvement in Virginia's elite society. In the years prior to the American Revolution (1775–83), Martha Washington entertained as many as three hundred guests a year at Mount Vernon. Even more important to Washington were Martha Washington's children, John Parke ("Jacky") and Martha Parke ("Patsy") Custis, who were six-years-old and four-years-old, respectively, at the time of the marriage. Washington, who remained childless throughout life, treated Martha Washington's...