Martha Washington

Who was Martha Washington?

Martha Dandridge Custis Washington was the wife of George Washington, the first president of the United States. Although the title was not coined until after her death, Martha Washington is considered to be the first First Lady of the United States. During her lifetime she was known as "Lady Washington."

Widowed at 25, Custis had had four children with her late husband; two survived to young adulthood. She brought great wealth to her second marriage with Washington, which enabled him to buy much land and many slaves to add to his personal estate. She also brought nearly 100 "dower slaves" for her use during her lifetime; they and their descendants reverted to her late husband's estate at her death and were inherited by their heirs. She and Washington did not have children but they reared two children of her late husband, including son John Custis, who died during the Revolutionary War, as well as helping both of their extended families.