After the death of her first husband, Martha met another plantation owner, George Washington, at a Williamsburg, Virginia cotillion. George Washington was also a well-known army commander during the French and Indian War. He began to court Martha and the two created a very deep bond. They married at Martha's home in 1759 and Martha Washington moved her two children and her slaves to Mount Vernon, which was George Washington's famous plantation located along the Potomac River.
The Washingtons had no children of their own together. The couple spent the next sixteen years rising Martha's two children: Jack and Patsy. They lived a typical life of Virginia plantation owners. George involved himself in politics and Martha supervised her children's education and ran the plantation. Tragedy struck Martha once again when her daughter, Patsy, died in 1773 after a seizure.
Martha Washington was fiercely devoted and supportive of her husband. George Washington served as commander of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. George and Martha Washington became well-known faces and names during the Revolutionary War. For eight years, Martha traveled with him to his various military posts in the winter. At these military posts, Martha encouraged other officers' wives to help in the war effort by visiting and assisting their husbands at their military posts. In 1780, her private encouragement to military wives became public knowledge and she became the face of a public campaign to raise money to supply the troops with needed supplies.
Role as Georgge Washington's First Lady
Following the nation's success in the Revolutionary War, America became an independent nation, the constitution was ratified, and George Washington was elected to be America's first president. He was inaugurated in April 1789. Also during this time, Martha Washington adopted her two grandchildren and effectively raised them as her own. Martha's only grown child, Jack, died in the war.
Martha Washington took on her role as First Lady very reluctantly. The term "First Lady" was not used during this time. Instead, she was called "Lady Washington." She was tired of public life and felt very restricted. Martha took political attacks and criticism against her husband personally. Despite her reservations about the role as First Lady, she took responsibilities that would set precedents and standards for future First Ladies. Martha Washington had a warm and friendly personality, which balanced out her husband's shy and introverted personality. She organized social events and parties for the presidential office located in New York. She also created a friendship with Vice President John Adams' wife, Abigail. Washington also hosted weekly Friday night receptions which gave those who attended the opportunity to speak to President Washington. Also as First Lady, she kept slaves in their household and did not support their freedom. In 1790, George and Martha relocated to Philadelphia, which became the nation's next capital.
George Washington served as President of the United States for eight years before choosing to retire. He and Martha returned home to Mount Vernon. Two years later, in 1799, George Washington died. She was devastated about his death and wanted to join him in death very soon. After contracting an illness in 1802, Martha Washington wrote her will and burned most of her correspondence she kept between her and her husband. She died on May 22, 1802 surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Martha Washington was buried next to her husband in a family tomb at Mount Vernon.
