Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
Martha Dandridge Custis Washington (June 2, 1731 O.S. – May 22, 1802) was the wife of George Washington, who was the first president of the United States.Although the title was not coined until after her death, she served as the inaugural first lady of the United States, defining the role of the president's wife and setting many precedents that future first ladies observed.
No biological children together. Martha Washington had four children with Daniel Parke Custis. The two oldest (who died before her marriage to George Washington) are: Daniel Parke Custis (November 19, 1751 – February 19, 1754) Frances Parke Custis (April 12, 1753 – April 1, 1757)
Her father died on July 8, 1757, possibly from a virulent throat infection. [7] [8] George Washington began courting Martha, who had become one of the wealthiest women in Virginia, in 1758. [2] They married on January 6, 1759, [9] making Patsy, age two, and her brother John "Jacky" Parke Custis, age four, stepchildren of George Washington. [2]
In January 1759, when Custis was four years old, his mother married George Washington, who thereupon became his legal guardian and the administrator of the Custis Estate. The Washingtons raised Jacky and his younger sister Martha "Patsy" Parke Custis (1756–1773) at Mount Vernon .
When Martha died on May 22, 1802, her dower share reverted to the Custis estate. Because of Martha Washington's dower share, the estate could not be liquidated for more than 45 years. Martha's dower share was eventually divided between John Parke Custis's widow, Eleanor Calvert Custis Stuart, and their four children.
Her father was the only surviving son of Daniel Parke Custis and his widow, Martha Dandridge Custis, who married George Washington in 1759. She was also the granddaughter of Benedict Swingate Calvert , an illegitimate son of Charles Calvert, 5th Baron Baltimore , whose mother may have been a granddaughter of George I .
Get AOL Mail for FREE! Manage your email like never before with travel, photo & document views. Personalize your inbox with themes & tabs. You've Got Mail!
George Washington Parke Custis (April 30, 1781 – October 10, 1857) was an American antiquarian, author, playwright, and plantation owner. He was a veteran of the War of 1812. His father John Parke Custis served in the American Revolution with then-General George Washington, and died after the Battle of Yorktown that ended the revolution.