Washington | Martha | Mount Vernon | Military/Government

Martha Washington
1731–1802

Martha Washington by James Peale, 1796. Courtesy The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association. (see larger image & details)

Q: When did George and Martha marry?
A: Washington married Martha Dandridge Custis, a widow, on January 6, 1759.

Q: How much older was Mrs. Washington than George Washington?
A: To the best historical knowledge Martha Washington was some eight months older than George Washington.

Q: How many children did Martha Washington have?
A: Martha Washington had four children by Daniel Parke Custis, two of whom died before she married Washington.

Q: How long did Martha Washington live after the death of George Washington?
A: George Washington died on December 14, 1799, and Martha Washington died on May 22, 1802.

Q: Where are the letters which Washington wrote to Martha Washington?
A: Martha destroyed nearly all of GW's letters to her shortly before her death in 1802. Three letters, however, did survive. Two are printed in The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 1, 18 June 1775 and 23 June 1775. These letters were found by Martha Parke Custis Peter, one of Martha Washington's granddaughters, in a drawer of a small desk that she inherited from Mrs. Washington. The 18 June 1775 letter is now held at Tudor Place, home of Martha Parke Custis Peter and her husband Thomas Peter.

Q: Was Martha Washington at the headquartes at Valley Forge?
A: Yes. Martha Washington arrived at Valley Forge about February 3, 1778, and remained until June 8.

Washington | Martha | Mount Vernon | Military/Government

Questions and Answers taken from: History of the George Washington Bicentennial Celebration, Volume II, Literature Series (Washington, D.C.: George Washington Bicentennial Commission, 1932), 643-688. (unless otherwise noted)