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Martha Dandridge Custis Washington Named "Lady Washington"
 * The Fisrt Lady of America**
 * Notes:**
 * [|Project: Glog]**
 * Who was the First Lady of America?**


 * Family:**
 * June 2, 1731
 * Chestnut Grove Plantation, New Kent County, Virginia
 * Eldest; 3 brothers & 5 sisters
 * Father: John Dandridge
 * Mother: Frances Jones
 * Education:**
 * Informal
 * Trained at home in music, sewing, household management
 * Knowledge of plantation management, crop sales homeopathic medicine, animal husbandry
 * Probably taught by indentured servant-Thomas Leonard
 * Regularly tutored for about 5 yrs. until 12 or 13 at Poplar Grove Plantation

First:
 * Marriage**
 * Married to Daniel Parke Custis at the age of 19 (1750)
 * Widowed at 26 with 2 children
 * Considerable power through wealth & privellaged social status
 * Children: Daniel Parke Custis (1751–1754), Frances Parke Custis (1753–1757), John Parke "Jacky" Custis (1754–1781), Martha Parke "Patsy" Custis (1756–1773)

Second:
 * Married to George Washington at age of 27 ( January 6, 1759)
 * Married at White house
 * Lived at Mount Vernon
 * No children
 * Not sure about relationship b/c she burned all the letters right before her death
 * Evidence of great mutal care & affection though


 * Inauguration:**
 * Unable to attend first ceremony
 * Attended second ceremoney


 * First Lady:**
 * 1789, April 30 - 1797, March 4
 * 57 years old
 * Held formal dinners on Thursday & public receptions on Friday to establish public role as hostess
 * No evidence to suggest she influenced presidential decisions; however, she was a strong supporter of Federalist party
 * "Newspapers of the Anti-Federalist Party criticized the formality of her receptions as evoking the royal court of the British monarchy, against the tyranny of which the American Revolution had been fought."
 * Beloved by many America Revolution War veterans, publically know to provide financial support to those in need
 * Admired by Americans & Europeans
 * Received gifts


 * Roles:**
 * She had to be coiffed daily and pay greater attention to the dictates of fashion
 * Had to refuse invitations to private gatherings
 * Had to take on a lot of public and political responsibilites.
 * Forced to stay at home most of the time.
 * Martha personally greeted the public in an open-house reception on New Year's Day and entertained special callers and guests at least twice a week.


 * Post Presidential Life:**
 * Relieved after husband's terms ended
 * Retired to Mount Vernon
 * George died Decmber 14, 1799
 * Washinton's slaves were promised freedom upon Martha's death
 * Died on May 22, 1802-70 years old (Mount Vernon, Virginia<---Burrial vault)

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 * Resources Used:**