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Martha Dandridge Custis Washington
Date of Birth: June 21, 1731
Date of Death: May 22, 1802
Age at death: 70
Married: January 6, 1759 - George Washington
Children: 4 |
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- Martha Dandridge and Daniel Park Custis
had four children; two of whom survived to adolescence
- Upon the death of Custis she became
the wealthiest widow in Virginia, and married Washington at age
27
- He adopted her two children, but fathered
no offspring of his own; therefore there are no direct descendents
of the first president
- Although she publicly dressed in the
latest fashions including her passion for elegant shoes, at home
she often wore house dresses made from used curtains or stockings
- Mrs. Washington began the tradition
of a New Years Day open house in 1791
- She hosted the first presidential
Thanksgiving dinner in 1789
- She reflected to friends that the
time she spent as first lady were the "Lost years of her
life"
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