George and Martha Washington Recounts our History

George and Martha Washington’s journey together began after Martha’s first husband died, July 1757, leaving her a very wealthy widow and mother of four children. The earliest written record of George and Martha’s connection appeared the following year (March 1758) when George wrote a note to his servants in his financial records after remarking on a visit to the widow Curtis (Martha’s married name).

Less than a year later, January 1759, George and Martha were married at her estate in New Kent County, Virginia. The marriage may not have started out as 

a true love story as George wrote to an acquaintance that Martha was “an agreeable partner.” Not exactly a loving endearment, but soon that would change. By the end of 1759, the new blended family of George, Martha, and her four children had moved to Mount Vernon. This move was a step down for the uber-wealthy Martha, but she soon adapted to the smaller estate, and she and her children lived contently and in comfort.

After moving to Mount Vernon, George wrote his English agent and expressing his excitement to enter retirement with Martha. He wrote, “I hope to find more happiness in retirement than I ever experienced amidst a wide and bustling World.” If only he knew what his future held. His world would become so much more “wide and bustling”. 

Though his retirement would be short-lived, the Washington’s love continued to blossom. In 1767, almost ten years into the marriage, a rare letter written by Lund Washington, a distant cousin of George’s, for Martha expresses how much she misses her husband while he’s away handling politics and his assets. She also begins the message with “My Dearest” and ends it with “your most Affectionate, Martha Washington.”

As the fight for America’s independence began to heat up, George accepted the position of representative for Virginia at the first continental congress in Philadelphia, PA. While traveling to Philly with fellow delegates, Patrick Henry and Edmond Pendelton, Pendelton wrote about Martha in a letter, “She seemed ready to make any sacrifice and was cheerfull though I knew she felt anxious. She talked like a Spartan mother to her son going into battle. ‘I hope you will stand firm – I know George will.”

Martha ordered the burning of all personal correspondence after George’s death. A common thing for those days. There are three known letters that escaped destruction, one was reportedly found behind the drawer of Martha’s writing desk, possibly by her granddaughter. In the letter George expresses his apprehension and anxiety “on a subject which fills me with inexpressible concern – and this concern is greatly aggravated and Increased, when I reflect upon the uneasiness I know it will give you” It’s obvious that he doesn’t want to cause his beloved wife any trouble. He continues to explain that he’s accepted the potion of Commanding General to the entire army of the new American Cause. 

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