Patriotic Ladies: First Lady Martha Washington

"I shall rely, therefore, confidently on that Providence, which has heretofore preserved and been bountiful to me, not doubting but that I shall return safe to you in the fall."

George Washington, Letter to Martha Washington, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, June 18, 1775
Compliments of George Washington Society

Source: George Washington/Facebook

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Martha's Early Life

Wikipedia tells us a bit of her early years (1731 - 1748), which also gives us insight into her adventurous personality:

Martha Dandridge was born on June 2, 1731, on her parents' tobacco plantation[2]: 9 , Chestnut Grove Plantation in New Kent County the Colony of Virginia. She was the oldest daughter of Frances Jones, the granddaughter of an Anglican rector[3]: 2 and John Dandridge, a Virginia planter[3]: 2 and county clerk[2]: 9 who emigrated from England. She had three brothers and four sisters...

Dandridge's father was well-connected with the Virginia aristocracy despite his relative lack of wealth, and she was taught to behave as a woman of the upper class.[7] She received a relatively high quality education for the daughter of a planter, though it was still inferior to that of her brothers.[8] She took to equestrianism, at one point riding her horse up and down the stairs of her uncle's home and escaping chastisement because her father was so impressed by her skill.[9]: 8

Martha at Valley Forge

The White House Historical Association tells us that "In a time when long-distance travel was both difficult and dangerous, Martha journeyed to Cambridge, Valley Forge, Philadelphia, and Morristown to support her husband and the soldiers in their disease-ridden winter encampments."

The National Women's History Museum also gives us insight into how Martha served her husband, the soldiers and the cause for liberty while they were on on the battlefield:

Because her husband was often travelling on military and business matters, Martha Washington was the effective manager of the household. She spent every winter in military encampments with General Washington during the Revolutionary War, making socks for the soldiers and raising money for other supplies.

Martha's support of her husband during the War for Independence and while serving as President of our newly formed nation reveals that she was a patriotic woman of strength, loyalty, self-sacrifice and determination. She certainly set the pattern for future First Ladies and is one forwhom we can thank God.

Mark Maloy at Emerging Revolutionary War Era tells us this charming story of Martha Washington when Patrick Henry and Edmund Pendleton stopped at Mt. Vernon to meet up with George Washington to attend the First Continental Congress together:

As the three Virginians left Mount Vernon on August 31, Edmund Pendleton remembered how Martha Washington bid them goodbye. She had no idea that the events that would follow would result in her husband being gone from Mount Vernon for nearly eight years.

Pendleton wrote: “I was most pleased with Mrs. Washington and her spirit. She seemed ready to make any sacrifice and was cheerful though I knew she felt anxious. She talked like a Spartan mother to her son going to battle. ‘I hope you will stand firm – I know George will,’ she said. The dear little woman was busy from morning to night in domestic duties, but she gave us much time in conversation and affording us entertainment. When we set off in the morning, she stood in the door and cheered us with the good words, ‘God be with you gentlemen.’

You can read more of Mr. Maloy's account of this historical meeting at “God be with you gentlemen”: To Philadelphia! – Emerging Revolutionary War Era.

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Dear Father in Heaven,

Thank You for our Founding Mothers, and especially Martha Washington who suffered without complaint and followed her husband into the battlefield to care for his needs and those of the soldiers under his command. We appreciate the example of godly womanhood she set before the watching world as the First Lady of the United States. She gave us respectability and esteem in the eyes of the people of America and the world. Thank You that she helped provide stability for our fledgling nation. It truly was a trying time for her to have lived through and we thank You for her.

In Lord Jesus Name I pray, amen.

Mercy Adams

Recommended resources for further study of First Lady Martha Washington:

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