Martha Washington

Most Americans know about George Washington's life during the American Revolution. Very few know about how his wife, Martha Dandridge Custis Washington, spent those harrowing years.

Despite fears for her safety, with the assistance of her husband's cousin, Martha managed Mount Vernon during her husband's 8-year absence. Her responsibilities involved supervision and care of the estate’s hired, indentured, and enslaved workers at a time when a smallpox epidemic was rampaging through the country. George also asked her to spend almost every winter of the war with him at his winter quarters. In camp, as the commander's wife, she helped entertain important guests, was a mother or aunt figure for the wives of the younger officers on the staff, and supported George during very difficult times.  Martha also took a prominent role in raising money for the Revolutionary Army, a role which has been largely forgotten.