The founding mothers
History tells us a lot about the Founding Fathers of the U.S., but today we’re going to talk about some of the women who had a huge contribution to our nation that is soon to be 250 years old.
Martha Washington
If George Washington was the father of our country, Martha was the mother. She ran the family business – the plantation – when he was gone, first during the French and Indian Wars, and then during the Revolution, and she helped set a standard of simple elegance, presiding over receptions in the presidential residences first in New York, then in Philadelphia. But because Martha opposed her husband accepting the presidency, she did not attend his inauguration.
Martha Dandridge was born on June 2, 1731, at Chestnut Grove, a plantation in New Kent County Virginia. According to descriptions by people who knew her, Martha was about 5 feet tall. Surviving portraits show that she had brown hair and either brown or hazel eyes. As she aged, Mrs. Washington’s hair turned from gray to white.
First marriage
Martha Dandridge married Daniel Parke Custis on May 15, 1750. Martha and Daniel had four children together. Only two lived to age 5 and Martha outlived all of her children.
After seven years of marriage, Daniel Custis died suddenly in July 1757. Martha Custis, at age 26, became a very wealthy widow with two young children, a 17,500-acre plantation to manage, and responsible for almost 300 enslaved people.
Under English property laws, women could only own property if they were single or widowed. While a widow, Martha Custis managed the Custis estate and business interests.
Meeting George
In the spring of 1758, a number of men attempted to court Martha Custis, including Charles Carter and George Washington.
George Washington visited Martha Custis twice in March of 1758.
George and Martha Washington married on Jan. 6, 1759, at the bride’s home in New Kent. They moved to Mount Vernon in April 1759.
George and Martha Washington never had any children together, but they raised Martha’s children and grandchildren together.
Martha Washington spent about half of the Revolutionary War with her husband in camp or nearby. She organized a group of women who would wash clothes and blankets, and care for sick and dying soldiers.
While with him, she copied George Washington’s letters, knitted for the soldiers, and visited hospitals.
She and a group of women raised money which they used to buy soldiers shirts and other supplies.
Between the Revolutionary War and the presidency, George and Martha Washington spent most of their time at Mount Vernon.
They raised two of their grandchildren, George Washington “Washy” Parke Custis and Eleanor “Nelly” Parke Custis.
Martha Washington was too heartbroken to attend her husband’s funeral on Dec. 18, 1799. In total Martha Washington had 21 great-grandchildren, but most did not survive childhood.
On May 22, 1802, Martha Washington died around noon surrounded by friends and family.
The enslaved people owned by the Custis estate — numbering about 150—were dispersed to Martha Washington’s four grandchildren. Legally considered property, enslaved people had no control over their destination.
A few other founding mothers
Delegates from all of the colonies were present in Philadelphia for the signing of the Declaration of Independence. 56 men left their homes, businesses and families to make the case for the country. Here are some of the woman who supported the signers.
Signers?
John Hancock signed his name the biggest. He married Dorothy “Dolly” Quincy in 1775. John and Dolly would have two children, neither of whom survived to adulthood. When John died she married again to a sea captain. According to legend, Dolly was present while the Battle of Lexington was being fought in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts?
Our second president and first lady were from there. John Adams married his cousin (third cousin a common thing back then) Abigail Smith on Oct. 25, 1764. Abigail was well-versed in politics, philosophy, art, and many other topics, and thus, she was a great friend and advisor to John throughout his career. Together the couple had six children, only four of whom would make it to adulthood. Abigail died of typhoid fever eight years before John Adams died.
Adams died?
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, presidents and rivals both died on July 4, 1826. Thomas Jefferson married the widow Martha Wayles Skelton on Jan. 1, 1772. She was previously married to Bathurst Skelton, a Virginia attorney. Martha was an accomplished pianist, and it is said that she and Thomas found each other through their mutual love of music. The couple had six children together, only two of whom (Martha “Patsy” and Mary “Polly”) made to adulthood. Martha died in September of 1782, shortly after the birth of her last child.
Child?
Signer Benjamin Rush married Julia Stockton and the couple had 13 children, nine of whom would survive infancy. She was the daughter of Richard Stockton, another signer of the Declaration of Independence. Julia, who lived to be 89, is remembered for her efforts to raise money for the Continental Army called the “wives of Philadelphia.”
Philadelphia?
That’s in Pennsylvania where signer John Morton was from. Morton married Anne Justice (1729-1818) in 1745. Together they had nine children. After John’s death in 1777, the British ransacked the Morton residence and Ann was forced to flee with her family across the Delaware River. Much of the documentation about their private lives was lost as a result of the destruction from the Revolution.
Revolution?
Signer Francis Lewis was married to Elizabeth Annesley. She was a woman of high character, noted due to her calm reaction to the British opening fire on her home and then taking her captive. As a result of her imprisonment, however, her health declined rapidly. She died in June of 1779 in New York.
New York?
Margaret Corbin’s husband, John, was killed firing artillery from Fort Washington, New York. Margaret moved into his battle station and fought bravely, sustaining three gunshot wounds, until the British captured the post. Because her wounds disabled her, the Continental Congress awarded Margaret half the pay of a soldier and a complete outfit of clothing, or its value in cash; eventually she also received an annual clothing allowance. Not willing to leave it at that, as a member of what was called the Invalid Regiment, Margaret Corbin petitioned and won a full ration, including rum or whiskey. Many years after her death the Daughters of the American Revolution were granted their request to rebury Margaret Corbin at West Point, making her the only Revolutionary veteran to receive that honor.
Honor?
Betsy Ross had the honor of sewing the first United States flag. A symbol of patriotism, Ross is often celebrated as the woman who helped George Washington finish the design. Although there is no historical evidence that she created this flag, her story has made her a national icon.
Ross had a successful seamstress and upholstery business in Philadelphia. George Washington and two members of the Continental Congress brought a rough sketch of a flag with 13 red and white stripes and 13 six-pointed stars. Ross suggested that the stars be changed to five-pointed stars because they were easier to make. Allegedly, she showed them how to make the new stars by folding a piece of paper into triangles and with a single snip of the scissors she made a perfect star. The men agreed to change the design.
You can learn more about the signers of the Declaration of Independence wives here.
Sources: Mount Vernon National Park, Constitutionfacts.org, “Founding Mothers” by Cokie Roberts, womenshistory.org