Labels

Martha Washington: An American Life by Patricia Brady

 

Summary (from the publisher): Martha Custis was an attractive, wealthy widow and the mother of two young children when she agreed to marry again in 1759 and begin a new life as Martha Washington. For the next forty-one years, Martha was not only her husband’s beloved partner, but also the absolute mainstay of his increasingly powerful and stressful life. Far from the kindly frump of popular mythology, Brady has discovered a decisive, indomitable woman who contributed greatly to the character of the new country in war and peace. In her superb new biography, Patricia Brady at last gives the first lady her due.

Though Martha Washington burned their private correspondence after George’s death, Brady draws on a vast array of primary sources to reconstruct the daily texture of the Washingtons’ marriage as well as the nuances of Martha’s character. Martha Washington was a strong-minded, passionate individual, a woman deeply devoted to her husband, children, and country. This first biography to capture her generosity, humor, grace, and stubborn resourcefulness is sure to win fans of Founding Mothers and anyone curious about women’s roles in the shaping of our nation.


Review: The woman who would become the first lady of the United States was born Martha Dandridge in 1731. Called Patsy by her family, she was the oldest child of John and Frances Dandridge and was born at home on the family tobacco plantation. Despite her family's lack of wealth, she was a fourth generation Virginian, and her family was well connected and considered part of the Virginia aristocracy. In 1750, despite his father's initial strong objections, she married Daniel Parke Custis, the only son of one of the wealthiest men in Virginia. They had a happy and loving marriage and had four children before his early death when Martha was still just 26. Tragically, two of her children also died young and her remaining daughter died as a teenager due to epilepsy. 


She was left a wealthy widow but chose to remarry to George Washington and they clearly adored each other for all forty-one years that they were married. While they never had children of their own, he helped her raise her two surviving children and then later her grandchildren and many nieces and nephews who spent considerable time with them. In return, she was his chief companion and greatest confidante. They disliked being apart and would have been much happier remaining at home at Mount Vernon, but duty called him to lead the revolutionary army and later the country as first president. Their marriage "became a joyful duet that lasted more than four decades. Together, they created a life of tender companionship and, in his often repeated phrase, 'domestic enjoyments'" (1). 


To the chagrin of many, including the author of this text, Martha burned all of the letters passed between Martha and George so much has been lost to history. Yet it is evident from their contemporaries and what evidence remains that they were devoted to one another and to their family. She was well liked and considered attractive well into old age. She was guilty of spoiling her sons and grandsons, but she also took tender care of her husband, who had a young nation in his eyes. She was considered a gifted conversationalist, capable housemaker, and well-read for her time. During the Revolutionary War, Washington was kept away from his beloved Mount Vernon for years. She bravely joined him each winter for months on end when fighting ceased for the season to provide companionship and to boost morale. "Out of those eight and a half years that he spent in command of the army, she was with him for nearly five, more than half the war, in stays ranging from three to ten months. Martha was truly the secret weapon of the American Revolution" (145). 


Martha's chief delight was her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, aunt, sister, and daughter her whole life and she was happiest at home surrounded by those she loved. How hard it must have been for such a maternal woman to bury all four of her children during her lifetime. But "her deep devotion to her children and other family members paled before the burning intensity of her love for George Washington" (105). 


I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about Martha Washington through this well-written biography. Despite having read about multiple other famous Americans from the time period, this was my first time reading anything about the Washingtons. Martha comes across as an admirable woman of her time who was deeply devoted to her family. If anything, my only complaint is I wished I had had yet more detail since this biography is relatively short at under 300 pages. However, I did appreciate that the book didn't get bogged down in the minutia of the political world that George would have engaged in but instead focused on her daily life. 


Stars: 4


Related Titles: 


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts