Page 239 - Cousins - Celebrities, Saints & Sinners

Washington owned slaves, and in order to preserve national unity he supported measures
passed by Congress to protect slavery. He later became troubled with the institution
of slavery and freed his slaves in a 1799 will. He endeavored to assimilate Native Americans into
Anglo-American culture but combated indigenous resistance during occasions of violent
conflict. He was a member of the Anglican Church and the Freemasons, and he urged broad
religious freedom in his roles as general and president. Upon his death, he was eulogized as
"first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen". He has been memorialized
by monuments, art, geographical locations, stamps, and currency, and many scholars and polls
rank him among the greatest American presidents.
On January 6, 1759, Washington, at age 26, married Martha Dandridge Custis, the 28-year-old
widow of wealthy plantation owner Daniel Parke Custis. The marriage took place at Martha's
estate; she was intelligent, gracious, and experienced in managing a planter's estate, and the
couple created a happy marriage. They raised John Parke Custis (Jacky) and Martha Parke
(Patsy) Custis, children from her previous marriage, and later their grandchildren Eleanor Parke
Custis (Nelly) and George Washington Parke Custis (Washy). Washington's 1751 bout with
smallpox is thought to have rendered him sterile, though it is equally likely Martha may have
sustained injury during the birth of Patsy, her final child, making additional births
impossible. They lamented the fact that they had no children together. They moved to Mount
Vernon, near Alexandria, where he took up life as a planter of tobacco and wheat and emerged
as a political figure.

The marriage gave Washington control over Martha's one-third dower interest in the 18,000-
acre Custis estate, and he managed the remaining two-thirds for Martha's children; the estate
also included 84 slaves. He became one of Virginia's wealthiest men, which increased his social
standing.

Martha Washington (née Dandridge; June 13 [O.S. June 2] 1731 – May 22,
1802) was the wife of George Washington, the first President of the United
States. Although the title was not coined until after her death, Martha
Washington served as the inaugural First Lady of the United States. During
her lifetime she was often referred to as "Lady Washington".
She had first married Daniel Parke Custis, with whom she had four
children, and was widowed by the age of 25. Two of her children by Custis
survived to young adulthood. She brought her vast wealth to her marriage
to Washington, which enabled him to buy land to add to his personal
estate. She and Washington did not have children together, but they did
4 cousin, 7 times removed rear her two surviving children by her first marriage.
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References:
1. Relative Finder, associated with FamilySearch, and the Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS)
2. Wikipedia.org
3. Learn more – George Washington – First U. S. President
4. LDS Family Tree attached

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