Fields, Joseph E. "Worthy Partner": The Papers of Martha Washington. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1994.

Mount Vernon

manuscript document

Fields, Joseph E. "Worthy Partner": The Papers of Martha Washington. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1994.

Mount Vernon

manuscript document

From "Diary of Mrs. William Thornton, 1800-1863" (vol. 10, 1907, of the Records of the Columbia Historical Society). “[Saturday, 8/2/1800]…We set off again about eleven Oclock…& we got to Mrs Washington’s about two Oclock….Mrs Washington is much broke since I saw her last—Her Grandson Washington Custis, in whom she seems quite wrapt [sic] up, was indisposed, and she seemed very anxious on his account.—She is a very polite & amiable old Lady. The same order & regularity is observed as when the Genl was living….[Wednesday, 11/19/1800]…Mama & I—went to Mrs Peter’s—found Mrs Tingey there—they were all going to George Town & then to wait on Mrs Adams.—We waited on Mrs Dexter, then went to some Stores & returned to Mrs Peter’s & waited till she returned—Mama then went home in our Carriage & in Mrs Tingey’s to Mrs Adams’s.—Mrs A. is a short lady; in person something like Mrs Washington—has a sensible look….” (174,213)

diary

Thornton, William. Harris Charles M. and Daniel Preston, eds. Papers of William Thornton. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 1995.

From William Thornton to John Marshall, 1/2/1800: “[re: the plan to put George Washington’s body in the Unites States Capitol]…But in fulfilling this duty there is another which will give great comfort to her who enjoyed the felicity of being the partner of his life. She expressed, in her affliction, the hope of soon lying in the same humble vault prepared for his family, and considered it as the last temporal consolation. The body of her beloved friend and companion is now requested and she does not refuse the national wish—but if an intimation could be given that she should partake merely of the same place of deposit it would restore to her mind a calm and repose that this acquiescence in the national wish has in a high degree affected. You, who know her, are not unacquainted with her high virtues, and know that her love for the departed would be the only reason why such a wish could be entertained. She cannot be more honoured than she has been and, were it possible, the nation would give a still further proof of sensibility on this melancholy occasion, by a resolution in favour of her who possessed the heart of the late Friend of Man. I presume not to dictate any mode; but you will with liberality pardon the suggestion of a private individual. If a secret vote of the House were to be taken, and the result only made known to herself or friends, and be publickly [sic] declared after her death, it would appear, in my opinion, to the whole world, not only as a high mark of respect, but peculiarly delicate. That I write this is unknown to any of the family, and I hope you and they will excuse the liberty I take….” (527)

letter

Smith, Daniel Blake. "Mortality and Family in the Colonial Chesapeake." Journal of Interdisciplinary History, 8 3 (Winter, 1978): 403-427.

Obituary of Martha Washington, Alexandria Advertiser and Commercial Intelligencer, May 25, 1802.

Library of Congress

5/25/1802

“On Saturday the 22nd of May at 12 o’clock P.M. Mrs. Washington terminated her well spent life…..She was the worthy partner of the worthiest of men, and those who witnessed their conduct could not determine which excelled in their different characters, both were so well sustained on every occasion. They lived an honor and a pattern to their country, and are taken from us to receive the rewards—promised to the faithful and the just.”

newspaper

• John Tennent . Every man his own doctor, or, The poor planter's physician: prescribing, plain and easy means for persons to cure themselves of all, or most of the distempers, incident to this climate, and with very little charge, the medicines being chiefly of the growth and production of this country.  Williamsburg, Rockefeller Library, RC81.T42 1736a, rare books and special collections.

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

book

Bill from George Heath, 1758. Custis Family Papers, Mss1C9698 a. Virginia Historical Society

Tudor Place Foundation

clothing

The Martha Washington Collection, Mount Vernon.