Martha Washington

New Roles for Martha

The coming of the American Revolution permanently changed the trajectory of Martha Washington’s life. When she married George Washington, she had no doubt anticipated a relatively quiet life as a wealthy planter’s wife. Once George Washington assumed command of the Continental Army, however, she too became a public person and an active participant in the fight for independence against Great Britain.

Journey to Camp

After Washington left Mount Vernon in 1775, he would not return again for over six years. Every year, during the long winter months when the fighting was at a standstill, the General asked Martha to join him at his winter encampment.

Every year she made the arduous journey to his camp, whether it was at Cambridge, Valley Forge, Philadelphia, Morristown, Newburgh, or elsewhere. She stayed with him for months at a time. In fact, during the period from April 1775 until December 1783 Martha was able to be with her husband for almost half the time he was away. The General regarded his wife’s presence as so essential to the cause that he sought reimbursement from Congress for her traveling expenses.

Before she could make the first trip, however, Martha had to undergo her own ordeal. She had to be inoculated for smallpox. Smallpox was one of the most deadly enemies soldiers faced during wartime. After successfully weathering the inoculation, Martha could then travel to the soldiers’ camp without fear of contracting the disease or transmitting it to others.

Women and the Army

Martha was far from being the only woman at camp. In the eighteenth century, women were a visible part of any part of army encampment. Some of these women were the wives of soldiers who simply trailed along, having nowhere else to go.  Other women offered their services for pay, as cooks, washerwomen, nurses, prostitutes, or seamstresses.

At the winter encampments, Martha often associated with the wives of other officers. She was especially fond of Lucy Knox, wife of General Henry Knox, and Kitty Greene, wife of General Nathanael Greene. They became good friends, helping each other through difficult times by talking, singing, and doing needlework together.

Martha’s Role at Camp

As the wife of the Commander-in-Chief, Martha had more responsibility than the other wives. She was the General’s sounding board and closest confidant. She acted as his secretary and representative, copying letters and representing him at official functions. She comforted sick or wounded soldiers and sponsored social activities that brightened the darkness of the long winter days. Her presence not only fortified her husband but helped boost the morale of the entire camp.

Boosting Morale

Martha’s residence also became the camp’s social center. Acting as hostess, Martha received innumerable guests, including political leaders, foreign dignitaries, Indian chiefs, and military officials. Although social life conducted under the cloud of war was much more restrained than social life at Mount Vernon, Washington’s headquarters was known as a haven of warmth, good food, and lively conversation.

Martha also acted as an intermediary between the General and individuals who asked for his assistance in a variety of matters. In April 1778, for example, four Quaker women from Philadelphia visited Washington’s headquarters at Valley Forge. They presented Washington with a petition seeking the release from exile of a group of Quaker men who had been sent to Virginia for their failure to take a loyalty oath.

Martha conversed with the women and served them dinner. Although Washington did not immediately grant their petition, he signed a pass that allowed them journey unmolested through American lines. Pennsylvania’s Supreme Executive Council interpreted this gesture as a sign that Washington was favorably disposed toward their cause and eventually granted their request. Martha’s attitude made both sides more comfortable in dealing with one another.

Martha’s Sacrifices

These trips were Martha’s first excursions outside of her native Virginia. She found the journeys exhausting and the horrors of war depressing. She missed the routines of her daily life at Mount Vernon. Most of all, she missed her son, Jacky, and his growing brood of children. In 1781, she would lose Jacky himself to the war. In making these sacrifices, however, Martha demonstrated that she, no less than her husband, was committed to the success of the patriot cause.