This bill is for a wide variety of clothing from 1756-57, from a tailor named George Heath. Several items throughout the bill are mourning clothes, and are presumably associated with one of the two deaths that struck the Custis family in 1757: …

John Custis was the very wealthy father of Martha Washington’s first husband, Daniel Parke Custis. Custis became a widower after his wife Frances died in 1714. Although initially opposed to his son’s intended marriage, Custis met with Martha…

Made of purple and yellow silk, these shoes are believed to have been worn by Martha Dandridge Custis during her wedding to George Washington. They not only reflect Martha’s status as a wealthy widow but also her youthful exuberance. She may have…

March 30, 1767

My Dearest

It was with very great pleasure I see in your letter that you got safely down. We are all very well at this time but it still is rainney and wett. I am sorry you will not be at home soon as I expected you. I had…

Mount Vernon, September 20, 1765.

Sir: If you will permit me after six years silence, the time I have been married to your Niece, to pay my respects to you in this Epistolary way I shall think myself happy in beginning a corrispondance which…

Williamsburg, May 1, 1759.

Gentln. The Inclos'd is the Ministers Certificate of my Marriage with Mrs. Martha Custis, properly as I am told, Authenticated, You will therefore for the future please to address all your Letters which relate to the…

When Daniel Parke Custis was courting Martha Dandridge, he enlisted the help of his friend John Blair to convince John Custis (Daniel’s father) that the match was appropriate. This letter contains the news that John Custis had capitulated…