Footstool

Daily life at Mount Vernon

This footstool is identified by script on the underside that reads “This stool was owned by Martha Washington and given to Nellie Custis her grand child…”  Martha would likely have used this stool as she was sewing (image courtesy of Mount Vernon Ladies' Association).

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Sewing Chair

Daily life at Mount Vernon

Martha Washington’s granddaughter Eliza Custis Law purchased this chair at the 1802 public auction following Martha’s death. Family tradition identifies it as Martha’s sewing chair. Because of the amount of high-quality fabric needed to upholster such a chair, it was considered a luxury item (image courtesy of Mount Vernon Ladies' Association).

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Boxwood Rule

Daily life at Mount Vernon

This short boxwood ruler was used for various sewing projects. Martha was a dedicated seamstress throughout her entire life. This ruler was typical of the period; there would likely have been several such instruments at Mount Vernon. Martha’s granddaughter Eliza Parke Custis Law identified this object as a “Box rule from the writing desk of my lamented grandmother" (image courtesy of Mount Vernon Ladies' Association).

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Shell pattern chair cushion, c. 1765-1802

Daily life at Mount Vernon

Martha Washington was an avid seamstress. While much of her time was spent directing the work of servants and slaves, she produced many pieces of needlework. This shell pattern was cross-stitched by Martha herself over a period of decades. The canvases were ultimately made into cushions, probably for Windsor chairs. Six of these cushions survive at Mount Vernon today (image courtesy of Mount Vernon Ladies' Association).

Martha Washington

Mount Vernon Ladies' Association

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Gold snuffbox

Martha Washington

This gold snuffbox, engraved with the Custis coat of arms on the bottom, was probably part of a shipment of luxury goods received from England soon after the death of Daniel Parke Custis. Of considerable value, the object reveals Martha’s impressive wealth and important family connections. The taking of snuff was common in eighteenth century America, and there is evidence that Martha indulged in this habit for most of her life (image courtesy of Mount Vernon Ladies' Association).

1755

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Mahogany Dressing Table

Daily life at Mount Vernon

This bureau dressing table was made by Williamsburg cabinetmaker Peter Scott, and is the only known documented piece of furniture made by him. It was purchased by Daniel Parke Custis in 1754. Martha Custis brought it to Mount Vernon after her marriage to George Washington in 1759 (image courtesy of Mount Vernon Ladies' Association).

Peter Scott

1754

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Chinese Lacquered Dressing Glass

Daily life at Mount Vernon

Imported Chinese luxury goods had long been popular in the American colonies. Such goods became more readily available when trade with China opened up after the Revolution. George Washington purchased this lacquered Chinese dressing glass for his wife during his second term as president, probably in 1795 (image courtesy of Mount Vernon Ladies' Association).

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Edward Savage, West Front of Mount Vernon, c. 1796

This iconic view of the west front of Mount Vernon is the earliest known pictorial representation of the house and grounds. There is a similar painting of the east front. This view is particularly interesting for its portrayal of domesticity. In the foreground George and Martha Washington walk alongside Nelly Custis. Another of Martha’s grandchildren, George Washington Parke Custis, is nearby, standing alongside a pair of hounds. Washington’s slaves and guests also populate the scene (image courtesy of Mount Vernon Ladies' Association).

Edward Savage

1796

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Washington family Bible

In early America, bibles were often used to record important dates and events in a family’s history. The Washington family bible was used for this purpose. An interleaved page records in meticulous handwriting the marriage of Augustine Washington and Mary Ball, parents of George Washington, as well as George’s birth date and baptismal date (image courtesy of Mount Vernon Ladies' Association).

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Book of Common Prayer

religion

Like most members of Virginia’s planter class, the Washingtons were Anglicans. It is not surprising, then, that this copy of the Book of Common Prayer is among the books that were associated with Martha Washington. According to the inscription on the front endpaper, Martha read in the book twice a day from 1789 through her death in 1802 (image courtesy of Mount Vernon Ladies' Association).

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