Bill, from Dr. James Carter, November 28, 1757

Illness and Mortality

A bill from a local apothecary to the Custis estate, which presumably is for medical services for Martha Dandridge Custis and the Custis children.

Dr. James Carter

Custis Papers, Virginia Historical Society

Greenwood Press

1757-11-28

published version of manuscript document

eng

Letter, from John Hanbury and Company, November 1757

Custis estate, financial transactions

This letter details the disposition of twenty hogsheads of tobacco. The London agent hopes that a successful sale will induce continued and more frequent business from Martha Dandridge Custis, executrix of the Custis estate.

John Hanbury and Company

Virginia Historical Society

Greenwood Press

1757-11-00

published version of manuscript document

eng

Painting, Alexander Spotswood Payne and His Brother, John Robert Dandridge Payne, with their Nurse, 1790-1800, anonymous

Life at Mount Vernon

This anonymous painting depicts two children of the Payne family, of New Market plantation in Goochland County, Virginia, and their black nursemaid. This kind of arrangement was common among Virginia gentry families who could afford multiple house slaves (image courtesy of Virginia Museum of Fine Arts).

The Payne Limner (anonymous)

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

oil on canvas

eng

Tombstone of Daniel Parke Custis, Bruton Parish Church, Williamsburg

Death of Daniel Parke Custis

Daniel Parke Custis, Martha Washington’s first husband, died on July 8, 1757 of what seems to have been a severe throat infection. Martha ordered this expensive and elaborate tombstone from England. Custis is buried in the graveyard of Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg, Virginia, alongside the graves of his and Martha’s first two children (image courtesy of Sharon S. Leon).

eng

Silver sugar tongs

Sociability at Mount Vernon

Drinking tea was an important domestic ritual in early America. Wealthy women displayed their social status by using expensive porcelain plates and cups and a sterling silver tea service. Made around 1755, these tongs are engraved with the family crest of Martha’s first husband, Daniel Parke Custis. Used in the Washington household, the object was passed down to the descendants of Eliza Parke Custis. They are often misidentified as displaying the Washington crest (which included a winged griffon) instead of the Custis crest (which included a wingless bird of prey). Image courtesy of Mount Vernon Ladies' Association.

Robert Cox

1755

eng

Letter, from Robert Cary and Company, November 26, 1757

Letter to Martha Custis detailing various mercantile transactions.

Robert Cary and Company

Custis Family Papers, Virginia Historical Society

Greenwood Press

1757-11-26

eng

Receipt, from Richard Chamberlayne, November 2, 1757

Receipt for various items, including a record signed by New Kent County Justice documenting that the debt was overdue.

Richard Chamberlayne

Greenwood Press

1757-11-02

eng

Receipt, from Burbidge & Armistead

Greenwood Press

1757-11-01

eng

Receipt, from John Wollaston, October 21, 1757

Receipt from painter John Wollaston, presumably for the well-known portraits of Martha Dandridge Custis, Daniel Parke Custis, and their children.

John Wollaston

Custis Family Papers, Virginia Historical Society

1757-10-21

eng

Receipt, from Richard Littlepage, October 8, 1757

Richard Littlepage

Greenwood Press

1757-10-08

eng