This portrait is believed to depict John Parke and Martha Parke Custis, the surviving children of Martha Washington and her first husband, Daniel Parke Custis. Although George and Martha Washington were never able to have children of their own,…

Well known portraitist John Wollaston painted the entire Custis family in 1757. This dual portrait is of Daniel and Martha Custis's two chidlren, John Parke (Jacky) and Martha Parke (Patsy)…

This bowl has been passed down through generations of Dandridge descendants and is known as the “Dandridge Christening Bowl.”  It is an example of famille verte ware, a style of Chinese porcelain. Although the bowl’s…

Martha Washington’s daughter Patsy was sixteen when this miniature portrait was painted by Charles Willson Peale. Patsy suffered from what was probably epilepsy, and a year after this portrait was executed would die as the result of a seizure…

This miniature portrait of John Parke (Jacky) Custis was executed by Charles Willson Peale. Jacky brought the painter with him to Mount Vernon when returning home from his studies in Annapolis. Jacky was eighteen when this portrait was painted. …

In this letter, Martha Washington writes to her sister Anna Maria Dandridge Bassett about a variety of household news. The letter displays a characteristic social graciousness in interacting with friends and family. The grammar and spelling are…

“His excellency – the General & Mrs[.] Washington amidst flattering public prospects have Received the most fatal blow to their Domestic felicity – the amiable Mr[.] Custis, Mrs[.] Washington’s only child has just been obliged by the rigid…