Chinard, Gilbert, ed. and trans. George Washington as the French Knew Him. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1940.

“[Valley Forge, late February 1778]…From Lancaster, we proceeded directly to Valley-Forge, where we arrived on the 23d of February. On the next day, I had the honor of being presented to Genl Washington, and to dine with him that day, and the next….I had frequent opportunities of seeing him, as it was my duty to accompany the Baron when he dined with him, which was sometimes twice or thrice in the same week. We visited him also in the evening, when Mrs Washington was at Head-quarters. We were in a manner domesticated in the family….In the midst of all our distress, there were some bright sides to the picture, which Valley-Forge exhibited at that time. Mrs. Washington had the courage to follow her husband in that dismal abode; other ladies also graced the scene….They often met at each others quarters, and sometimes at General Washington’s, where the evening was spent in conversation, over a dish of tea or coffee. There were no levees or formal soirees; no dancing, card-playing, or amusement of any kind, except singing. Every gentlemen or lady who could sing, was called upon in turn for a song. As I had a tolerable voice, and some knowledge of music, I found myself of consequence in these reunions. I soon learned the favorite English songs, and contributed my share to the pleasures of the company….” (14, 16)

Claude Blanchard -- “On the 20th we stopped at Alexandria…General Washington’s residence…is situated between Colchester and Alexandria. Mrs Washington is a woman of about fifty years of age; she is small and fat, her appearance is respectable. She was dressed very plainly and her manners were simple in all respects; she had with her three other ladies, her relations….In the evening, we left her respectable company after having spent a very agreeable and truly interesting day.” (67)

Thompson, Mary. "MW-Revolutionary War." Unpublished paper, Mount Vernon Ladies Association.

Mary Thompson

Ryan, Dennis P., ed. A Salute to Courage: The American Revolution as Seen Through Wartime Writings of Officers of the Continental Army and Navy. New York: Columbia University Press, 1979.

“…I am at present enjoying myself incomparably well in the family of Mrs. Washington, whose guard I have had the honor to command since the absence of the General and the rest of the family, which is now six or seven days. I am happy in the importance of my charge, as well as the presence of the most amiable woman upon Earth, whose character should I attempt to describe I could not do justice to, but will only say that I think it unexceptionable; the first and second nights after I came it was expected that a body of the Enemy’s horse would pay us a visit, but I was well prepared to receive them for I had not only a good detachment of well disciplined troops under my command, but four members of Congress who were volunteers with their musquets, bayonets and ammunition. I assure you they have disposed of a greater share of spirits than you have ever seen in that body or perhaps ever will see as long as they exist. I leave you to judge whether there is not considerable merit due their commander. I only wish I had a company of them to command for a campaign; and if you would not see an alteration in the constitution of our army against the next, I would suffer to lose my ears and never command a Congressman again. The rations they have consumed considerably overbalance all their service done as volunteers, for they have dined with us every day almost and drank as much wine as they would earn in six months.” (186-187)

Trumbull, John. Washington Resigning His Commission, Annapolis, December 23, 1783. 1817-1822, oil on canvas. CAP Ref. 1832.8. Yale University Art Gallery.

painting

Letter, George Washington to Martha Washington, June 18, 1775. Washington, D.C.: Tudor Place Foundation.

Philadelphia June 18, 1775

My Dearest

I am now set down to write you on a subject which fills me with inexpressible concern - and this concern is greatly aggravated and Increased, when I reflect upon the uneasiness I know it will give you - It has been determined in Congress that the whole Army raised for the defence of the American Cause shall be put under my care, and that it is necessary for me to proceed immediately to Boston to take upon me the command of it. You may believe me my dear Patcy, when I assure you, in the most solemn manner, that, so far from seeking this appointment I have used every endeavor in my power to avoid it, not only from my unwillingness to part with you and the Family, but from a consciousness of its being a trust too great for my Capacity and that I should enjoy more real happiness and felicity in one month with you, at home, than I have the most distant prospect of reaping abroad, if my stay were to be Seven times Seven years. But, as it has been a kind of destiny that has thrown me upon this Service, I shall hope that my undertaking of it, is designed to answer some good purpose - You might, and I suppose did perceive, from the Tenor of my letters, that I was apprehensive I could not avoid this appointment, as I did not even pretend [t]o intimate when I should return - that was the case - it was utterly out of my power to refuse this appointment without exposing my Character to such censures as would have reflected dishonour upon myself, and given pain to my friends - this, I am sure could not, and ought not be pleasing to you, & must have lessened me considerably in my own esteem. I shall rely therefore, confidently, on that Providence which has heretofore preservd, & been bountiful to me, not doubting but that I shall return safe to you in the fall - I shall feel no pain from the Toil, or the danger of the Campaign - My unhapiness will flow, from the uneasiness I know you will feel at being left alone - I beg of you to summon your whole fortitude Resolution, and pass your time as agreeably as possible - nothing will give me so much sincere satisfaction as to hear this, and to hear it from your own pen.

If it should be your desire to remove to Alexandria (as you once mentioned upon an occasion of this sort) I am quite pleased that you should put it into practive, & Lund Washington may be directed, by you, to build a Kitchen and other Houses there proper for your reception - if on the other hand you should rather Incline to spend a good part of your time among your Friends below, I wish you to do so. - In short, my earnest, & ardent desire is, that you would pursue any Plan that is most likely to produce content, and a tolerable degree of Tranquility as it must add greatly to my uneasy feelings to hear that you are dissatisfied, and complaining at what I really could not avoid.

As life is always uncertain, and common prudence dictates to every Man the necessity of settling his temporal Concerns whilst it is in his power - and while the Mind is calm and undisturbed, I have, since I came to this place (for I had not time to do it before I left home) got Colo Pendleton to Draft a Will for me by the directions which I gave him which will I now Inclose - The Provision made for you, in cas[e] of my death will, I hope, be agreeable; I Included the money for which I sold my own land (to Doctr Mercer) in the Sum Given you, as also all other Debts. What I owe myself is very trifling - Cary's Debt excepted, and that would not have been much if the Bank stock had been applied without such difficulties as he made in the Transference.

I shall add nothing more at present as I have several Letters to write, but to desire you will remember me to Milly & all Friends, and to assure you that I am with the most unfeigned regard,

My dear
Patcy Yr Affecte
Go: Washington

P.S. Since writing the above I have receivd your Letter of the 15th and have got two suits of what I was told wa[s] the prettiest Muslin. I wish it may please you - it cost 50/ a suit that is 20/. a yard.

Fields, Joseph E. 'Worthy Partner': The Papers of Martha Washington. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1994.

Pierpont Morgan Library

Dear Miss                             Cambridge December the 30th 1775

I now sit down to tell you that I arrived hear safe and our party all well - we were fortunate in our time of setting out as the weather proved fine all the time we were on the road - I did not reach Philad till the tuesday after I left home, we were so attended and the gentlemen so kind, that I am lade under obligations to them that I shall not for get soon. I dont doubt but you have see the Figuer our arrival made in the Philadelphia paper - and I left it in as great pomp as if I had been a very great somebody

I have waited some days to collect something to tell, but alias there is nothing but what you will find in the papers - every person seems to be cheerful1 and happy hear, - some days we have a number of cannon and shells from Boston and Bunkers Hill, but it does not seem to surprise any one but me; I confess I shudder every time I hear the sound of a gun - I have been to dinner with two of the Generals, Lee and Putnam and I just took a look at pore Boston & Charlstown - from prospect Hill Charlestown has only a few chimneys standing in it, thare seems to be a number of very fine Buildings in Boston but god knows how long they will stand; they are pulling up all the warfs for firewood - to me that never see any thing of war, the preparations, are very terable indeed, but I endever to keep my fears to myself as well as I can.

Your Friends Mr Harrison & Henly are boath very well and I think they are fatter than they were when they came to the Camp - and Capt Baylor is as lusty man to what he was when you see him - the girls may rest sattisfied on Mr Harrisons account for he seems two fond of his country to give his heart to any but one of his virginia Friends, thare are but two young Laides in Cambridge, and a very great number of Gentlemen so you may gess how much is made of them - but neither of them is pretty I think,

This is a beautyfull country, and we had a very plasant journey through New england, and had the plasure to find the General very well we came within the month from home to the Camp

I see your Brother at Princeton he was very well but did not talk of comeing home soon

Please to give my love and good wishes to your Mamma & grandmamma, Mr Ramsay and Family, my compliments to all enquiring Freinds, the good gentlemen that came with me up to Baltimore, and Mrs. Herbert - in which the General and Mr & Mrs Custis' joins, please to remember me to Mr & Mrs McCarty and Family

I am Dear Miss your most
affectionate
Friend and Servt
Martha Washington

(Address)
To
Miss Ramsay
In Alexandria

Autograph Letter Signed

traveling trunk

Mount Vernon, A-1356/W-2738

Mount Vernon

sewing accessory

The Martha Washington Collection, Mount Vernon.

The Martha Washington Collection, Mount Vernon.

Phila. June 23d. 1775

My dearest,

As I am within a few minutes of leaving this City, I could not think of departing from it without dropping you a line, especially as I do not know whether it may be in my power to write you again till I get to the Camp at Boston - I go fully trusting in that Providence, which has been more bountiful to me than I deserve, & in full confidence of a happy Meeting with you sometime in the Fall - I have no time to add more, as I am surrounded with Company to take leave of me - I retain an unalterable affection for you, which neither time or distance can change. My best love to Jack & Nelly and regard for the rest of the Family concludes me with the utmost truth & sincerity,

Yr entire
Go: Washington

To
Mrs Washington
at
M Vernon