Obituary

Death of Martha Washington

Early in May of 1802, Martha Washington fell sick with a stomach ailment, a complaint that at the time was called “bilious fever.” She remained ill through the rest of the month and apparently felt that death was near, as various groups of family members journeyed to Mount Vernon to be with her. She died on May 22. This obituary appeared soon after in a newspaper in Georgia (image courtesy of Mount Vernon Ladies' Association).

eng

The Martha Washington Collection, Mount Vernon.

DIED, AT Mount Vernon, on Saturday evening the 22d ult. Mrs. MARTHA WASHINGTON, widow of the late illustrious Gen. George Washington. To those amiable and christian virtues, which adorn the female character, she added dignity of manners, superiority of understanding, a mind intelligent and elevated. -- The silence of respectful grief is our best eulogy.