Dandridge, Martha

1731 - 1802  (70 years)

• Name	Dandridge, Martha
  Birth	21 Jun 1731	New Kent Co., Virginia, British America
  Gender	Female
  Death	22 May 1802	Mount Vernon, Fairfax, Virginia, Unitrd States
  Person ID	I1207	Hastings-A
  Last Modified	25 Apr 2025

  
  

  Family	Washington, President George,   b. 22 Feb 1732   d. 14 Dec 1799 (Age 67 years)
  Marriage	6 Jan 1759	New Kent Co., Virginia, British America
  Family ID	F1438	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	20 Apr 2025

  
  

• Notes

  Martha's first husband, Daniel Parke Custis died intestate. Marthat received the lifetime use of one-third of his property ("dower share"), with the other two-thirds held in trust for their children. The January 1759 Custis Estate inventory lists 285 enslaved Africans.[1] The October 1759 Custis Estate inventory lists 17,779 acres (71.95 km2) of land, spread over 5 counties.[2] John Parke Custis was the only one of their children to reach his majority, and became the sole heir. Upon her marriage to George Washington, the dower share, including the "dower negroes," came under Washington's control, pursuant to the common law doctrine of seisin jure uxoris, but upon his death, reverted to her, and then, upon her death, to her first husband's children. Because of Martha Washington's "dower share" (which included 153 enslaved Africans in 1799), the Custis Estate was not liquidated until after her 1802 death. Martha's first husband, Daniel Parke Custis died intestate. Marthat received the lifetime use of one-third of his property ("dower share"), with the other two-thirds held in trust for their children. The January 1759 Custis Estate inventory lists 285 enslaved Africans.[1] The October 1759 Custis Estate inventory lists 17,779 acres (71.95 km2) of land, spread over 5 counties.[2] John Parke Custis was the only one of their children to reach his majority, and became the sole heir. Upon her marriage to George Washington, the dower share, including the "dower negroes," came under Washington's control, pursuant to the common law doctrine of seisin jure uxoris, but upon his death, reverted to her, and then, upon her death, to her first husband's children. Because of Martha Washington's "dower share" (which included 153 enslaved Africans in 1799), the Custis Estate was not liquidated until after her 1802 death.