Our Founding Mother: The Courage, Devotion, and Legacy of Martha Washington

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There’s an old saying that goes like this: behind every great man is a great woman. That was certainly the case with George and Martha Washington.

George Washington’s faithful wife of over 40 years was born on June 2, 1731 at Chestnut Grove plantation in New Kent County, Virginia.

Martha was her husband’s constant companion during the Revolutionary War, exposing herself to great hazards each year as she journeyed to be by the commander in chief’s side across the Continental Army’s many winter encampments. From the army’s struggles for survival at Valley Forge, Morristown, and beyond, Martha was there for it all, standing by her man, sharing in his many tribulations, and serving as a bright light amid so much suffering. Her bravery was unquestionable. The reason why Martha was even able to spend so much of the war with her husband was because she consented to be inoculated for smallpox, the most dreaded disease faced by soldiers and civilians alike during the 18th century. In a process called variolation, the inoculation was typically done by introducing smallpox matter to a small cut on the arm in order to cause a milder outbreak. Despite her fears, Martha gallantly went through with the procedure, which was not an absolute certainty and sometimes resulted in death. Her courage to take that risk ultimately paid off, providing Martha with an immunity to the disease and allowing her to play her pivotal part in the fight to secure American independence.   

After the war, as George Washington took on the immense task of leading the country as its first president, Martha once again dutifully stood by her husband’s side as the nation’s first First Lady. Just as George had no guide to follow as the first president and realized that every one of his actions would set a precedent for all who would follow him, Martha also recognized that the same circumstances applied to her as she carried out her role. That is why both of them worked so hard to bring honor to the office by setting the most upright, virtuous personal examples.     

One of my favorite lines from George Washington’s correspondence comes from a letter written to Martha shortly after he was appointed commander in chief of the Continental Army in June 1775. Before marching off to war, embarking “on a wide ocean, boundless in its prospect, and from whence, perhaps, no safe harbor is to be found,” George wrote the following to his wife: “I retain an unalterable affection for you, which neither time nor distance can change,” signing off the letter with, “Your entire, Go: Washington.” That beautiful line is an eternal reminder of the deep, enduring love that George and Martha Washington shared. Just as we rightly remember George Washington as our Founding Father, we must also never forget our Founding Mother, Martha Washington.

Bibliography:

Chernow, Ron. Washington: A Life. Penguin Books, 2011.

“Founders Online: George Washington to John Augustine Washington, 20 June 1775.” National Archives , founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-01-02-0009.

Ketchum, Richard M. The World of George Washington. American Heritage Pub. Co.; Book Trade Distribution by McGraw-Hill, 1974.

“A Love Letter from General Washington | George Washington’s Mount Vernon.” George Washington’s Mount Vernon, www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/martha-washington/the-papers-of-martha-washington/a-love-letter-from-general-washington.

Ten Facts about Martha Washington | George Washington’s Mount Vernon, www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/martha-washington/ten-facts-about-martha-washington.