Photo Courtesy: Virginia Historical Society (1857.3)
What image do you think of when the name Martha Washington is mentioned? Maybe one similar to this?
Now what image pops into your head when you think about young Martha Washington?
You had to think about it for a second, didn’t you? I faced the same dilemma seven months ago when I was first approached to portray her.
I honestly had never given much thought to the earlier years of Martha Washington’s life. In fact, the first time I told someone I played Martha Washington, their immediate reaction was “But you’re too young to play her!” Through this process, I have discovered most people have a very specific image of our Founding Fathers and Mothers in their heads. Many of those images come from portraits painted later in their lives, after their great accomplishments for our nation had been achieved. But as we all know, how you are remembered today is a direct result of the culmination of years that came before… including our first, First Lady.
So where did I start? I did what many people do when faced with an unknown question, I consulted with Google. I typed in “Young Martha Washington” out of sheer curiosity for what would pop up and one of the first results was a portrait painted in 1757 of a striking dark haired young lady (currently on display at our Art Museums). Her hair is pulled tightly back but you can just make out pearls in her updo. She has a bit of a widow’s peak and a very pronounced nose. She is wearing a blue and gold gown that was typical of the 1750s and is holding a dainty flower in her right hand. Who is this woman? This is Martha Dandridge Custis (eventually Washington).
Photo Courtesy: Washington-Custis-Lee Collection, Washington and Lee University
I’ve had the great honor and fortune to get to know this woman quite well over the past seven months.
You may be wondering how exactly you get to know someone who has been dead for more than 200 years. The answer: research, research, and yes, more research. My dining room table is littered with books, documents, papers, and pictures all relating to Martha’s life, specifically her younger years. Getting to know and understand this woman who lived in this town and walked the same streets I walk to work every day has been a truly unforgettable lesson in human nature.
What I soon discovered was the basic facts of her life are generally framed by the accomplishments of the men in her life. This is a common occurrence in the 18th century. Women are given a secondary role in our nation’s history. And on the surface, Martha has been relegated to the shadow of her illustrious second husband as well.
But if you dig deeper, you’ll find her story is one of an incredible woman who emerges into the light to stand on her own. Yes, in 1731, she was the first of eight children born to John and Frances Dandridge, but did you know she outlived all of her siblings? In 1750, she was married to Daniel Parke Custis at age 18, but have you heard the tale of how she gave a “prudent speech” to Daniel’s tyrannical father in an effort to convince him of her worth? She married Colonel George Washington in January of 1759, but did you know she outranked him socially at the time? Did you know Martha was inoculated from the smallpox and went to each and every winter camp during the Revolutionary War? And my personal favorite—did you know a soldier once yelled at President Washington, “What would you have been if you hadn’t married the Widow Custis?”¹ These are the stories that make Martha’s personal history come to life and start to add dimension to this remarkable woman.
Armed with the facts and the stories, I then started my search for the woman inside of them. For example, I uncovered Martha’s personality by reading letters she wrote to her family and friends. I embraced her fashion by reading the endless accounts of fabric and clothing orders she sent to England (by the way, she was a clothes horse!). And I discovered her interests by researching what books she kept in her library.
I have also driven out to New Kent and walked the very property where she lived. I’ve spent days at Mount Vernon speaking with their curators and historians, holding and touching the garments that belonged to her, taking in the view from the portico—the same view that greeted her every morning. I’ve put all that together to create a living breathing, three-dimensional person.
And what a woman she was. Martha Dandridge Custis Washington was vivacious, charming, intelligent, business-savvy, fearless and compassionate.
In 1802, an Alexandria newspaper described Martha in an obituary, as “…the worthy partner of the worthiest of men.”² Washington himself described her as “an agreeable consort for life.”³ The past seven months have proven to me that Martha was so much more than just a partner or consort. Her accomplishments are just as interesting, and in many cases, even more interesting than the men surrounding her. It’s time to give Martha the spotlight! And I plan to do just that…
My first endeavor as Mrs. Washington will begin on March 2 at the Hennage Auditorium as part of Women’s History Month. It’s a program called, Courage to be Lady Washington. It centers around two moments in her life, and our nation’s foundation, where she hesitated and the great courage it took to follow through. This is the first of many programs planned to bring Martha’s younger story to the forefront (and let George play the supporting role for a change!).
There is a great amount of responsibility placed upon those of us who portray real people. We are in a constant quest to “get it right”, to honor the history of these people, and yet make them accessible to a modern audience. It’s a responsibility that I do not take lightly.
Every morning as I start getting ready for the day, I take a moment to give a little nod upwards in hopes that Martha is smiling down on me. I have had the honor of becoming Mrs. Washington and I’m so looking forward to sharing her remarkable stories with you.
A special thank you to photographers Tom Green and Cindy McEnery for contributing to this post!
¹ Bryan, Helen. Martha Washington: First Lady of Liberty. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2002. pp ix.
² Fields, Joseph and McCallister, Ellen. Worthy Partner: The Papers of Martha Washington, The Life of Martha Washington. Greenwood Press, 1994. pp xxvii.
³ Bryan, Helen. Martha Washington: First Lady of Liberty. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2002. pp 128.
GUEST BLOGGER: KATHARINE PITTMAN
Katharine is a Nation Builder portraying young Martha Washington for Colonial Williamsburg. She credits her love of history to her mom and dad who took her and her big brother to Colonial Williamsburg and many other historic sites with great frequency as children. She got a degree from Wake Forest University in 2007 with a major in theatre and a minor in history, so yes…she is using her entire degree!
Katharine met her husband, Stewart, at Colonial Williamsburg in front of the Magazine and they now live happily on Duke of Gloucester street with their 6 year old brown hound, Savannah, and 16 year old “beagle thing”, George. She enjoys game nights with close friends, wine tastings at the Williamsburg Winery and endless cups of coffee from Aromas!
First so as not to confuse you I am posting on my husband Drews Facebook account. I have been fascinated by Martha Washington for over 35years it started with her biography by Alice Curtis Desmond, which if you haven’t read I strongly suggest it. Thank you for taking an interest in a truly remarkable lady. Patricia Gambino Harrington
I came to see you today at the Arts Museum theatre and loved every minute of your performance. Knowing very little about Mrs Washington, it has made me want to read more. My husband and sons, one of whom is studying at William and Mary as an overseas student this year, are all far more interested in the stories of the battles! As a woman, I find Martha’s story far more compelling, and your portrayal of her was brilliant. Thank you for that! Sarah , visiting from Kent, England. 23/10/16
I had the good fortune of seeing your performance last week while attending Colonial Williamsburg (my first time!). I love theater so when I saw this on the schedule for the day, I knew I would make attending a priority. I enjoyed your performance immensely! You were outstanding, and I learned so much. As a mother, I felt proud for your mother (in the audience that day). Your performance and enthusiasm for the subject has led me to return home with a desire to read more about Mrs. Washington. Thank you!
Glad to hear of the return of the young Martha Washington! If you haven’t already found it, look up Ogden Nash’s poem, “Watchman, What of the First First Lady.” In typical Nash form, he brilliantly notes how we have overlooked this truly remarkable woman. Happy to talk shop if you’re ever interested! (From the first Young Martha Washington). 😀
I would love to talk shop sometime and I will definitely look up that poem! It’s been a joy and a half researching her and bringing her story to life!
We just returned home from spending a week at Colonial Williamsburg with my family. We packed everything we could into each and every day. Our three daughters (13yo, 10yo, 10yo) had a blast. All of the activities and tours were hand-picked by me, my wife, and my mother-in-law. The girls were all so tired that they didn’t spend any time going through the daily schedules to see if there was anything we missed. Then, on the day of your program (last week) our oldest daughter, Lorna, picked up that day’s schedule and exclaimed that she’d like to see the Martha Washington special at the museum. I almost added it to the list just for her as I was planning the day but it just didn’t fit with everything else we wanted to do. I was so excited that she wanted to attend that I canceled plans that we had for another program and the two of us attended your program separate from the rest of the family. To say she enjoyed the presentation would be a huge understatement! She loved it!!!
I made notes during the program of the books you mentioned (The Sentiments of an American Woman, The Custis Chronicles I & II) so that she could read more about Martha. I’ve found a copy of “Sentiments” online and she is reading it as I type this to you. Unfortunately, I’ve yet to find a copy of either volume of “Custis Chronicles” that isn’t $140 or more either used or new. Are there any other books you might recommend that helped you in your studies of Martha Washington? Keep in mind that she’s 13. But, she’s an old 13. She can read and digest most anything that’s suited for junior high and high school reading.
Thank you so much for such a wonderful performance. It is one that we will both treasure for a long time to come.
- Jeff
Thank you for your kind words! I have enjoyed doing this show very much… and how wonderful that your little one wants to read up on Martha! I would recommend Patrica Brady’s work, Martha Washington An American Life as well as Helen Bryan’s work, Martha Washington: First Lady of Liberty. Patricia Brady’s is a little more “readable”. I’d suggest reading her’s first and if she really wants to get into the nuts and bolts of Martha’s life, go for Helen Bryan’s. Happy reading!
Hi Katharine:
I’m a Trustee of the Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House in Bedminster, NJ. We are looking for an actress who portrays a young and vibrant Martha Washington. I would love to talk with you about this. Would you please call me on my mobile at 201-400-3800. Thanks so much and I look forward to speaking with you. By the way, my son is a graduate of Wake Forest (2014). All the best,
Leslie Molé
Thank you Leslie! I have sent your response to my supervisor who handles all the requests for Nation Builders. I hope she gets back to you soon!
Was at the Hennage today and was so impressed! What a wonderful program and what an insight into a woman we almost never think of except as “Mrs. Washington” as if she hadn’t existed before marrying the Colonel. Indeed, as was shouted at him, where would he have been had he not married the Widow Custis? Perhaps the source of the old chestnut “Behind every successful man is a woman”!
Thank you so much for being there! Lee Ann and I were thrilled with the program and the positive response it got from our guests. We are so excited to continue this program through March and then begin the rest of the season with new programs throughout the year. I hope you’ll be able to catch all the new ones!
Although it is a lovely picture of Mrs. Pittman in her habit it really does not fit the character of Mrs. Washington. The habit appears to be based on Lady Worley who had her riding habit adopted from her husbands’ British regiment around 1775. It would seem more appropriate to a riding habit based on General George Washington her husband and a patriot.
Amanda, you are absolutely correct that the riding habit in the picture is based off of Lady Worley’s riding habit. The fine folks at our Costume Design Center wanted to invoke Martha Custis’ opulence and power during her widowhood from 1757-1759 by putting me in this habit for the purposes of the photoshoot. It was also chosen because it is documented that early in her marriage she had a red riding habit. We are currently in the process of creating a full wardrobe based on 1750s and 1760s styles that match her orders to England as well as portraits that we have of her. Our CDC and Millinery crew are working together on the project!
To present the best interpretation of the historical character, Martha Dandridge Custis Washington is quite a tremendous work, however, true to CW’s tradition, I am sure will be accurate and remarkably educational, let alone entertaining. Best of luck Ms. Pittman, um, Lady Washington!
Thank you so much! I am enjoying the process very much and am looking forward to continuing my research and development of this very remarkable woman!
I noticed the books on your table and was wondering if you could recommend some books on Martha Washington. I have been interested in her for many years and am always looking for something new to read. Thanks for sharing your journey to ” becoming” Martha!
Of course! The two best books that are solely about Martha that I have found to be very helpful are Patricia Brady’s work, Martha Washington: An American Life and Helen Bryan’s work, Martha Washington: First Lady of Liberty. Joseph Fields has compiled Martha’s papers in his book, Worthy Partner if you want to check those out (UVA is also in the process of digitizing all of her papers as well!).
If you want to dig deeper into the Custis family, James B. Lynch, Jr.’s work, The Custis Chronicles are the best way to go. Those are in two volumes, the first being about the foundation of the family in Europe and the second about the Virginia generations. I recommend the Virginia generations volume if you are interested in the Custis’ revolving around Martha.
As far as books about George and Martha: Bruce Chadwick’s book, The General and Mrs. Washington is a great book as is the newest book on the subject, Flora Fraser’s The Washingtons: George and Martha, Join’d by Friendship, Crown’d by Love.
I am also currently reading Mary V. Thompson’s book, In the Hands of a Good Providence, Religion in the Life of George Washington, which is a very fascinating study into George Washington’s religious life.
Hope that is a good jumping off point! Happy reading!
I was so excited to see programs focusing on a younger Martha scheduled. Now I’m even more excited to meet her through you. Your obvious dedication to your task speaks to the quality of the programs we are going to see. I can’t wait!!
Thank you very much! I’m very excited to share her stories from a part of her life that not many people know much about.
Great post enjoyable reading. Thank you
Thank you for your kind words!
I love Miss Martha at any age she is such an interesting woman. I sincerely hope your programs continue into November when we make our annual trip to Colonial Williamsburg . This will be our 34th year of visiting CW, we love every minute. Good luck in all you do.
Thank you so much! I look forward to seeing you in November!
I am most eager to hear/see you in telling the story of Martha Washington! Your Blog is exceptional in wanting to know more of the young Martha.
Thank you so much! She has been a joy to get to know over these last seven months and I look forward to many more with her! She had quite a life and I’m honored to be able to shed some light on her younger years.
I think you will make Martha Dandridge Custis Washington a very happy angel. That was one amazing woman, long before she married George. She was by far, socially, his superior and if I’m not thinking incorrectly, as widow Custis, she almost married someone else before George. She was a curageous, competant, patient with him, woman, who managed a huge estate, for the most part on her own for a good part of their lives. Yes she had help, slaves, probably an overseer or farm manager, a miller, among others, but in the end, she was the boss while he was gone which was more often than not. She put up with some things many woman would not, as George’s travels often resulted in many rumors of his frolicing among other women. She truely was an amazing woman and perhaps the reason for much of his sucess. I think you look so much like her you will make a wonderful Martha Dandridge Custis Washington.
You are correct.. she was being pursued by Charles Carter of Cleve at the same time that Colonel Washington was courting her! She was quite a lady and such a strong woman. Thank you for your kind words!