Im doing a report on Martha Washington i need info on her eny info or websites i can go 2?

Question

Im doing a report on Martha Washington i need info on her eny info or websites i can go 2?

Answer 1

In 'Wild Women in the White House' Autumn Stephens writes:

'Reputedly the richest woman in Virginia when she wed George in 1759, Martha, a widow of twenty-seven, re-entered the state of matrimony with two small children and a slightly risque reputation attached.   Not known in her pre-George days for dmeureness or for dignity, she amused herself by riding her horse up and down her uncle's front steps, aggressively purused her first husband (a wealthy tobacco farmer some twenty years her senior),and, as heir to his plantation, harassed various london merchants by letter, shamelessly demanding an "uncommon Price" for her goods.

But in 1789, when Husband Number Two snagged the position of president Number One, Martha meekly turned her attention to the topic of just how the chief executive's wife should act, and also what she should be called.  And so, it seems did the rest of the just-hatched nation, then preocupied with both the practical and the symbolic details of how to set up a democracy.  The U.S. Senate convened to consider a suitable title for George. "His Highness" and "His Excellency" among the numerous options.  As for his spouse, suggestions ranged from "Marquise" to "Mrs" not until 1849 would the term "First lady" (in reference to the deceased Dolly Madison) be verbally bandied about, and in the end Martha remained "Lady Washington".

Regrettably, the government did not also dictate protocol to the crowds that collected in New York and Philadelphia (only with the completion of rthe White House in 1800 would presidents officially reside in Washington), whenever Lady Washington stepped out of her front door. "I am more like a state prisoner than naything else" she complained to her sister.."As i cannot do what I like I am obstinate and stay at home a good deal."

Even in her own drawing room, however, a critical eye was cast on Martha.  To many, her appraoch to official entertainment (stone-faced in her seat, she nodded stiffly as female visitors curtsied at her feet) seemed a touch too Marie Antoinette.  One acquaintance derided her as "an awkward imitation of royalty".  but the objections of a U.S> congressman took another tack "In old countries" he carped "a Lady of her rank would not be seen without a retinue of twenty persons."

Almost tow centuries after George Washington left office in 1797, Americans still hadn't managed to reach concensus concerning appropriate conduct for a presidential spouse.  But from day one, the nation's premier first partner knew exactly what to make of a perennially fickle populace. "I am still determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may be." Lady Washington wrote shortly after her husband's inauguration. But , she noted, "I have learned too much of the vanity of human affairs to expect felicity from the scenes of public life."