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Several months later, in the spring of 1759, Martha Washington arrived at Mount Vernon with her two children, John Parke Custis (Jacky), age 4½ and Martha Parke Custis (Patsy), age 2½. The next sixteen years of Martha Washington's life have often been called "the golden years" at Mount Vernon. While they had no children of their own, the Washingtons raised Martha's two children.
The life they lived was rather typical of Virginia planters of the period. George Washington was busy overseeing his lands and business ventures while taking an active role in Virginia politics and society. Over the years, he began to expand Mount Vernon, buying additional lands for farming and beginning to enlarge the home and outbuildings. Martha Washington was supervising the education of her children and making sure that the domestic operations of the plantation ran smoothly. Some of the happiness of those years was tempered by the chronic illness of Martha's daughter, Patsy, who suffered from epilepsy. Patsy died in the summer of 1773, when she was just 17, after a severe seizure.
Like most couples, the Washingtons had a mixture of personal similarities and differences. Both of them loved horses and dogs and enjoyed life in the country, as well as gardening. They shared a strong work ethic, rising early each day to get a quick start on things that needed to be done. Both were the oldest children in their families, which probably gave them each a serious approach to life and a strong sense of responsibility. Both liked to keep up with current affairs by reading newspapers - George Washington subscribed to 10.
As for their differences -- George Washington was more than a foot taller than his wife. When Martha wanted to get his attention, she grasped him by his lapels and pulled down to her height! Also, as a young man, George Washington wanted the excitement of a career in the British navy, but one friend reported that his wife did "not Love the water" and given a choice, preferred to travel by land. In fact she did not enjoy traveling that much at all, preferring to be home at Mount Vernon with family and friends. Her husband, by all accounts, loved traveling and while President visited all 13 states. He was a moderate eater, while she had a hearty appetite. Further, while he was quiet and even a little reserved with strangers, she was, by all accounts, warm, vivacious, and talkative.
In the 18th century, land was a primary indicator of wealth and success. Over the years, George Washington continually purchased additional land, both around Mount Vernon and in the West. Together the Washingtons made plans for expanding, decorating, and furnishing their home to reflect their place in society. The work on improving their home must have seemed continual to Mrs. Washington. Her husband once wrote:
"I have scarcely a room to put a friend in or set in myself without the music of hammers or the odoriferous smell of paint."
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As inconvenient as it must have been, Mrs. Washington's responsibility was to ensure that each and every guest was comfortable while visiting her home and not too put out by the "litter and dust".
A staff of about 6 slaves worked in the mansion under the direction of Frank Lee, the enslaved butler. Mrs. Washington directed the work of the house slaves, probably giving her instructions to Frank who then directly supervised them. There were two housemaids: Caroline and Molly. Caroline had the responsibility of lighting the fire in the Washington's bedroom each morning at 4:30. Molly, Mrs. Washington's chambermaid, would bring up clean water, lay out Mrs. Washington's clothes, and help her dress. Christopher Sheels, George Washington's manservant, would assist him in whatever way the General requested.
