1731
June 2: Martha Dandridge is born at Chestnut Grove Plantation in New Kent County, Virginia, the oldest of eight children born to John Dandridge and his wife, Frances Jones.

1750
May 15: Martha Dandridge marries socially prominent Daniel Parke Custis.

1751
Martha Dandridge Custis gives birth to her first child, Daniel Parke Custis.

1753
Martha Dandridge Custis gives birth to her second child, Frances Parke Custis.

1754
Daniel, the oldest child of Daniel and Martha Custis dies at the age of three.

On November 27th of that year, Martha gives birth to her third child, John Parke Custis who will be known in the family as "Jacky" or "Jack."

1756
Martha Dandridge Custis gives birth to her fourth and last child, Martha Parke Custis, who will be known in the family as "Patsy."

1757
Frances, second child of Daniel and Martha Custis dies at the age of four.

July: Daniel Parke Custis dies suddenly, leaving Martha one of the wealthiest widows in Virginia, with two small children to raise alone.

1759
January 6: Martha Dandridge Custis marries George Washington in a ceremony at her home, The White House. The couple and the bride's two surviving children move to Mount Vernon in the spring of that year.