Mount Vernon was home to generations of mothers.
Martha Washington
Martha Washington raised her two children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren at Mount Vernon. She also helped raise a number of others throughout her life.
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Mary Ball Washington was the mother of George Washington and five other children.
Doll
Doll was the matriarch of one of the largest extended families within Mount Vernon’s enslaved community. By 1799, she had five children, 14 grandchildren, and at least four great-grandchildren living on the estate.
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Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis
Eleanor Parke Custis was raised by her grandmother, Martha Washington, at Mount Vernon. She would have eight children, but only three survived to adulthood.
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Caroline Branham
Caroline Branham worked as a housemaid for the Washingtons. She and her husband Peter Hardiman had eight children together.
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Martha Parke Custis Peter
Martha Parke Custis was born at Mount Vernon in 1777 and named after her grandmother. She would become the mother of eight children. Her oldest, a girl also named Martha, was the first of Martha and George Washington’s great-grandchildren.
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Eliza Parke Custis Law
Elizabeth "Eliza" Parke Custis Law was the eldest of Martha Washington's four surviving grandchildren. Her only child, Eliza, was born in 1797.
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In July 1798, Priscilla gave birth to Christopher, her sixth living child. Her husband Joe lived on another of Washington's farms and could only visit on Sundays and holidays. As a result of these living arrangements, Priscilla raised her children largely alone.
Fanny Bassett Washington
After the death of her mother, Fanny Bassett was raised by her aunt, Martha Washington. Fanny then went on to raise her children at Mount Vernon.
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Women's History Books
Explore books that highlight women's roles in history.
The Washington Family
While never a biological father, George Washington had a large family and helped raise many children.
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