When I was a child and traveling with my parents, it seemed a common occurrence to see small signs posted at various places that claimed “George Washington Slept Here.” So it seemed appropriate to me, with tomorrow’s release of Becoming Lady Washington, to share a “Martha Washington Slept Here” list of places gleaned from my research into her life and times.
With the pandemic-related closings, you may not be able to visit these places in person just yet, but you can virtually! Some of the buildings are no longer standing or open to the public. Still, you may find it interesting to learn more about the kinds of mansions and homes Martha spent time at, including those used as George Washington’s Headquarters during the American Revolution. Here’s the list sorted alphabetically, not by chronological order:
Alexander Macomb House
(President’s House)
39-41 Broadway
New York, NY
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Macomb_House
Chestnut Grove Plantation
(Dandridge Home)
New Kent County, VA
http://marthawashington.us/items/show/96
Elsing Green Plantation
(Aunt Unity Dandridge Home)
King William County, VA
https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/historic-registers/050-0022/
Eltham Plantation
(Bassett Home)
New Kent County, VA
http://www.vintagedesigns.com/architecture/ggn/eltham/
Ford Mansion
(Washington’s HQ)
30 Washington Place
Morristown, NJ
https://www.nps.gov/morr/learn/historyculture/ford-mansion-washington-s-headquarters.htm
Isaac Potts House
(Washington’s HQ – Valley Forge)
1400 North Outer Line Drive
King of Prussia, PA
https://www.nps.gov/vafo/learn/historyculture/washingtons_headquarters.htm
Jonathan Hasbrouck’s House
(Washington’s HQ)
84 Liberty Street
Newburgh, NY
https://parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/17/details.aspx
Kenmore
(Lewis Home)
1201 Washington Avenue
Fredericksburg, VA
https://kenmore.org/
Mount Vernon
(Washington Home)
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
Mount Vernon, VA
www.mountvernon.org
Rippon Lodge
(Blackburn’s Home – friends)
15500 Blackburn Road
Woodbridge, VA 22191
https://www.virginia.org/Listings/HistoricSites/RipponLodgeHistoricSite/
Robert Morris House
(President’s House)
6th and Market Streets
Philadelphia, PA
http://www.ushistory.org/presidentshouse/history/briefhistory.htm
Rockingham
(Washington’s HQ)
84 Laurel Avenue
Kingston, NJ
https://www.rockingham.net/
Samuel Osgood House
(First Presidential Mansion)
1 Cherry Street
New York, NY
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Osgood_House_(New_York_City)
Six Chimneys House
(Custis Home)
Williamsburg, VA
https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/learn/research-and-education/archaeology/custis-square-archaeology-project/
Vassal Craigie Longfellow House
(Washington’s HQ)
105 Brattle Street
Cambridge, MA
http://www.nps.gov/long/index.htm
John Wallace House
(Washington’s HQ)
71 Somerset Street
Somerville, NJ
http://www.wallacehouseassociation.org/wallacehouse.htm
White House Plantation
(Custis Home)
New Kent County, VA
http://marthawashington.us/items/show/3
These are all of the places that I can confirm where she spent the night with family and friends. Of course, it’s known that she went visiting neighbors frequently but it’s unclear whether she stayed overnight.
Don’t forget! Tomorrow Becoming Lady Washington will be available for your reading pleasure. I’m so excited about sharing Martha Washington’s story with my readers! I hope you’ll buy your own copy to read and enjoy.
If you buy a print copy, I will be happy to autograph a free bookplate and mail it to you to stick inside the front cover. Just email me your name and address (betty@bettybolte.com) and I’ll put it in the mail to you. Thanks in advance for supporting me by buying my books!
Happy reading!
Betty
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Visit www.bettybolte.com for more on my books and upcoming events.
Martha “Patsy” Custis manages an immense eighteenth-century plantation in the Virginia colony. But as a young widow she’s hard pressed to balance her business and to care for her two young children. They need a father and protector. She needs a husband and business partner…one she can trust, especially now as tensions rise between the motherland and the American colonies. Her experience and education have sustained her thus far but when her life veers in an unexpected direction, she realizes she has so much more to learn.
Colonel George Washington takes an interest in her and she’s surprised to find him so sociable and appealing. They form an instant bond and she is certain he’ll be a likeable and loving husband and father figure for her children. She envisions a quiet life at Mount Vernon, working together to provide for their extended family.
But when trouble in the form of British oppression, taxes, and royal arrogance leads to revolt and revolution, George must choose between duty to country and Martha. Compelled to take matters into her own hands, Martha must decide whether to remain where she belongs or go with her husband…no matter what the dangerous future may hold.
Betty Bolte's Musings 