November 6 —- Washington appointed to the rank of major in the Virginia Militia.

1754-1758

Washington’s military service in the French and Indian War

1754

John (“Jacky”) Parke Custis born to Martha and Daniel Parke Custis.

Mount Vernon became George’s, when Lawrence Washington’s only daughter died at the age of four.

1757

Martha (“Patsy”) Parke Custis born to Martha and Daniel Parke Custis Daniel Parke Custis died suddenly, and Martha Custis became a wealthy widow.

1758

Colonel George Washington paid two spring visits to Martha Custis, whereupon they became engaged.

July 24 —- Washington elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses, where he continuously served until the American Revolutionary War.

1759

January 6 —- George married the widowed Mrs. Martha Dandridge Custis.

April 6 —- Martha and George Washington, with Martha’s two children, John Parke Custis and Martha “Patsy” Custis, took up residence at a remodeled Mount Vernon and began their new family life with Col. George Washington, the consummate Virginian gentleman farmer.

1762

October 25 —- Following in his father’s footsteps, Washington became a vestryman in the Truro Parish in Fairfax County, a position he held through the Revolutionary War.

1763

October 3 —- Assumed position as Warden of Pohick Church in Truro Parish.

1765

September 20 —- Disapproved of Stamp Act in letter to Martha’s uncle, Francis Dandridge in England.

1770

October 5 — Began journey to the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers in Indian Country to secure claims on lands given in payment to himself and fellow soldiers for service in the French and Indian War.

1773

June 19 —- Patsy Parke Custis, Washington’s stepdaughter, died at Mount Vernon of what was likely an epileptic seizure.

July 5 —- John Parke Custis wrote to his mother Martha Washington, “Things My dear Mother were going on in this agreeable Manner, till last Thursday, the day I received Pappa’s melancholy Letter, giving an account of my dear & only Sister’s Death....she enjoys that Bliss prepared only for the good & virtuous,...comfort yourself with reflecting that she now enjoys in substance what we in this world enjoy in imagination & that there is no real Happiness on this side of the grave. ...remember you are a Christian and that we ought to submit with Patience to the divine Will and that to render you happy shall be the constant care of your affectionate and dutiful son.”³⁸

1774

February 3 —- John Parke Custis married Eleanor Calvert, who became the parents of Nelly Custis and George Washington Parke Custis, who lived after John’s death with the Washingtons at Mount Vernon. Mrs. Washington, still being in mourning over the death of Patsy, did not attend the wedding, but is said to have sent a letter of love to Eleanor through George, who did attend.³⁹

1775-1783

Commander in chief of the American Army in the Revolutionary War. George’s cousin Lund Washington (1737-1796) took care of Mount Vernon during the war.

1775

June 15 —- Congress commissions Washington as commander in chief of the American Army.

June 18 —- General Washington writes to Martha that he reluctantly agreed to lead the American Revolutionary Army. As a result, Washington would be gone from Mount Vernon for eight years.

December 11 —- Martha arrived at Cambridge to winter with General Washington at his headquarters. Tradition claims that she said she arrived at the last fire of the last battle of the year, and departed at the first fire of the first battle of the year, throughout the war. She spent every winter of the war with General Washington at his headquarters.

1777

December —- Anna Maria Bassett, Martha Washington’s sister, and mother of Fanny Bassett (1767-1796), died.

1779

Granddaughter Eleanor Parke Custis born (1779-1852).

1781

Stepson John Parke Custis served as a civilian aide to General Washington.

Grandson George Washington Parke Custis born (1781-1857). November 5 —- John Parke Custis died less than three weeks after the British surrender at Yorktown. This occurred at Eltham, near Williamsburg at the home of his aunt and uncle, Anna Maria and Burwell Bassett. He had contracted camp fever or typhoid at the Battle of Yorktown. His wife, Eleanor Calvert, Martha Washington, and General Washington were all present when he died.

1783

At Mount Vernon, Mrs. Washington cared for the younger two of the four children of her deceased son, John Parke Custis.