Martha_Washington

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Dr. Diane Howard

Dr. Diane Howard is a Professor of Performance Studies at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. She has performed all her adult life in a broad range of projects and productions. (See her complete resume and vitae.) She is a solo performer of autobiographies of fascinating, historic women. She has been commissioned by regional SAR and DAR chapters in Texas to produce autobiographical presentations of Martha Washington. Dr. Howard is an international leader in autobiographical writing and performing. McGraw-Hill published her book on this subject, Autobiographical Writing and Performing.

Dr. Howard performed an excerpt of her script, Martha Washington's Dilemmas, at the Performance Studies International Conference, Theaters of Life, at NYU in New York City in April 2002. She has continued to perform scripts she has written concerning the life of Martha Washington for civic organizations and school groups. She has performed Martha Washington's story for the City Federation of Women's Clubs in Temple, TX. Further, she has given presentations on autobiographical writing and performing for many regional organizations.

In the script below, Dr. Howard presents the story of Martha Washington by performing both a Mt. Vernon tour guide and Mrs. Washington. Professor Howard performs Martha's inner struggles, revealed in her letters, with her life as the wife of the first president, who was also a great land and slave owner.

In Texas, Dr. Howard is available to present the life of Martha Washington through the Cultural Activities Center of Temple, Texas. She can also be commissioned through the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor's Communication and Media Studies Dept. or personally at dhoward@vvm.com.

Set Free!

Copyright © 1999
Diane E. Howard, Ph.D.

Scene 1

AT RISE:                                                                         As the lights come up,
                                                                                        the performer as a present day
                                                                                        tour guide in a colonial gown
                                                                                        approaches the audience from SR.

Tour Guide

Welcome to Mt. Vernon. I am your tour guide. Today I will tell you the story of the great lady who lived in this house, Martha Dandridge Custis Washington. In 1757, Martha Custis left the graveside of her first husband, Daniel Custis. At twenty-six years of age and having been married only eight years, Martha Custis inherited her husband’s estate and became the wealthiest widow in Virginia. Martha’s life had always been marked by privilege, but her adult life was also marked by pain.

She had been born in 1731 as the first of many children born to Colonel John and Frances Dandridge, who were wealthy Virginia planters and first class aristocrats. Their home was filled with European elegance. Like other privileged women of her time, Martha was educated at home with emphasis on the skills she would need to take her place in Virginia society. Having been instructed in the management of a great country house, she became skilled at the fine arts of homemaking and developed gentle, good manners. She was taught to read and to write in order to carry on polite correspondence. Her reading primarily consisted of the Bible, sermons, and histories.

In 1746, Martha Dandridge had met the eligible bachelor Daniel Custis, who was thirteen years her senior. Daniel was the son of Colonel John Custis, one of the wealthiest men in Virginia and master of the estate called the White House. In 1749, before her eighteenth birthday Martha married Daniel Custis. Later that year Daniel’s father, Colonel Custis, died leaving his son Daniel his total estate and the title of Colonel. Life for Colonel and Mrs. Custis revolved around the privileged activities of their estate. Within five years, Martha bore Daniel two children, but they both died in early childhood. She bore Daniel two more children who survived. Daughter Martha, called Patsy, was born in 1755 and son, John Parke, called Jacky, in 1757. Shortly after Jacky’s birth, Martha’s husband Daniel died.

In May of 1754, a skirmish between a French detachment and a small British, colonial army had broken out at Great Meadows, Pennsylvania, which initiated the French and Indian War. In command of the British troops was Lt. Colonel George Washington, then twenty-four years old. He distinguished himself as a brave but amateur commander. Washington became a hero in the eyes of Virginians. In December 1754, he inherited Mount Vernon. In 1755, he was commissioned as a full colonel and commander of the Virginia forces. By 1758, the long, slow war had taken a toll on Washington’s health. He developed chronic dysentery. On a trip to seek the assistance of physicians, Washington was invited to dinner where he was introduced to a young widow, Martha Custis. After a pleasant meal, George and Martha found themselves alone. They talked until morning. A week later George visited Martha in her home. They enjoyed a lovely dinner and stroll.

(BLACKOUT)

Scene 2

AT RISE:                                                                         The performer as Martha is seated on a bench.
                                                                                        She is wearing a bonnet and a cape.

MARTHA

Why, yes, Colonel Washington, I accept your proposal. I understand that I may not see you until the day of our wedding. I understand that you must leave for the campaign against the French. I suggest we have our wedding at the Custis plantation and then I will leave with you for Mt. Vernon. I will manage your estate well. I will entertain your guests when you are home. And I will miss you when you are gone.

(BLACKOUT)

Scene 3

AT RISE: The performer in the original gown without
bonnet and cape approaches the audience from SL.

Tour Guide

In 1759, George and Martha Washington were married. The task of civilizing George’s Mount Vernon fell to Martha. George was gone a great deal. When he was home, he loved to make a fine show and Martha often lavishly entertained his guests. George was very fond of Patsy and Jacky and adopted them. Unfortunately, the Washingtons lost Patsy in 1773 in the midst of an epileptic seizure. In 1774, Jacky disappointed them by dropping out of college and by marrying young. In August 1774, George was appointed to the first Continental Congress and in 1775 to the second Continental Congress. On June 15, 1775, he was appointed commander of the all the colonial armies. He broke the news to Martha through a letter addressed to his dear Patsy.

(BLACKOUT)

Scene 4

AT RISE:                                                                        The performer as Martha is wearing a shawl
                                                                                        over her gown and is seated on a rocking
                                                                                        chair reading her husband’s letter
                                                                                        aloud.

Martha

My dear Patsy, I assure you, in the most solemn manner that, so far from seeking this appointment, I have used every endeavor in my power to avoid it, not only from my unwillingness to part with you and the family, but from the consciousness of its being a trust too great for my capacity, and that I should enjoy more real happiness with you at home. I cannot predict when I shall be home. I counsel you to take up residence farther inland. Your Old Man

(BLACKOUT)

Scene 5

AT THE RISE: The performer approaches the audience DC.
She is wearing the original gown.

Tour Guide

Martha remained at Mount Vernon. She kept it in constant readiness for her "Old Man." In July 1775,
George Washington established his headquarters at Cambridge, outside Boston. Throughout that fall, the general drove himself and his men to the point of exhaustion in preparing for the assault on Boston. In November Martha finally received a brief note from George saying that she might come to spend the winter at his headquarters. She returned his correspondence.

(BLACKOUT)

Scene 6

AT RISE:                                                                       The performer as Martha is seated at a writing desk.
                                                                                      She is wearing a shawl. She reads a letter she has
                                                                                      just written.

Martha

My dear old man, I will leave for you quickly. In Cambridge I will set myself to the task of organizing the wives of the officers, to knit socks and caps, and to make bandages. I will act as your assistant, copying letters and organizing correspondence. I will conduct myself as a strong American woman.

(BLACKOUT)

Scene 7

AT RISE: The performer in the original gown approaches the
audience from SR.

Tour Guide

In 1776, George Washington set up headquarters in New York. With sighting of the British, he insisted that Martha return home. On the trip home she stopped in Philadelphia and heard the pealing of the State House bell signaling the signing of the Declaration of Independence. She knew that now the Americans must win or their families would be the victims of British reprisals. Throughout the next seven years, Martha would join George at winter headquarters. Again and again she would knit and sew for the tattered soldiers. She would work as well in the ghastly field hospitals. Martha made a great impression on all that met her. She became a symbol of the gallant, new American woman.

In 1781, Jacky Custis joined George at Yorktown as his aide. Cornwallis was defeated at Yorktown. But before this victory could be enjoyed, Jack Cutis fell ill to typhus and died. Although the last shot of the war was fired at Yorktown, no clear settlement had been reached. George retired to winter headquarters two more times and Martha joined him. In December 1783, Martha finally welcomed George, the private citizen, home to Mount Vernon. They never had much privacy, however. Martha entertained constant visitors. By 1787 severe American problems indicated the need for a stronger government. A new constitution was written calling for a president to head the executive branch. On April 14, 1788, George Washington was elected president. Martha set up house in New York and bore the constant strain of social obligations. She wrote to the wife of George’s nephew, Fanny Washington.

(BLACKOUT)

Scene 8

AT RISE:                                                                          Martha is seated at the writing desk. She finishes
                                                                                         writing a letter and reads it aloud.
                                                                                         She is wearing her shawl.

Martha

My dear Fanny, Apart from the brief hours of seclusion, between the time I retire to bed and my early rising, I constantly bear my social obligations. I engage in careful conversation, nod assent to the Federalist cause, force politeness to the members of the opposition, and take care to refer to George as "the president." I live a very dull life here. Indeed, I am more like a prisoner than anything else. There are certain bounds that are set for me, which I must not depart from, and I cannot do as I like.

(BLACKOUT)

Scene 9

AT RISE:                                                                          The performer as narrator in the original gown
                                                                                         approaches the audience from SL.

Tour Guide

In 1790, Congress acted to establish a new capital city on the banks of the Potomac. In the interim the capital was moved to Philadelphia. Martha complained that most of the Philadelphia elite were shallow and excessively gay. She felt the majority of social events were tedious exercises in superficial manners. During the eight years of their presidency, formal dinners were a constant occurrence. In 1796, George was asked to run for a third term in office, but he refused. He had served his country for forty-five years. Martha shared her joys and challenges with an old friend.

(BLACKOUT)

Scene 10

AT RISE: Martha is seated on the edge of the rocking chair,
wearing her shawl.

Martha

I cannot tell you how much I enjoy being home after the lost years living in New York and Philadelphia. The general and I feel like children released from school. We are jealous of our enjoyment and are loath to share it with anyone, yet almost every day a stranger claims a portion of it and we cannot refuse. Constant demands are placed upon my time by the arrival of these strangers. Despite my long days, I still try to take time with George and try to rise at dawn and retire early to read the scriptures and to pray.

(BLACKOUT)

Scene 11

AT RISE: The tour guide in the original gown approaches
the audience from SR.

Tour Guide

In the last year of his life, George found less time than ever to attend to the needs of his plantation. Martha,
had always managed Mt. Vernon. War threatened again from France. George was pressed into his role again as commander of the American armies. Although war was never declared, Washington poured his energy into reorganizing the American army in 1798 and 1799. Martha wrote of her situation to a confidante in 1799.

(BLACKOUT)

Scene 12

AT RISE: Martha is seated at writing desk.
She read aloud a letter she has just finished writing.

Martha

In recent years it has been difficult in ways I didn’t expect. We have had so little time together since he turned in his resignation in Philadelphia. These two years have passed so quickly, especially since so much of our time has been consumed with entertaining George’s visitors from all over the world. And then that old curmudgeon, John Adams, had the nerve to ask George out of retirement to help the military with the French threat. Adams knew that George could never say no. Adams knew that George would struggle into his old uniform once again and transform pitifully unprepared farmer-soldiers into fighting men. If only he knew how sick George was sometimes. I always tell him that even his admirers are careless of him. However, he is careless with himself. After surveying the frontier, surviving the dreadful winter at Valley Forge, overcoming illnesses during the Revolution, and escaping injury in the midst of terrible gunfire during the French and Indian War, he seems to believe himself indestructible.

(BLACKOUT)

Scene 13

AT RISE: Martha is standing by the rocking chair
looking into it as if George is there.

Martha

George, I am worried about you. Why were you out riding on this damp and dreary December day. You are shivering and and your voice is stuffy. I am worried. Yes, I will see to the lame horse and the washout in the fields. (She steps aside as if to speak to a doctor in the room.) Yes, Dr. Craik, I understand that George has quinsy and his tonsils are inflamed. We will go after your physician friends. (She steps aside and calls a servant.) Billy Lee, ride all night to Alexandria to bring Dr. Craik’s associates. Why are you hesitant? I need you to help me. We may lose General Washington!

(BLACKOUT)

Scene 14

AT RISE:                                                                         The performer in the original gown approaches
                                                                                        the audience from SL.

Tour Guide

The next day as the three physicians bled George, the house servants waited solemnly outside his door. Martha believed this was partly because they loved him. But, she also believed that they waited because they had heard that upon his death and hers, they would be freed. On December 14, 1799, the man with whom Martha Washington had shared her life for forty years died. She appreciated the lowering of flags all over the country and the reading of eulogies for her husband. She appreciated the many beautiful tributes that were given for him. She was amused, however, by myths that developed and enlarged his legend. She believed that George was a man of great deeds, but that he was not a man of scholarly ideas. She knew that he was slow reader and a poor speller. She knew that he had signed a miserable surrender, when he was captured in the battle of Great Meadows, because he knew no French. She had assisted him with matters of culture. She had added five hundred acres of land to his estate, which she supervised and managed. She recognized that the only child they had together was the infant nation, which had needed constant nurturing, had consumed attention, and had kept away her dear old man. She had appreciated his companionship, even though there were many challenges and threats to their privacy. Following his death, she had another challenge and threat to resolve.

(BLACKOUT)

Scene 15

AT RISE:                                                                         Martha Washington is sitting at
                                                                                        the desk, finishing writing in
                                                                                        her journal with a feather pen.
                                                                                        She picks up the journal to read
                                                                                      her entry.

MARTHA

Alone. Outlived children and husbands. Servants waiting for me to die - to be set free. Slavery was repugnant to George. He did not consult me....His will freed half of his slaves. Some to be freed after both our deaths. Here
I am in a frightening prison. I am afraid to be alone in any room of this house. I am afraid to eat. I could be poisoned. Awoke this morning with clear resolve. Will go today to Fairfax County court to sign papers to set free from servitude all of the slaves. Then I will be set free.

(Martha rises from her desk and exits.)

(BLACKOUT)

Scene 16

AT RISE: From DC the performer approaches
the audience as the tour guide.

Tour Guide

George’s body was interred in a vault here at Mount Vernon. Their bedroom, his death chamber, was sealed and Martha moved to small attic room where she could look on her husband’s grave. On May 22, 1802, on the seventeenth day of a severe fever, she requested the last sacraments from her minister. Wearing a special white gown for the occasion, she addressed assembled grandchildren and relatives in a strong voice. She spoke of the great value of religion, of the need for attention to practical duties, and of the importance of doing for others. After her speech, she laid back on her pillow and closed her eyes. A few hours later, she died quietly in her sleep.