New Kent in New Kent County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Martha Washington's Birthplace

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 28, 2009

1. Martha Washington's Birthplace Marker

Inscription. About two miles northeast stood Chestnut Grove, the plantation home of John and Frances Jones Dandridge, where Martha Dandridge, the eldest of eight children, was born on 2 June 1731. She lived there until 15 May 1750, when she married Daniel Parke Custis and moved to his plantation, White House, on the Pamunkey River. According to tradition, the wedding took place at Chestnut Grove. Custis died in 1757, and two years later Martha Custis married George Washington. Chestnut Grove, a two-story frame house with six rooms, burned in 1926.

Erected 1998 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number WO-18.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Colonial Era • Women. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR), and the Washington’s Burgess Routes series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is June 2, 1731.

Location. 37° 31.069′ N, 76° 58.714′ W. Marker is in New Kent, Virginia, in New Kent County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of New Kent Highway and Courthouse Circle. The marker is located on the lawn in front of the New Kent County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Kent VA 23124, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

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distance of this marker. John Parke Custis / Martha Dandridge (here, next to this marker); Samuel Wilson Crump (1919-1995) (a few steps from this marker); James Lafayette (a few steps from this marker); Confederate Memorial (a few steps from this marker); New Kent Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to New Kent (within shouting distance of this marker); A Tale of Three Structures (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Wilson House: Witness to Three Centuries (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Kent.

Also see . . .
1. Martha Washington’s Birthplace. Encyclopedia Virginia (Submitted on April 7, 2009.)

2. Biography of Martha Washington - Birth and Childhood at Chestnut Grove. Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association (Submitted on April 7, 2009.)

3. Chestnut Grove - Home of Martha Washington. New Kent County Photographs. (Submitted on April 7, 2009.)

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 28, 2009

2. Martha Washington's Birthplace Marker

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2021

3. Martha Washington's Birthplace Marker

Martha Washington image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, February 16, 2015

4. Martha Washington

This 1796 portrait of Martha Washington by Gilbert Stuart, known as the “Athenaeum” portrait, hangs in the National Gallery in Washington DC.

“Gilbert Stuart painted this portrait of Martha Washington at the same time he did that of the president. Both paintings were, commissioned by the Washingtons. They were never completed, however, and, the artist kept them in his possession until his death. Although Stuart made many copies of the president's portrait, no other likeness of Martha Washington by Stuart is known to exist.” — National Gallery of Art

Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 7, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 4,936 times since then and 182 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 7, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on March 2, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on October 26, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.