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
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 Washingtons 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. It can be reached from the intersection of New Kent Highway and Courthouse Circle. The marker is located on the lawn in
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on the Peninsula and in Coastal Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Tidewater. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking 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); a different marker also named James Lafayette (a few steps from this marker); Confederate Memorial (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named New Kent Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 28, 2009
2. Martha Washington's Birthplace Marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. New Kent Courthouse (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Also see . . .
1. Martha Washingtons 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 Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2021
3. Martha Washington's Birthplace Marker
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
“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 8,372 times since then and 401 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.
