Home at Last
America's First Ladies
Martha and George finally get to retire to Mount Vernon, after spending almost two decades in service of their country. Season 2: Abigail Adams coming soon! Transcript available at Music by
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Episode 1.11 Home at Last
America's First Ladies
Hello, and welcome to America’s First Ladies. I’m your host, Risa Weaver-Enion. Episode 1.11: Home at Last When we left off last week, George and Martha had returned home to Mount Vernon for good, after eight long years of the presidency. Just like after the war, they came back to a dilapidated estate in need of attention. Martha wrote, “We once more (and I am very sure never to quit it again) got seated under our own Roof, more like new beginners than old established residenters, as we found every thing in a deranged [state], & all the buildings in a decaying state.” She wasn’t...
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Life in Philadelphia and a Second Term
America's First Ladies
The second half of George Washington's first term was spent in Philadelphia, and then he reluctantly agreed to serve a second term. Martha stood by him through thick and thin. Transcript available at Music by
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Episode 1.10 Life in Philadelphia and a Second Term
America's First Ladies
Hello, and welcome to America’s First Ladies. I’m your host, Risa Weaver-Enion. Episode 1.10: Life in Philadelphia and a Second Term We left off last week with George and Martha settled into life in Philadelphia with little Nelly and Wash. Philadelphia was still the preeminent city of America. A French observer claimed, “It is certainly the most beautiful and best-built city in the nation, and also the wealthiest, though not the most ostentatious.” Abigail Adams described it as, “one continued scene of Parties upon parties, balls and entertainment equal to any European...
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President and Mrs. Washington
America's First Ladies
The first half of George Washington's first term as president was spent in New York, the temporary American capital. Martha and George had to muddle their way through being the first to hold their positions, and it wasn't always pleasant. Transcript available at Music by
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Episode 1.9 President and Mrs. Washington
America's First Ladies
Hello, and welcome to America’s First Ladies. I’m your host, Risa Weaver-Enion. Episode 1.9: President and Mrs. Washington We left off last week with George riding from Mount Vernon to New York City to be inaugurated as America’s first president. Considering that he left a mere two days after receiving news of his election, it’s not super surprising that Martha didn’t go with him. They were essentially moving to New York for four years—you can’t just do that on a whim. On the other hand, it’s not like George’s election as president was a surprise. Even though the...
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Yorktown and Peace
America's First Ladies
Lots packed into this episode! The battle of Yorktown in 1781, followed by the end of the war and Martha and George's return to Mount Vernon. But just a few years later, George was elected to be the first president, and he and Martha had to leave their home once again to serve their country. Transcript available at Music by
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Episode 1.8 Yorktown and Peace
America's First Ladies
Hello, and welcome to America’s First Ladies. I’m your host, Risa Weaver-Enion. Episode 1.8: Yorktown and Peace When we left off last week, George Washington had just left Mount Vernon after a brief stay and was headed toward Yorktown, Virginia, where General Nathaneal Greene was preparing to face Lord Cornwallis in battle. We’re in September 1781, just to reorient everyone. When George left Mount Vernon, Jack Custis rode with him. Jack had not enlisted in any militia or taken part in any battles. His primary concern during the war years had been fathering an heir, which he had now done....
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The Slog of War: 1778-1781
America's First Ladies
Despite the assistance of the French, the war dragged on for years. Martha continued to join George every winter in camp for the season, returning to Mount Vernon each summer to spend time with her growing brood of grandchildren. Transcript at Music by
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Episode 1.7 The Slog of War: 1778-1781
America's First Ladies
Hello, and welcome to America’s First Ladies. I’m your host, Risa Weaver-Enion. Episode 1.7: The Slog of War: 1778-1781 We left off last week in January 1778. George and his army troops were in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania for the winter, and he had written to Martha to ask her to join him for this third winter of the war. Martha left Mount Vernon shortly after the birth of Jack and Nelly’s second child, Patty, and she arrived in Valley Forge in early February 1778. Obviously Jack and Nelly stayed behind, now with two little girls to take care of. It was a good thing too, because the...
info_outlineTensions between America and Great Britain come to a head and the War of American Independence begins. Martha and George Washington are in the middle of it all, especially once he's named Commander-in-Chief of the combined colonial militias.
Transcript and further information at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/1-5
Music by Matthew Dull