Washington's Marriage. CHAPTER VI. For many Years a Member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. His Pursuits and Habits as a Planter. — A Vestryman in the Church, and active in Parish Affairs. His Opinion of the Stamp Act. Takes an early and decided Stand against the Course pursued by the British Government towards the Colonies. Joins heartily in all the Measures of Opposition. - His Services in procuring the Lands promised to the Officers and Soldiers in the French War. Performs a Tour to the Ohio and Kenhawa Rivers for the Purpose of selecting those Lands. Takes an active Part at different Times in the Proceedings of the Virginia Legislature in defending the Rights of the Colonies. - His Opinions on this Subject. - Chosen to command several Independent Companies of Militia. A Delegate to the first and second Virginia Conventions. - A Member of the Continental Congress. - In the course of the preceding year, Colonel Washington had paid his addresses successfully to Mrs. Martha Custis, to whom he was married on the 6th of January, 1759. This lady was three months younger than himself, widow of John Parke Custis, and distinguished alike for her beauty, accomplishments, and wealth. She was the daughter of John Dandridge. At the time of her second marriage she had two children, a son and daughter, the former six years old, the latter four. Mr. Custis had left large landed estates in New Kent County, and forty-five thousand pounds sterling in money. One third part of this property she held in her own right, the other two thirds being equally divided between her children. By this marriage, an accession of more than one hundred thousand dollars was made to Colonel Washington's fortune, which was already considerable in the estate at Mount Vernon, and other lands which he had selected during his surveying expeditions and |