First Family: George Washington's Heirs and the Making of America

Presented in partnership with American Ancestors’ American Inspiration author series.

While it's widely known in America that George and Martha Washington never had children of their own, few are aware that they raised numerous children together. In First Family, we see Washington as a father figure, as well as meet the children he helped raise and trace their complicated roles in American history. The children of Martha Washington's son by her first marriage--Eliza, Patty, Nelly and Wash Custis--were born into life in the public eye. Raised in the country's first "first family," they remained well-known as Washington's family and keepers of his legacy throughout their lives. First Family brings new focus and attention to this neglected aspect of George Washington's life and legacy. As the country grapples with concerns about political dynasties and the public role of presidential families, the saga of Washington's family offers a human story of historical precedent.