How did Martha Washington's children die?

Answer 1

Martha (Custis) Washington had four children from her first marriage. All of them died relatively young, compared to how long children can live in our modern world. There is little information about her first two children, both of whom died as young children; back then, childhood diseases that today are easy to cure were fatal, so it is sad but not surprising that her son Daniel Park Custis died at age three, and her daughter Frances only lived to age four. Her other two children came to live with her and her new husband, George Washington, our first president. But unfortunately, one child-- Patsy, died at age 17 from what today would be called epilepsy. And her last remaining son, John (better known as Jacky), died of typhoid at age 27.