Colonel John Dandridge, II

Colonel John Dandridge of Chestnut Grove (13/14 July 1700 – 31 August 1756) was a distinguished colonel, planter, and Clerk of the Courts of New Kent County, Virginia from 1730 to 1756. Dandridge is best known as the father of the first First Lady of the United States Martha Washington, wife of George Washington, the first president of the United States.

Born on 13 July 1700 in England, probably in London, Dandridge was the youngest son of John Dandridge (Oxford, Oxfordshire, April 29, 1655 - Oxford, Oxfordshire, 1731), and wife (m. St. Mary Magdalen, London, 1676) Bridget Dugdale (Oxford, Oxfordshire, c. 1656 - 1731), paternal grandson of William Dandridge (Drayton St. Leonard, Oxfordshire, England, 30 January 1612 - Dorchester Abbey, On Thames, England, July 1693) and wife, and great-grandson of Bartholomew Dandridge (England, c. 1580 - Drayton St. Leonard, Oxfordshire, England, 21 September 1638) and wife (m. England, 10 May 1604) Agnes Wilder (c. 1585 - c. 1650). He immigrated to Virginia at the age of 14 in 1715.

Dandridge married Frances Orlando Jones, daughter of Orlando Jones and Martha West Macon, on 22 July 1730 in New Kent County, Virginia.[ John and Frances had eight children:

• Martha Dandridge Custis Washington (1731–1802)
• John Dandridge (1733–1749)
• William Dandridge (1734–1776)
• Bartholomew Dandridge (1737–1785)
• Anna Marie "Fanny" Dandridge Bassett (1739–1777)
• Frances Dandridge (1744–1757)
• Elizabeth Dandridge Aylett Henley (1749–1800)
• Mary Dandridge (1756–1763)

Upon their marriage in 1730, John and Frances moved to their new home on the banks of the Pamunkey River in New Kent County, Virginia, Chestnut Grove. John became Clerk of Courts in New Kent County and kept that position for the next 26 years. He was also vestryman and churchwarden for St. Peter's Church. John was a prominent planter, and a colonel in his military district.

John's older brother, William Dandridge (1689–1743), lived on the opposite bank of the river with his wife Unity West Dandridge, daughter of Nathaniel West and wife Martha Woodard Macon, at their estate, Elsing Green, in King William County. Chestnut Grove burned down in 1926, but its former site was only four miles from the location of the current county court house for New Kent.

Along with Chestnut Grove in New Kent, John and Frances also owned a house in Williamsburg and visited there frequently.

Dandridge died on 31 August 1756 at the age of 56 in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Dandridge is interred at St. George's Episcopal Church burial ground in Fredericksburg.

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Colonel John Dandridge, father-in-law for George Washington was a brother of Colonel William Dandridge of the Council, was born in 1700 and came to Virginia about 1722. He had grant of a water front lot in Hampton, Elizabeth City County. His children were all born there. He served as County Clerk, which is those days (Colonial days) was considered a very lucrative position.

Colonel Dandridge married Frances Jones, daughter of Orlando Jones on July 22, 1830. He was the father of Martha Dandridge who married first Daniel Parks Custis, second George Washington. He died on August 31, 1756, aged 56 years.

Historians do not seem to know why he died in Fredericksburg. Some state that he was here visiting his daughter, Martha who married General Washington, but that cannot be true because he died more than two years before his daughter was married. I have also read that he was here attending races at “Chatham”, held by William Fitzhugh.

In Saint George’s graveyard, near the northeast corner of the church Colonel Dandridge is buried. His grave is marked by a flat stone, about four feet from the church, and with the following inscription:

No. 5. Here lies the body of Colonel John Dandridge,

       Of New Kent County, who departed this life the

       31st day of August, 1756, aged 56 years.

Below is a letter written by George Washington to Charles Carter of Fredericksburg:

“Dear Sir:

    When Mrs. Washington was at the Church of Fredericksburg she perceived the Tomb of her father, the late John Dandridge Esquire, in a ruinous condition,   and being desirous of having it done up again.  Will you permit me, my dear Sir,  to request the favor of you to engage a workman to do this.  The cost I will  remit so soon as it is known, and you shall inform me of the execution.

I would thank you for ascertaining the price before hand, having from disinclination to dispute accounts, felt, in too many instances, the expansion, of Tradesman’s consciences when no previous agreement has been made.
My best wishes in which Mrs. Washington joins me, are tendered to Mrs. Carter. With much truth,
I am Dear Sir,
Your Most Obedience and Affectionate,

             Honorable Servant,

                        George Washington”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_Washington

References

• Cary, Wilson Miles. “The Dandridges of Virginia.” The William and Mary Quarterly, vol. 5, no. 1, 1896, pp. 30–39. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/1921234 also Archive.Org

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• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Dandridge

The father of Martha (Dandridge) Washington (who became the wife of President George Washington).* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Aug 29 2023, 19:31:06 UTC

The father of Martha (Dandridge) Washington (who became the wife of President George Washington).* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Aug 29 2023, 17:19:55 UTC

• Reference: WikiTree Genealogy - SmartCopy: Aug 30 2023, 18:18:08 UTC

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John Dandridge was baptized 23 Mar 1674 at Drayton, St Leonard, Oxfordshire, England, his father was John Dandridge[1]

Sources

• ↑ Oxfordshire Family History Society; Oxford, Oxfordshire, England; Anglican Parish Registers; Reference Number: PAR89/1/R1/1
• Stanard, William G. and Mary Newton Stanard. The Virginia Colonial Register. Albany, NY: Joel Munsell's Sons Publishers, 1902
• Tyler, Lyon Gardiner, ed. Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography. Volume 1. New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1915. OCLC 2576742.

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• Reference: WikiTree Genealogy - SmartCopy: Aug 30 2023, 18:18:08 UTC

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COL John Dandridge Jr. VVETERAN
BIRTH
c.14 Jul 1700
City of London, Greater London, England
DEATH
31 Aug 1756 (aged 56)
Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg City, Virginia, USA
BURIAL
Saint Georges Episcopal Burial Ground
Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg City, Virginia, USA
PLOT
northeast corner
MEMORIAL ID
11599 · View Source

The father of Martha (Dandridge) Washington (who became the wife of President George Washington).
Inscription
[From a 1911 walk-through]
Here lies interred the Body
of COL. JOHN DANDRIDGE
of New Kent County, who
Departed this life the 31st day
of August 1756, aged 56 years.
Family Members
Parents
COL John Dandridge Sr
1655–1731

Bridget Dugdale Dandridge
1656–1731

Spouse

Frances Jones Dandridge
1710–1785 (m. 1730)

Siblings

Capt William Dandridge
1689–1744

Children

Martha Dandridge Washington
1731–1802

William A Dandridge
1734–1779

Bartholomew Dandridge
1737–1785

Anna Maria Dandridge Bassett
1739–1777

Mrs Elizabeth "Betsy" Dandridge Henley
1749–1799