Martha Dandridge was born on 2 June 1731 at Chestnut Grove, her parents' plantation home near New Kent Court House, Virginia. The eldest of eight children, she received an education typical of a girl of her station. In 1750 Martha married Daniel Parke Custis (1711–1757), a wealthy planter. The couple would have four children, two of whom died in early childhood. Upon Custis's death, Martha inherited a considerable estate that included approximately 300 slaves.