Before the Battlefield: Washington's Heartfelt Letter to Martha from Philadelphia Written June 18, 1775

Before the Battlefield: Washington's Heartfelt Letter to Martha from Philadelphia Written June 18, 1775

Jun 18, 2025

June of 1775 was a pivotal year for American Colonies.

As we head towards the 250th anniversary of our vote for independence and the adoption of our Declaration of the same, there are many 250th anniversaries to be had. With spring of 1775, came some straws that truly broke the proverbial camel's back.


The seizure of gunpowder from the public magazine in Williamsburg by Lord Dunmore, Royal Governor of Virginia, was one of those straws. Virginia being the largest and often described as the "most English" of the colonies, this event needs to be considered a straw in my opinion.


Here in Colonial Williamsburg (CW), we've had the opportunity to see multiple performances and re-enactments related to Dunmore's action. I've embedded CW's 18-minute YouTube video below to give you background.



Another straw, and perhaps the most shocking: shots fired at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts.


And over the last few days, the 250th anniversary of some heated moments in Philadelphia took place. A Continental Congress met, and through debate, discussion, and voting over the period from June 15th-17th of 1775, Colonel George Washington became our first Commander-in-Chief.


RELATED: Click here to find the 250th celebrations in your home state and around the nation.


Magazine currently being restored, CW


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Likely a week later, Martha found out.

These incidents all fill out dates on a timeline you may have seen or heard about over the years. But yesterday, CW's Martha Dandridge Custis Washington, Katharine Pittman, shed even more light on 1775 for me personally. I feel compelled to share it with readers of this blog.


For context: I was able to see Katharine portray Mrs. Washington at CW's St. George Tucker House on June 17, 2025. A day prior to the 250th anniversary of this letter. She came out of character to share the words of Washington to his wife and demonstrate the deep emotion with which he headed into this new role, assigned by Congress.


What I learned from Katharine:

  • this letter from Washington to his wife sharing the news of Congress' action was sent along with a will
  • it likely took about a week to arrive, depending on the route and type of transport
  • very few letters between the Washingtons survive, but this one was found in Martha's writing desk, which was passed down to her grand-daughter


But mostly, I got more confirmation of what I already believed about our first Commander-in-Chief: he was a good man who loved his wife and felt duty to care for others.


Katharine Pittman portraying Martha Washington in CW


The humanity of it all.

For those of you who have been reading along, you know my Mission Statement for this blog.


To truly understand history, we have to see the humanity of it all. We need to go beyond the dates and events in textbooks. In my humble history-loving opinion, we need to get to know the people.


For me, letters are one of the best (the best!) source for getting to know people who came before us. Thus I've added this short post to the blog because I believe it exemplifies the mission.



RELATED: Click here to read more about the Mission Statement for this blog.


Closing words from history: and excerpt from the letter.

To read this beautiful, elegant, emotional letter in full on the Founders' Archives, click here.


From George Washington to Martha Washington, 18 June 1775


To Martha Washington

Philadelphia June 18th 1775.

My Dearest,

I am now set down to write to you on a subject which fills me with inexpressable concern—and this concern is greatly aggravated and Increased when I reflect on the uneasiness I know it will give you—It has been determined in Congress, that the whole Army raised for the defence of the American Cause shall be put under my care, and that it is necessary for me to proceed immediately to Boston to take upon me the Command of it. You may beleive me my dear Patcy, when I assure you, in the most solemn manner, that, so far from seeking this appointment I have used every endeavour in my power to avoid it, not only from my unwillingness to part with you and the Family, but from a consciousness of its being a trust too great for my Capacity and that I should enjoy more real happiness and felicity in one month with you, at home, than I have the most distant prospect of reaping abroad, if my stay was to be Seven times Seven years.


.....



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There is a huge practical disclaimer to the content on this blog, which is my way of sharing my excitement and basically journaling online.


1) I am not a historian nor an expert. I will let you know I’m relaying the information as I understand and interpret it. The employees of Colonial Williamsburg base their presentations, work, and responses on historical documents and mainly primary sources.

2) I will update for accuracy as history is constant learning. If you have a question about accuracy, please ask me! I will get the answer from the best source I can find.

3) Photo credit to me, Daphne Reznik, for all photos in this post, unless otherwise credited! All photos are personal photos taken in public access locations or with specific permission.