Divided: Varina Banks Howell Davis

Varina Banks Howell was born on 7 May 1826 in Natchez, Missippi. Her parents, William and Margaret (Kemp) Howell, were fairly well-to-do. It is worth noting that William was a Northerner which would lead Southern born and raised Varina to …

First Lady: Martha Dandridge Custis Washington

Martha Dandridge, known as Patsy, was born on 2 June 1731 to John and Frances (Jones) Dandridge at the Dandridge home, Chestnut Grove in Virginia. Martha was the eldest of seven children. While the Dandridges were not as wealthy as …