The term "First Lady" was once used in 1860 during the term of James Buchanan. President Buchanan（the 15th president）was unmarried，so his niece，Harriet Lane，assumed the duties of the presidential hostess. She was first referred to as First Lady on March 31，1860 in Frank Leslie's Illustrated Monthly.

When George Washington became president of the United States，his wife，Martha，became known as "Lady Washington". Just as George Washington had to establish the rules for future U. S. presidents，Martha defined（界定）the role of First Lady for future first ladies.

Martha was a small，active woman who was always fashionably dressed. She took on a public role and was a gracious（亲切的）hostess at public events. Her duties as First Lady included managing the presidential household，paying social calls to the wives of important members of society，and hosting a weekly reception at the presidential mansion for ordinary citizens. However，she much preferred to live a quiet，private life.

Martha was born to John and Frances Dandridge，a well-to-do planter family situated in New Kent County，Virginia. She married a wealthy plantation owner，Daniel Custis，at the age of 18. He was 20 years her senior；she was widowed at age 25.

Martha Dandridge Custis married George Washington on January 6，1759 at the age of 27. It's said that Martha was devoted to George. She joined him at his camps for extended periods of time during the Revolutionary War.

Martha did not have any children with George，but she had four children with her first husband. Two of her children died in childhood；the other two were raised by her and George，but died as young adults.

Martha Washington once said，"I think I am more like a state prisoner than anything else. There are certain bounds（限制范围）set for me which I must not depart from. "