Colonel John Dandridge of Chestnut Grove was a distinguished colonel, planter, and Clerk of the Courts of New Kent County, Virginia from 1730 to 1756.
Background
Born on 13 July 1700 in England, Dandridge was the youngest son of John Dandridge (Oxford, Oxfordshire, April 29, 1655 - Oxford, Oxfordshire, 1731), and wife (m Street Mary Magdalen, London, 1676) Bridget Dugdale (Oxford, Oxfordshire, c 1656 - 1731). Paternal grandson of William Dandridge (Drayton Street Leonard, Oxfordshire, England, 30 January 1612 - Dorchester Abbey, Dorchester On Thames, England, July 1693) and wife. And great-grandson of Bartholomew Dandridge (England, c 1580 - Drayton Street Leonard, Oxfordshire, England, 21 September 1638) and wife (m England, 10 May 1604) Agnes Wilder (c 1585 - c 1650).
Career
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. He immigrated to Virginia at the age of 14 in 1715. 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 Saint Peter"s Church.
John was a prominent planter, and a colonel in his military district. 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.