Read the excerpt from "george washington.” from 1759 to the outbreak of the american revolution, washington managed his lands around mount vernon and served in the virginia house of burgesses. married to a widow, martha dandridge custis, he devoted himself to a busy and happy life. but like his fellow planters, washington felt himself exploited by british merchants and hampered by british regulations. as the quarrel with the mother country grew acute, he moderately but firmly voiced his resistance to the restrictions. which is the central idea in this excerpt? washington married a widow, martha dandridge custis. washington was a farmer who disagreed with british rules. washington devoted himself to a busy and happy life. washington managed lands around mount vernon.