Charles Carter (1765–1829) was the son of Edward and Sarah Champe Carter of Blenheim. Since 1781 he had been married to GW’s niece, Betty Lewis (1765–1830). The Carters lived in Culpeper County, Va., for a time after their marriage but then moved to Frederick County and later to Pittsylvania County.

In 1790, GW sold to Carter the house and lot he had purchased in Fredericksburg, Va., for his mother, Mary Ball Washington, who had died in 1789. Carter may have already been living in the house with his wife prior to his purchase of the property.