In 1765 GW hired John Stadler, a local music teacher, for the purpose of “teaching Mrs. Washington & two Childn Musick” (General Ledger A description begins General Ledger A, 1750–1772. Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 5, Financial Papers. description ends , folio 231). During the next six years Stadler frequently visited Mount Vernon to give lessons, mostly to the children. Patsy was learning to play the spinet, and her brother, John Parke Custis, the fiddle (GW to Robert Cary & Co., 12 Oct. 1761 and >20 July 1767, DLC:GW).