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On this date in 1857 George Washington’s adopted son passed away
Posted on 10/10/25 at 7:22 am
Posted on 10/10/25 at 7:22 am
Being George Washington’s adopted son would be interesting enough. He just also happened to be Robert E Lee’s father in law.
On October 10, 1857, George Washington Parke Custis, the adopted son of George Washington and father-in-law of Robert E. Lee, passed away. Known as Custis, he was Martha Washington’s grandson, born on April 30, 1781. After his father died of camp fever at Yorktown following the British surrender, Custis and his sister Nelly were raised by the Washingtons at Mount Vernon and in New York during Washington’s presidency.
Inheriting significant wealth and property, Custis built Arlington House, now located within Arlington National Cemetery. His daughter, Mary Anna Randolph Custis, married Robert E. Lee, who later led the Confederate Army. During the Civil War, the Arlington estate was converted into a military cemetery. The Lee family successfully sued to reclaim the property in 1882, as ruled by the Supreme Court, and subsequently sold it back to the United States.
On October 10, 1857, George Washington Parke Custis, the adopted son of George Washington and father-in-law of Robert E. Lee, passed away. Known as Custis, he was Martha Washington’s grandson, born on April 30, 1781. After his father died of camp fever at Yorktown following the British surrender, Custis and his sister Nelly were raised by the Washingtons at Mount Vernon and in New York during Washington’s presidency.
Inheriting significant wealth and property, Custis built Arlington House, now located within Arlington National Cemetery. His daughter, Mary Anna Randolph Custis, married Robert E. Lee, who later led the Confederate Army. During the Civil War, the Arlington estate was converted into a military cemetery. The Lee family successfully sued to reclaim the property in 1882, as ruled by the Supreme Court, and subsequently sold it back to the United States.
3
Posted on 10/10/25 at 8:36 am to Mid Iowa Tiger
Arlington being a cemetery is an interesting piece of history. The Union took the land for back taxes and to ensure they kept it they planted a couple of Union soldiers on it. How were they gonna pay the taxes with a war on? I didn't know they went to court over it later.
Posted on 10/10/25 at 8:59 am to Gee Grenouille
quote:
The Union took the land for back taxes
The Union took the land back because it was key terrain in a rebel state. Artillery placed in the back yard of Arlington House could easily fire down into Washington DC. Then they made it a cemetery out of spite towards Robert E. Lee.
Posted on 10/10/25 at 9:19 am to Mid Iowa Tiger
Ron Chernow’s George Washington bio kind makes it seem like GW thought this dude was a bit of a frick up. Apparently being the heir to the Custis fortune plus being coddled by Martha just sorta created a real ne’er do well in GW’s view. George Washington didn’t think highly of non-industrious loafers. To be fair, most people would seem like a sluggard compared to George.
Posted on 10/10/25 at 10:06 am to Celery
quote:
Ron Chernow’s George Washington bio
Excellent book. Washington was such a hard charger I’m not sure who would stack up.
Posted on 10/10/25 at 10:11 am to PetroBabich
quote:
Then they made it a cemetery out of spite towards Robert E. Lee.
Yep. Sad because Robert E Lee was against slavery but wouldnt turn away from the South
Posted on 10/10/25 at 10:11 am to Mid Iowa Tiger
I didnt know that ole George married a single mom
Posted on 10/10/25 at 10:16 am to Gee Grenouille
quote:
Arlington being a cemetery is an interesting piece of history. The Union took the land for back taxes and to ensure they kept it they planted a couple of Union soldiers on it. How were they gonna pay the taxes with a war on? I didn't know they went to court over it later
I’m pretty sure it was Robert E Lee’s estate that they stole from him after the war as punishment.
Posted on 10/10/25 at 12:36 pm to Loup
quote:
I didnt know that ole George married a single mom
Yes. And they had no children together. It was actually a big selling point for him politically, even though nobody ever ran against him. Everyone was worried about the concept of some strongman establishing a European-style hereditary dynasty, and his friends would always point out that wasn't possible in Washington's case.
Another interesting bit about him is that he was in love with the wife of a neighbor and friend all his life, it seems. He was close with them both when they were younger. The couple moved to England in 1773. He wrote a heartfelt letter to her shortly before getting married to Martha; and another one about 18 months before he died.
I really recommend Chernow's books on Washington, as well as on Grant. They are long but so well researched and thought out.
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