Memorial Day

Martha Dandridge Custis Washington was the eldest daughter of Virginia planter John Dandridge and Frances Jones. At the age of 18, she married Daniel Parke Custis, a rich bachelor two decades her senior. They lived together at White House Plantation on the south shore of the Pamunkey River. She had two children that survived childhood, John ("Jacky") Parke Custis and Martha ("Patsy") Parke Custis.

Daniel Custis' death in 1757 left Martha a rich widow, with control over an inheritance for her lifetime and trustee control over the inheritance of her minor children.

Martha Custis married Colonel George Washington on January 6, 1759. Upon his marriage to Martha, George Washington became the legal manager of the Custis estate, under court oversight. Martha and George Washington had no children together.

George Washington owned over 30,000 acres of land, mostly along the Potomac River and some in the Dismal Swamp if you recall.


Arlington House, in Arlington, VA was built on a 1,100 acre estate that George Washington's step-son, John Parke Custis, purchased in 1778.

Robert E. Lee married Mary Anna Randolph Custis on June 30, 1831 at Arlington House. Mary Anna Custis' father was George Washington's step-grandson, George Washington Parke Custis. That makes Mary Anna the great-granddaughter of Martha Washington, and step-great-granddaughter of George Washington.

Thus, Robert E. Lee and George Washington were related by marriage, through the Custis family. When General Robert E. Lee headed up Virginia's Confederate Army during the American Civil War, Mary Anna fled Arlington House, and federal troops confiscated the property.


Arlington House, still stands at the top of the hill in the middle of what is now, Arlington National Cemetery where more than 300,000 US military veterans are buried, and approximately 6,400 burials are conducted annually.

Remember our Veterans on Memorial Day and everyday - and this year, we sadly have to add Jopete to the list of those to be remembered.