Lee, George Washington Custis, 1832-1913

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Born in 1832, George Washington Custis Lee was the oldest of the Lees' children and had the reputation of a trouble maker as a small child. But he grew up to be a serious, and most capable young man and graduated at the top of his class from the United States Military Academy in 1854. After graduation, Custis pursued a military career. In May 1861, Custis resigned his commission in the U.S. Army shortly after Virginia voted to secede from the Union. During the Civil War he attained the rank of Brigadier General, C.S.A., serving as aide-de-camp to President Jefferson Davis of the Confederacy. Though Custis spent most of the war working in Davis's office, he volunteered to take his younger brother Rooney's place as a prisoner of war so that Rooney could come home to be with his dying wife in 1863. After the war he was a professor of military science and engineering at Virginia Military Institute, and in 1871 succeeded his late father as President of Washington College (now Washington & Lee University).

Following the death of his mother, in 1873, Custis brought suit against the U.S. Government in hopes of gaining compensation for Arlington after its seizure during the Civil War. After a long court battle, the United States Supreme Court ruled that Arlington had been illeagally seized and Custis regained title to the property. Knowing that he could not live at Arlington and operate it as a plantation estate, he sold the title back to the U.S. Government for $150,000.

Custis Lee died at Ravensworth in Fairfax County, Virginia in 1913. His association with the rooms at Arlington was primarily with the boys' chamber upstairs and with what Mrs. Lee in 1861, called his "office," presumably the end room in the south wing.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870. Letter to Charles S. Venable, 1866 July 6. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Frederick M. Dearborn collection of military and political Americana, Part II: The Civil War and the Confederacy, 1832-1915. Houghton Library
referencedIn Grace Memorial Church (Lexington, Va.). Minutes, 1884 February 4. Washington & Lee University, James G. Leyburn Library
referencedIn Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870. Papers, 1792-1935 [bulk, 1865-1870]. Washington & Lee University, James G. Leyburn Library
creatorOf Thom, William Taylor, 1849-. Papers, 1865-1890. Washington & Lee University, James G. Leyburn Library
referencedIn Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States Commandery of the State of Massachusetts Civil War collection, 1724-1933 (inclusive); 1861-1912 (bulk). Houghton Library
referencedIn Howe, James Lewis, 1859-1955. Papers, 1893-1951. Washington & Lee University, James G. Leyburn Library
referencedIn Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870. Papers. United States Military Academy, USMA Library
referencedIn Jefferson Davis collection 1861-1865 Davis, Jefferson collection William L. Clements Library
referencedIn Saussy, George Nowlan, 1842-1916. George Nowlan Saussy letters, 1864-1909. Georgia Historical Society
referencedIn Stuart, Jeb, 1833-1864. Papers, 1851-1968 (bulk 1862-1864). Virginia Historical Society Library
referencedIn Guerrant, John R., 1865-1930. Papers of John R. Guerrant and the Guerrant family, 1881-1927. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Photographic Portrait File The Huntington Library
referencedIn Pendleton, William Henry K. Papers, 1808-1927. Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
referencedIn Alexander Stewart Webb papers, 1818-1930 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
creatorOf Owen, Thomas McAdory, 1866-1920. Papers, 1912-1920 (bulk 1912). Washington & Lee University, James G. Leyburn Library
creatorOf Lee, George Washington Custis, 1832-1913. Letter : to Lella Pendleton, 1882 May 27. Texas Christian University
creatorOf Lee, Charles Carter, 1798-1871. Papers of Charles Carter Lee and the Lee family [manuscript], 1768-1931 (bulk 1780-1871). University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Smithsonian Institution. Office of the Secretary. Correspondence, 1863-1879 Smithsonian Institution Archives
referencedIn United States War Department correspondence and records regarding Indian affairs and activities with Indian nations, 1798-1874. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
referencedIn Green, Thomas J. (Thomas Jefferson), 1802-1863. Thomas J. Green papers, 1820-1910. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
referencedIn Letter, Richmond to Mr. Collins, Romancoke, Prince William County, Virginia, 1862 November 25. Library of Virginia
referencedIn Brown-Ewell family papers, 1781-1984. The Filson Historical Society
creatorOf Sievers, Frederick William, 1872-1966. Papers, 1907-1969. Library of Virginia
creatorOf Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870. Letter to C.W. Custis Lee [manuscript], 1845 December 18. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Photographs of Confederate officers, n.d. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn United States War Department correspondence and records regarding Indian affairs and activities with Indian nations, 1798-1874. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
referencedIn Lee family. Papers, 1824-1918. Virginia Historical Society Library
referencedIn Confederate officers photograph album, n.d. Alabama Department of Archives and History
creatorOf Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870. Robert E. Lee family collection, 1838-1870. Museum of the Confederacy
creatorOf Lee, George Washington Custis, 1832-1913. Letters of George Washington Custis Lee [manuscript] 1878 & 1895. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Century Company records New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Lee, Fitzhugh, 1835-1905. Papers of Fitzhugh Lee [manuscript], 1731-1952. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Tunstall, Nannie Whitmell. Papers, 1842-1886 (bulk 1875-1878). Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
referencedIn Webb, Alexander S. (Alexander Stewart), 1835-1911. Alexander Stewart Webb papers, 1818-1930 (inclusive). Yale University Library
referencedIn [Robert E. Lee and the letter to his son spuriously attributed to him.]. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Reid family. Papers, 1760-1854. Washington & Lee University, James G. Leyburn Library
creatorOf Lee, Robert Edward, 1843-1914. Letters, West Point, Virginia, to O.P. Grundy, Kutztown, Penna., replying to the latter's request for autographs of General Robert Edward Lee [manuscript] 1901-1904. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Wright, Marcus J. (Marcus Joseph), 1831-1922. Papers of Marcus Joseph Wright, 1872-1901. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Allan, William, 1837-1889,. Letters in recommendation of M. W. Humphreys [manuscript], 1882. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Frederick M. Dearborn collection of military and political Americana, Part II: The Civil War and the Confederacy, 1832-1915. Houghton Library
creatorOf James McNeill Whistler collection Archives of American Art
creatorOf William L. Clements Library. Jefferson Davis collection, 1861-1865. William L. Clements Library
referencedIn James McNeill Whistler collection Archives of American Art
referencedIn Westfeldt, Charles Fleetwood. Charles Fleetwood Westfeldt papers, 1861-1865; 1868-1955 [manuscript]. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
creatorOf Johnston family. Papers, 1779-1891. Library of Virginia
referencedIn Wilson, William Lyne, 1843-1900. Papers, 1852-1901. Washington & Lee University, James G. Leyburn Library
creatorOf Lee, George Washington Custis, 1832-1913. Letter, 1904 March 28, Burke, Virginia, to Harold Goddard Rugg, Hanover, N.H. Dartmouth College Library
creatorOf Lee, Charles Carter, 1798-1871, collector. Collection, 1768-1931 (bulk 1813-1870) [microform]. Library of Virginia
referencedIn Johnston Family Papers, 1779-1891 Library of Virginia
creatorOf Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870. ALS, 1859 July 2 : Arlington, to his son, G.W. Custis Lee. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
referencedIn Records, 1882-1889. Houghton Library
referencedIn White, Frank (Frank E.). Papers, [2008]. Washington & Lee University, James G. Leyburn Library
creatorOf Lee family. Brock Collection: Lee family papers, 1722-1892 (bulk 1765-1870). Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
creatorOf Johnstone Family. Papers, 1753-1989. Francis Marion University, James A Rogers Library, James A. Rogers Library
creatorOf Downing, Henry Hawkins, 1853-. Papers of the Minor and Venable families [manuscript], 1828-1904. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Mastin Gentry White Robert E. Lee Collection, 87-317., 1831-ca. 1931 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
referencedIn Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870. Papers, 1835-1869. Emory University. Special Collections and Archives
referencedIn Garnett, Robert S. (Robert Selden), 1819-1861. Papers from members of the Lee family [manuscript] 1770-1865. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Powell family. Powell family papers, 1775-1927. William & Mary Libraries
referencedIn University Of Rochester Lib., Dept. Of Rare Books & Spec. Co. David Bailie Warden Papers.
referencedIn Bailey, William. Papers of William Bailey [manuscript], 1773-1888 (bulk 1800-1888). University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Carter, Landon, 1760-1800,. Papers of Randolph Fairfax Blackford [manuscript] 1798-1870. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Cowles, Jerry. Jerry Cowles family papers, 1842-1862. Georgia Historical Society
referencedIn Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870. Letter to Charles Carter Lee, 1863 March 24. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Kilmer, George L. Letters to George L. Kilmer [manuscript], 1880-1882. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Smithsonian Institution. Office of the Secretary. Correspondence, 1865-1891 Smithsonian Institution Archives
creatorOf McGuire, Hunter, 1835-1900. Papers of Hunter Holmes McGuire [manuscript] 1861-1958. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Custis-Lee-Mason Family Papers, 1756-1863 Library of Virginia
referencedIn Turner, W. R. Map showing roads used by General Lee in his retreat from Richmond and Petersburg and General Grant's advance on Appomattox. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn James McNeill Whistler collection Archives of American Art
creatorOf Lee, George Washington Custis, 1832-1913. Letter : Lexington, Va., to Mrs. Yeatman, Alexandria, Va., 1889 Oct. 3. Texas Christian University
referencedIn Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870. Letter to Charles S. Venable [manuscript], 1866 July 6. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Powell Famiy Papers, 1775-1927. Special Collections Research Center, Earl Gregg Swem Library, College of William and Mary
referencedIn Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States Commandery of the State of Massachusetts Civil War collection, 1724-1933 (inclusive); 1861-1912 (bulk). Houghton Library
Role Title Holding Repository

Filters:

Connection Graph Radial Graph
Relation Name
associatedWith Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial (Va.) corporateBody
associatedWith Bailey, William. person
correspondedWith Bowie, W. R. person
associatedWith Butler-Gunsaulus Collection (University of Chicago. Library) corporateBody
associatedWith Centennial Exhibition (Philadelphia, 1876) corporateBody
correspondedWith Century Company corporateBody
associatedWith Conrad, Robert Young, 1805-1875 person
associatedWith Coster, Robert, person
associatedWith Cowles, Jerry. person
memberOf Custis (Family : Virginia) family
grandchildOf Custis, George Washington Parke, 1781-1857 person
memberOf Custis-Lee-Mason families. person
associatedWith Dearborn, Frederick M. (Frederick Myers), b. 1876 person
correspondedWith Dellenbaugh, Frederick Samuel, 1853-1935 person
associatedWith Dupuy family. family
correspondedWith Gibbs, Wolcott person
associatedWith Grace Memorial Church (Lexington, Va.). corporateBody
associatedWith Green, Thomas J. (Thomas Jefferson), 1802-1863. person
associatedWith Haislip, R. D. person
correspondedWith Henry, Joseph, 1797-1878 person
associatedWith Hopkins, Johns, 1795-1873 person
associatedWith Howe, James Lewis, 1859-1955. person
associatedWith James Monroe. person
associatedWith Johnstone Family. family
associatedWith Johnston family. family
correspondedWith Johnston Family family
associatedWith Jones, Charles G., person
associatedWith Kilmer, George L. person
associatedWith Lee, Agnes, 1841-1873 person
associatedWith Lee, Charles Carter, 1798-1871 person
associatedWith Lee family. family
associatedWith Lee family. family
associatedWith Lee, Fitzhugh, 1835-1905. person
childOf Lee, Mary Anna Randolph Custis, 1806-1873 person
childOf Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870. person
associatedWith Lee, Robert Edward, 1843-1914. person
associatedWith Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870. person
correspondedWith Longfellow Memorial Association corporateBody
associatedWith McGuire, Hunter, 1835-1900. person
associatedWith Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Commandery of the State of Massachusetts, collector. corporateBody
associatedWith Monroe, James, 1758-1831 person
associatedWith Owen, Thomas McAdory, 1866-1920. person
associatedWith Pendleton, William Henry K. person
associatedWith Powell family. family
associatedWith Powell Family, family
associatedWith Reid family. family
associatedWith Rugg, Harold Goddard, 1883-1957. person
associatedWith Saussy, George Nowlan, 1842-1916. person
associatedWith Sievers, Frederick William, 1872-1966. person
associatedWith Stuart, Jeb, 1833-1864. person
associatedWith Thom, William Taylor, 1849- person
associatedWith Tunstall, Nannie Whitmell. person
associatedWith Turner, W. R. person
associatedWith United States. War Dept. corporateBody
associatedWith Ward, Henry A. person
associatedWith Washington And Lee University corporateBody
descendantOf Washington, George, 1732-1799 person
descendantOf Washington, Martha, 1731-1802 person
associatedWith Webb, Alexander S. (Alexander Stewart), 1835-1911. person
associatedWith Westfeldt, Charles Fleetwood. person
associatedWith Whistler, James McNeill, 1834-1903. person
associatedWith Whistler, James McNeill, 1834-1903. person
associatedWith White, Frank (Frank E.) person
associatedWith White, Mastin Gentry person
associatedWith William L. Clements Library. corporateBody
associatedWith Wilson, William Lyne, 1843-1900. person
associatedWith Wright, Marcus J. (Marcus Joseph), 1831-1922. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Alexandria VA US
Virginia VA US
Fort Monroe VA US
Subject
African Americans
Condolence notes
Exposition
Freedmen
Kilpatrick
Natural history
Recommendations For Positions
Reconstruction
Smithsonian Publications
United States History Civil War, 1861-1865
Women
Occupation
College teachers
Soldiers
Activity

Person

Birth 1832-09-16

Death 1913-02-18

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