#george washington parke custis

[yr-obedt-cicero]

I'll be sad and then remember Washy (Washington's step grandson), Georges (Lafayette's son), and Philip (Hamilton's son), were playmates as kids and feel a whole lot better

[icarusbetide]

king's college, hamilton & custis: two very different 1773 students

Jacky Custis (Washington's stepson) enrolled at King's College in May 1773, but "dropped out" in less than a year. Crazy how small colonial America was, because guess who else began attending King's College in 1773 before being formally matriculated in 1774? Alexander Hamilton. Who, like George Washington who originally wanted to send Jacky to Princeton, had applied first to Princeton but gone to King's College after being rejected.

You can really see their contrasting motivation because Hamilton was devouring all these books and whatnot as per usual, and Jacky was out here sending letters to his mother going "the teachers look upon me in a particular light aka they suck up to me a lot"; Myles Cooper the president of King's College writing to Washington in the best light possible at first, saying that Jacky "dines with the Professors and myself in the College-hall...I doubt not will make a Proficiency equal to the warmest Wishes and Expectations" in July. But they gave up the ghost and Washington wrote in December that Jacky wouldn't be returning to King's College. Very passive aggressive: "I have yielded, contrary to my judgment, & much against my wishes, to his quitting College." (Myles Cooper is also the Loyalist that Hamilton tried to help by talking down the Patriot mob long enough for him to escape.)

From the notes in Cooper's September letter to Washington, it appears that Jacky left King's College late September and arrived (?) at Mt. Vernon on October 2nd, never to return. Washington assumed this was just a mini vacation but it wasn't. Knowing this and that Hamilton most likely started studying in fall of 1773, there's a very slim chance that Custis and he crossed paths at least once.

Someone write that fanfic for me. Hamilton remembering a lackadaisical, pompous student he met at King's College, joking and sharing the story with the military family - Washington realizing who he's talking about, but not saying anything much until Hamilton realizes in horror that the "John or whoever that ate with the professors and never picked up a book and went on and on about his girl Nelly" is General Washington's son Jacky.

This is me still fixating about the southern Hamilton au, but it tickles my fancy to think that both Washington's actual son and his rumored illegitimate son attended the same college in the same year, though with wildly different results. More realistically, even if Hamilton never met Jacky, it still must've been an awkward conversation with the general, if it ever got brought up. "I studied at King's College, sir." "Oh really? My son attended King's College in 1773." "Oh! I started studying there in 1773 too, maybe I met him!" "Probably not since he dropped out in a few months." "Oh."

[phociian]

y'all i'm reading up on a lot of (amrev) history just cause (i think it's fun) and i found out that patsy parke custis (washington's stepdaughter) apparently had a seizure when she was a toddler and then had a break for several years before they came back when she was 12 and then they were regular until she died at the age of 17 in 1773.

Also, also, jack parke custis (washington's stepson, patsy's older brother and martha washington's last living child) joined his stepfather as a volunteer aide de camp for yorktown and contracted camp fever (likely dysentery or typhus) and got real sick real quick. His last wish was that he wanted to watch the festivities of cornwallis' surrender, so they put him up on a high vantage point so he could watch. Then he was rushed to his uncle's house (martha washington's brother-in-law), eltham, nearby and the doctors tried everything they knew before sending for washington who was busy with the surrender. He immediately set out for eltham and arrived just in time. Jacky died a few hours after and washington was described by a french observer as "uncommonly affected" by the death. Apparently according to some contemporaries, washington clutched nelly calvert custis (jack's widow) to his chest and proclaimed that from that moment he would regard jack's two youngest children (nelly and washy/tub parke custis, who were 2 years old and 7 months) as his own. The washingtons, to help alleviate a bit of nelly calvert custis' load, took their two youngest children in and raised them as their own even after nelly remarried. In fact nelly parke custis once, after needing to go stay with her mother, wrote that she missed her grandparents terribly and that there was no one she loved more in the world.

Don't mind me, i'm just gonna go sob for a bit

[18th-century-bitch]

Washington: Here are my three sons Jack, Lafayette, and Alexander.

Jack: Yeah duh

Lafayette: Sir I am honored that you see me as your son

Alexander: Call me son one more time.

[publius-library]

do you have any info into how the washington's treated their children or how they were as parents? both biological (in martha's case) and their grandkids?

also, how did they react to the deaths of patsy and jack?

Yes, I do, but it's unfortunately not very satisfactory.

George and Martha were pretty traditional parents. George loved Martha's kids as his own, but she had primary control over their discipline. George, however, did have a say, especially with Jacky. He pushed Jacky to get his formal education, and reminded him to focus on it when he wanted to get married young. We don't have as much information on Patsy. Generally, they were very affectionate, but George tended to play bad-cop, just because he was very strict in general.

They raised their grandkids, specifically Eleanor (Nelly) and George Washington Parke Custis (Washy), as their own children, though of course not entirely. Again, they were very affectionate, and loved their grandchildren greatly. They were very proud parents and grandparents.

The deaths of Patsy and Jacky devastated them both. In the final months of Patsy's life, George did everything he could to improve her health. Because healthcare was what it was at the time, there wasn't much knowledge about how to treat seizures, which is what Patsy suffered from. They tried many different treatments, to no avail, and George spent a large amount of money attempting to help her.

"...this Sudden, and unexpected blow, I scarce need add has almost reduced my poor Wife to the lowest ebb of Misery; which is encreas’d by the absence of her Son (whom I have just fixed at the College in New York, from whence I returnd the 8th Instt) and want of the balmy Consolation of her Relations; which leads me more than ever to wish she could see them, and that I was Master of Arguments powerful enough to prevail upon Mrs Dandridge to make this place her entire, & absolute home." -George Washington to Burwell Bassett, June 20, 1773

There is very little mention of George's thoughts after Jacky's death, but I believe that is due to the circumstances. Jacky died during the war, when Washington's time for writing personal letters was limited, and he didn't have time to focus on his grief. Additionally, Martha burned much of their correspondence for privacy, so it is likely that his comment on Jacky's death was contained within those. I have no difficulty saying that Jacky's death was just as painful for George and Martha as Patsy's was.

A majority of my information on the Washingtons comes from Mount Vernon and the sources they provide. Here is their collection on Washington's entire family if you want more detail on the children/grandchildren. I hope this was helpful. Thank you for the ask!!

[todaysdocument]

Condemnation Decree filed in U.S. v. All the Rights, Titles, of Robert E. Lee (Robert E. Lee Confiscation Case)

Record Group 21: Records of District Courts of the United StatesSeries: Confiscation Case FilesFile Unit: U.S. v. The Right, Title, Interest, and Estate of Robert E. Lee

[printed] At a special term of the District Court of the United States of America for the Eastern District of Virginia, held at the Court Room in the [handwritten] Customs House Building [typed] in the city of [handwritten] Alexandria [printed], on [handwritten] Friday the 15th day of April, [printed] in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred sixty three

[printed] Present, the Honorable John C. Underwood, District Judge.

[handwritten] No. 85

United States

vs.

All the rights titles interests and the Estate of Robert E Lee in and to All that certain piece parcel or lot of land and to the Home and buildings thereon situated lying and being in Alexandria County in the Eastern District of Virginia known as the Arlington House Estate formerly owned by George Washington Parke Custis and lately occupied by the said Robert E Lee Consisting of Eleven Hundred acres more or less Together with all the goods chattels and the personal property of the said Robert E Lee in and upon the said premises [illegible]

[printed] The papers in this cause having been heretofore returned, the usual proclamation having been made, the default of all persons being duly entered, and notwithstanding said default, witnesses having been called and examined by [handwritten] L H Chandler [printed] , Attorney for the United States, and due deliberation being had on the pleadings and proofs, it is thereupon, on motion of the said [handwritten] L H Chandler [printed] , ordered, adjudged, sentenced, and decreed by the Court, that the real and personal property mentioned and described in the libel in this cause, be, and the same accordingly is confiscated and condemned as forfeited to the United States.

 [printed] And upon like motion it is further ordered, adjudged, and decreed, that the Clerk of this Court issue a decree of venditioni exponas to the Marshall of the District, returnable upon [handwritten] ascending [illegible word]; [typed] and that the said Marshal, after having given at least [handwritten- Tene?] [printed] days notice of the time, place, and terms of sale [carrot-handwritten in] of the personal property [printed] by publication thereof in [handwritten] the Virginia State District in one or more [illegible word] [printed] published in the city of [handwritten] Alexandriae. [illegible 3 words] dat. Notice of [illegible word] place and [illegible word] of sale of the Real Estate by [persecutions?] thereof in one or more [illegible 2 words] in the City of Alexandria and in one or more [illegible 2 words] in the City of Washington DC [printed] sell the said property at public sale, for cash, to the highest bidder, and execute a deed for the real estate to the purchaser, and bring the proceeds of said sale into this Court for its action thereon.

[handwritten signature] John C. Underwood 

Dist Judge

[deadpresidents]

"It is rather a curious thing, my young friend, but that is exactly my record. I could outlift any man in Southern Illinois when I was young, and I never was thrown [in a wrestling match]. There was a big fellow named Jack Armstrong, strong as a Russian bear, that I could not put down; nor could he get me on the ground. If George [Washington] was loafing around here now, I should be glad to have a tussle with him, and I rather believe that one of the plain people of Illinois would be able to manage the aristocrat of old Virginia."

-- Abraham Lincoln, to Illinois Judge Samuel H. Treat, after Treat shared stories he had heard from George Washington's step-grandson, George Washington Parke Custis, who had noted that Washington was one of the strongest men of his generation and also a famous wrestler who had never been thrown in a match. ("Recollections of Lincoln" by James Grant Wilson, Putnam's Magazine, February 1909)

[georgewashington-official]

George! Have you seen Fanny? I heard her scream! *runs over and takes @david-parke-custis into her arms. Suddenly she turns pale, realizing something* Daniel... Has that bastard kidnapped her?

@martha-washington-official

I fear for it. Stay with the children. *thinks of something* Wait here for a minute. *limps off and returns with his old pistol* I am sure you still know how to fire it? *gives it to her* I will get Fanny and be back. *kisses her forehead* But if he comes here... he's all yours, love.

[nordleuchten]

I regret your disappointment in regard to your letter from Miss Below [?] but I have sustained a greater loss ��� Oscar Lafayette wrote to me immediately after the death of his father, my faithful friend & brother, giving me all the particulay of that event.

Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis, to Elizabeth Bordley Gibson, August 4, 1851

Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis to Elizabeth Bordley Gibson, 1824 October, A-569.104, Box: 3, Folder: 1824.10.00. Elizabeth Bordley Gibson collection, A-569. Special Collections at The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon. Accessed June 28, 2023.

This is a heartfelt message from a woman, who just learned of her friend’s death, a man she described as her “faithful friend & brother”. But the following passage and indeed the date of the letter reveal a maybe even more painful component. Georges, Marquis de La Fayette died on November 29, 1849, and Eleanor wrote this letter in August of 1851 – almost three years later. She writes:

I have never received it, nor can it be recovered. & Edmond could not come to see me as he wished to do. He was some days with my children in [illegible] – they were charmed with him – In heart & mind, he resembles entirely his Grandfather & father, in features, a handsome resemblance of his Father. I regret much not seeing him.

This letter, this very important letter, seems to have been lost in the mail. But what this letter also tells us, that Edmond, Georges’ son and La Fayette’s grandson, must have been in America at one point – definitely worth looking into.

On a closing note, I find it quite heartwarming to see how similar in character and looks the La Fayette men appeared, close enough that it was noted by people like Eleanor and her children.

[yr-obedt-cicero]

“The American commander-in-chief was peculiarly happy in the selection of the officers of his military family, of his guard, &c, save in a solitary instance, and in that instance the individual served but for a very short time. The members of the military family and of the Life-Guard were gentlemen of the first order in intellect, patriotism, and all right soldierly qualities—they were attached to the chief and to each other. Hamilton and Laurens were kindred spirits, brothers alike in arms, in affection, and in accomplishments, and might be styled the preux chevaliers of the American army.”

— Recollections and private memoirs of Washington, by George Washington Parke Custis · 1860

[washingtonscontinentalarmy]

Oftentimes, I see George Washington being portrayed as being not particularly affectionate to his loved ones, especially his wife Martha. Now, why might this be? It could be in large part because we do not have much surviving correspondence between the two of them.

Shortly after Washington's death on December 14th 1799, Martha destroyed (via burning) what she believed to be all of the correspondence between the two. By the time of Martha’s death only three letters between Washington and his wife still existed. Two of the letters, both written in June of 1775 were found by Martha’s granddaughter Martha Parke Custis Peter, trapped behind a desk drawer in a desk that had been gifted to her. The third, a letter from 1777, was found by a man responsible for the management of George’s papers.

Why did Martha Washington burn nearly all the correspondence between the two of them before her death, leaving her husband to be portrayed as cold when it comes to love in most fan works? Why did she leave historians in the dark about what her marriage with George was like? That is just the reason. With her husband finding his victory in the Revolutionary War leaving him quickly into the public light once more as President, Martha spent the remainder of her life in the public light, as even upon George’s retirement from the presidency, they continued to host many people at their home. As a result, Martha felt whether or not her correspondence with her husband ended up in the hands of the public and later historians were the last bit of her life that she still had control over, the only part of her life she was still capable of keeping private, and as a result she burned every bit of correspondence with her husband that she knew remained.

However, as I said some of their letters did survive. One of them being one that was penned by Washington on June 23rd, 1775. It was written as George was about to be leaving Philadelphia for a military camp in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In the letter I have added the transcription of below Washington expresses his eagerness to soon meet with Martha once more writing as follows:

“My dearest,

As I am within a few Minutes of leaving this City, I could not think of departing from it without dropping you a line; especially as I do not know whether it may be in my power to write again till I get to the Camp at Boston—I go fully trusting in that Providence, which has been more bountiful to me than I deserve, & in full confidence of a happy meeting with you sometime in the Fall—I have not time to add more, as I am surrounded with Company to take leave of me—I retain an unalterable affection for you, which neither time or distance can change, my best love to Jack & Nelly, & regard for the rest of the Family concludes me with the utmost truth & sincerety Yr entire

Go: Washington”

As I have explained, despite popular fandom interpretation and common choice to portray Washington as a more distant unlikely to open up lover this letter shows otherwise. It shows that even during busy times of work, meetings, and travel, George’s wife was often on his mind and when he was unable to see her, the excitement to meet with her once more was frequently on his mind.

((Also the way he signs his letter to her “Your entire, George Washington” makes me so happy).

[arthurdrakoni]

Royal Banner of House Washington

This is the Royal Banner of the House of Washington. It comes from a world where the early days of the United States were a lot more unstable than in our world. The future of the young nation was in jeopardy, and a strong leader was needed. To this end, congress asked George Washington to be crowned king, at least temporarily. Although reluctant at first, Washington agreed and was crowned King George I of House Washington. The American government continued to function as it always did; three branches with check and balances. The main difference was that the king now functioned as the executive branch, and had a bit more power than the position of president.

Washington was able to quell the unrest and brought an era of relative peace and prosperity to the United Kingdom of America. Though their troubles were behind them, it was a bittersweet time for the American people. Their fight to throw off an oppressive king 3000 miles away had ended with a new king being crowned in America. Throughout the streets, there were whispers of a desire to return America to a republic. For his part, Washington was a fairly humble king, and was supportive of these sentiments.  

Washington died without leaving any heirs. During his last days, Washington expressed hope that this would lead to a return to republicanism. Unfortunately, congress did not share this sentiment. It was feared that, without a strong authority figure like a king, America would descend into chaos once again. Thus, congress sought out Washington's closest surviving male relative: George Washington Parke Custis. At the tender age of eighteen he was crowned King George II of House Washington. 

George II lacked the charisma and experience of his more famous step-grandfather. Things were not looking good on the international front. Britain viewed the American monarchy as illegitimate and a slap in the face. This meant that Anglo-American relations never really healed like they did in our world. Relations with France were lukewarm at best. The leaders of the French Revolution wanted nothing to do with the monarchist America, but Napoleon was willing to compromise on a few occasions. Most notably, when he sold the Louisiana Territory to America.  

Things really came to a head during the War of 1812. The British were much more focused on fighting America than they were in our world. New England, along with New York and New Jersey, used the war as an opportunity to declare independence. The British provided support to New England as a means of getting back at America. Republican sentiment has always been strongest in New England, and they weren't too pleased with how George II had handled the Embargo Act. By the time the war was over, the Republic of New England had gained international recognition. 

The War of 1812 ended in a decisive British victory. America was forced to cede the Louisiana Territory, as well as large chunks of Georgia and South Carolina, back to the British. Thomas Jefferson, along with several supporters of republicanism, had formed their own nation in the Appalachian Mountains to protest the monarchy. Though a rump United Kingdom of America still exists, it is a shadow of its former glory. America never got the chance to become a great power. 

The American Revolution is not viewed as a symbol liberty and freedom by this world. Rather, it is seen as a cautionary tale about the fragility of revolution and the dangers of corruption.  

The Royal Banner of the House of Washington depicts George Washington as a new Hercules. Initially, the banner was considered incredibly scandalous for depicting Washington in such little clothes. For his part, Washington didn't actually want a royal banner, but nevertheless he appreciated the design

Link to the original flag on my blog: https://drakoniandgriffalco.blogspot.com/2017/07/the-royal-banner-of-house-washington.html?m=0

[phociian]

another lil history thing:

The Washingtons were well known for spoiling the children under their care. People in that time noted that. Their kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, etc. All the kids that lived with them were spoiled by them. Patsy and Jacky Parke Custis (Martha's children from her first marriage) were extremely loved, especially since George and Martha never had children of their own. George bought Jack a violin, and Patsy a spinnet (which was kinda like a predecessor to the harpsichord), and would buy Patsy a doll from London once a year that was updated with the latest fashions from Europe. He also bought Jack horses and Patsy a parrot (I think it was a parrot, it might have been another bird). One of his and Martha's granddaughters (I can't remember which) also had a spaniel named Frisky. Also George tended to spoil the girls and was stricter with the boys, and Martha tended to spoil the boys and was stricter with the girls (probably because she was the woman of the house from a very young age).

But they were strict too. George was strict about education (since he didn't have a chance to be formally educated like his older brothers). He was very strict about where he would send Wash Parke Custis to college (and I think someone recommended he ask Hamilton where he was sending Philip, since Philip was a few months younger). He was super strict with Jack, Wash's father, but both boys were lazy about schooling and just overall uninterested, and in the end deferred to Martha (in Jack's case) and Nelly Calvert and David Stuart (since they were Wash's mother and stepfather). Neither of them ended up finishing school. The girls were also tutored really well in dance (I think), music, embroidery, etc. They were well read and were able to read and write proficiently. Martha was more lax about the boys' education (I don't think she actually had a formal education and would often use secretaries to write her letters and then she'd copy them and sign them), but she was known to be pretty strict with the girl's education (since all that jazz was vital to them finding a husband and all that).

[the-last-texian]

How Robert E. Lee stole Sam Houston’s girl

“Houston had, however, been persistent in attending the fairer sex. In Virginia, he had paid some court to a Miss Sophia Reid, the granddaughter of a Tennessee friend, which came to naught…Afterward, though, came another in the succession of his Misses: he began calling on Mary Parke Custis, heiress of Arlington mansion and descendant by marriage of George Washington. Houston was not unreasonable in thanking he had the inside track: apparently they had the friendship of Lafayette in common…But in this instance, the ambitious suitor reached too high, and Miss Custis had to tell him he lost out to a bashful cadet named Robert E. Lee. This misfire he took less well than his other, questioning “the good taste and discernment of Mary Custis who preferred to tie herself by long engagement to that shy underclass man at West Point when she might have been Houston’s bride and the belle of Washington Society.””

Sam Houston by James L. Haley pg 42

[orlissa]

I’m currently reading a book, American Royals by Katharine McGee, with the premise “what if George Washington became king instead of president, and his line were still on the throne today?” Of course, this is just a backdrop to the romance-drama (because the crown princess cannot marry a lowly bodyguard, etc.), which is, like, nice, but do you know what I really wanna know?

George Washington had no biological children, so who followed him on the throne, technically establishing the dynasty? (The text mentions a George II in the early 19th century, so presumably George Washington Parke Custis, GW’s grandson through his adopted son, John Parke Custis)

What effect of the monarchy had on the Civil War? (It is referenced in the text that it happened, but holly molly, it must have happened differently)

The text mentions that since the US did not become a democracy, other countries were not inspired to throw off their monarchies, so France, Russia, Astro-Hungary still have kings and queens--which is, cool concept, but give me details.

Really, give me a whole damn textbook on this hypothetical timeline, because the idea is just so damn fascinating, okay?

(BTW, here is a video on who would be the king of the US today if GW accepted the crown.)

[adrienne-lafayette-official]

My Lovely Family

@general-lafayette: my amazing husband <3

@georges-washington and @anastasie-de-lafayette: my children (D’artagnan and Virginie, as well)

@generalgeorgewashington: father in law

@martha-washington-official: mother in law

@lauraroleplayss: sister in law

@madelineblunt: sister in law

@annblunt: sister in law

@parke-custis-children: brother and sister in law

———

My friends

@alexander-hamilton-2022

@lauraroleplayss (bestie as well <3)

@askmarthajefferson