Who Owned Arlington Before the Civil War?

Before the Civil War, Arlington was home to the Lee family and Confederate General Robert E. Lee. When Union troops began to advance in 1861, the Lee family moved from their property. By the war's end, the Union Army had outgrown the Washington, D.C. area cemeteries, and by 1864, Arlington had become a national military cemetery.

George Washington Parke Custis owned Arlington before the Civil War but did not live there. He inherited the estate from his father, who died in 1781. He used the estate to build a large mansion. The mansion was modeled after the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens. Custis also wrote historical plays and delivered patriotic addresses. Custis even wrote a book about George Washington entitled "Recollections and Private Memoirs of George Washington."

Before the Civil War, Custis owned two large plantations and property in four Virginia counties. He also promoted agricultural reform and commercial independence. However, he disapproved of slavery on economic grounds and supported gradual emancipation. Custis was also an active member of the American Colonization Society. Although he disagreed with slavery, he ordered the freedom of 196 enslaved people within five years of his death.

After George Washington Parke Custis died, he left Arlington House to his daughter Mary, who was living in Arlington at the time. Sadly, the house was in disrepair by the time of the war. Lee had taken three years off from his military duties to care for the estate. In the meantime, Lee took advantage of the slaves who lived there.

The Syphax family traces its roots to an enslaved woman in the 1790s who was married to a free black preacher. In 1802 her son, George Washington Parke Custis inherited the property. He oversaw the construction of Arlington House, which stands on the grounds of Arlington Cemetery. He later married a woman named Maria Carter, the daughter of an enslaved woman.

The family's history is rich in accomplishments and prestige, tracing its roots back to African royalty. Their descendants have had important roles in the African American community in Arlington County. Their influence is still felt today. Although they were not able to own a plantation, the Syphax family did leave a mark on the history of the town.

William Syphax was a prominent African-American figure. He received his education first at Arlington and then went on to attend private schools in Washington, D.C., where he earned deep respect. He later served as a trustee of the Colored Public Schools in D.C. and for three years was both its chairman and treasurer.

Before the Civil War, the Lee family owned a house in Arlington, Virginia. The house was known as Arlington House. It had a strategic view of Washington, D.C., and was valued at $150,000. When Lee died on October 12, 1870, the ownership issue was still unresolved.

The Lee family was very rich and influential. Lee was born in 1807, the son of Henry "Light-Horse Harry" Lee, who served as a cavalry officer during the American Revolution. Lee's father also served as the Governor of Virginia and a member of Congress. His mother, Ann Hill Carter Lee, was the granddaughter of Robert "King" Carter. Lee grew up on Stratford Hall plantation, surrounded by thirty enslaved African Americans.

Lee inherited a number of enslaved people when he and his wife were married. His wife inherited a family of enslaved people from her father. Lee used these workers for the estate, and he forced them to work for him to help pay off the debts. He then purchased Arlington House, a house in Arlington near Washington, D.C. The house had debts and nearly 200 enslaved people. Lee's father-in-law, George Washington Park Custis, wanted these slaves freed within five years. Lee became the owner of hundreds of enslaved people who he was often described as harsh and combative with.

Mary Custis Lee was the owner of the Arlington House prior to the Civil War. She had a great love for the property and had lived there for many years. When the Civil War broke out, Washingtonians demanded that Lee forfeit his property to the Confederate government. However, Mary did not want to leave. She was very proud of the house and packed up all of her family heirlooms, including a large collection of Washington heirlooms. She did not ask her children to come help with the packing. Her husband was away at the White House with his wife and children, Rooney was with his wife at school, Annie was visiting a new baby, and Rob and Mildred were in school. Mary Custis Lee was not able to return to Arlington for almost ten years.

Despite her desire to own the property, Lee had little money and was unable to pay her property taxes. As a result, her property tax payments became delinquent and eventually went on the auction block in the Alexandria Courthouse. Custis Lee's cousin, Phillip Fendall, attempted to pay the taxes but was turned down. The government knew that her health was not good, and it did not want her to be forced to pay taxes, which she could not do.