George Washington Parke Custis Papers, 1832/1856

Access and use

Location of collection:
College of William and Mary
Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Restrictions:

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Terms of access:

Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Preferred citation:

George Washington Parke Custis Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Summary

Extent:
0.50 Linear Feet
Creator:
Custis, George Washington Parke and Nelson, Francis
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

George Washington Parke Custis Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Background

Scope and content:

Papers, 1832-1856, of George Washington Parke Custis of "Arlington." The collection is mostly letters written to Francis Nelson, his farm manager at "White House," New Kent County, Virginia concerning growing and marketing crops, agricultural improvements, the effect of the proposed Richmond and York River Railroad on the plantation, and Robert E. Lee. There are a few additional letters to Nelson from merchants and railroad officials, and photostats of 2 additional Custis letters.

Biographical / historical:

George Washington Parke Custis was the son of John Parke Custis who was the stepson of George Washington. Custis' mother was Eleanor Calvert. He grew up at "Mount Vernon" after the death of his father. He married Mary Lee Fitzhugh and lived at "Arlington." His daughter Mary Anna Randolph Custis married Robert E. Lee. George Washington Parke Custis was a playwright and agricultural reformer. Further information about this individual or organization may be available in the Special Collections Research Center Wiki: .

Acquisition information:
Deposit: 55 items, 30 January 1948.
Processing information:

Processed by Peg Poeschl and Alan Strange during 1983-1984. Container list imported in November 2011 by Benjamin Bromley.

Arrangement:

Organization: This collection is organized three series: Series 1 contains materials dated 1832-1849, Series 2 contains materials dated 1850-1854, Series 3 contains materials dated 1855-1856. Arrangement: This collection is arranged chronologically by date.

Physical description:
55 items
Physical facet:
55 items.