The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-02-20
some FAMILY HISTORY.
Peculiarities of Martha Washington's
Father-in-LaW.
The Temper of Parlke Found to be
Worse Than the Eccentricities
of a Custfs.


early on the morning of April 26. 1907.
when they were blown into the mouth of
the Chesapeake after having been driven
all the night before under bare poles by
furious tempest-is now located the town
of Cape Charles, the foundation OF which
was laid when the New York, Philadel-
phia and Norfolk Railroad was built
through the lower part of that peninsula.
This town is located on what was many
years ago the Arlington plantation, the
original seat of the Custis family in Vir-
Einia, fruitful race and a drop or more
of whose blood flows in the veins of
many Of the leading families of Tidewater
Virginia. 1t derived its name from the
Earl of Arlington, one of the ministers of
Charles H., and from it Arlington on the
Potomac was named. 1t was very large
estate, and included a number OF islands
on the Atlantic side of the peninsula,
among them Smiths Island, which was
in possession of the family as late as 1899.
The mansion has long since passed away,
and no vestige OF it remains, but near its
former site are two old tom bstoneS that
once stood, as is customary throughout
Virginia, close TO the old homestead.
1t needs no argument to convince those
who should be interested in their restcra-
mediate attention to save them from utter
ruin. 1t is remarkable, to say the least,
that such burial places are allowed to go
to ruin. They should have been reserved
as a burial ground. In other parts OF the
country such places are held sacred and
provision is made for their care and pres
erVation by the establishment OF a trust
fund sufficient to produce an income to
pay for their care. a very small SUBJ
Ecription from the almost innumerable
descendants of the old Rotterdam inn
keeper would put this place in proper
condition, and leave a balance for such a
trust fund.
The estate on which these tombs are
located was granted to John Custis (2l,
one of the sons of John CuStis o., the
inn-keeper of Rotterdam, by his wife
Joane; his brothers and sisters being
Thomas, of Baltimore. Ireland; Edmund,
OF London; Robert of Rotterdam, and
Ann, William and Joseph, VINO came to
Virginia. He was born IN 1850, and mar
red twice-tirst to Alicia, and afterwards
to Tabitha Scarburg, daughter OF Colonel
Edmund and Mary Charlton SCarburg.
lie died January %, 1896. His son, j ohm,
Custis 81, born 1868. married twice-nrst,
Margaret Michael, daughter OF Captain
John andfEliZabeth Thoroughbred Mich
ael, and, second, Sarah Littleton, widow of
Captain Adam Michael. He was commits
stoned Collector of Customs for the East
Lord Howard, OF Ethngham, his majes-
ty's Lieutenant and GCVernOr-General
OF Virginia. He had been previously
made Major-G eneraI to command the
Eastern Shore forces during Bacon's re-
bellion. He was buried at Wilsonia, near
Eastville. Northampton County, and
left number of children. Upon his
tomb is inscribed:
Here lyeth the body of John GUSTS,
one OF the Council of Virginia, Colonel
and COMMUNICATING Chief of the militia
of the Eastern Shore OF this Colony. He
was the son of Hon. John Custis OF Ar
lingtOn, and departed this life 10Th Janu-
airy, lib, in the Goth year of his age. His
first wife was Margaret, ye daughter of
Mr. John MlchaelS, by whom ne had
seven sons and three daughters, who,
with three of their sons, lies near him.
His second wife was Sarah, the daughter
of Colonel Southey Littleton land widow
OF Adam MichaeD, who survived him,
but hopes to be buried by him when she
dies, as was his desire. Which, accord
jngly, now she is. Departed this life the
18th day of April, Ammo Domini 1920,
and in the DIST year OF her age"
John Custis AZ, more Familiarity known
as Martha Washington's father-in-law,
son of John Custis 81, married about
1905, at Queens Creek" on York River,
Frances, the eldest daughter of Colonel
Daniel Parke, who, as the tom bstone OF
John Custis % tells us, was Captain
General and Chief Governor of the Lee
ward Islands" History tells US that he
was an aide-de-camp to the Duke of
Marlborough at the battle of Blenheim,
August 2, 1904, and was the bearer of the
dispatch announcing to Queen Anne the
victory over the allied forces. for which
services, and as a special mark OF her re-
gard, she presented him with her minia-
ture encircled with diamonds as testi-
monial. He also served in Flanders, and
was appointed by Queen Anne Captain
General and Chief Governor of the Lee
ward Islands, and while occupying that
office was murdered December TO- ITO.
This John Custis ~ was no doubt very
eccentric man, and his wife was endowed
with very violent temper. Both were
children OF wealthy, naughty and proud
parents, and they inherited these quail
ties from them. Before he married her
he was informed of her violent temper
but thought, as he was Cnstis, he could
control her. Ia this, however, he was
sadly mistaken. a GUSTS was nowhere
when compared with Parke. IL would
be simply the toss of a copper TO tell
which was the more disagreeable, his &C.
Centricities or her temper.
1t is reported of them that they were
repeatedly not on speaking terms, and
would not, for weeks at time, say a
word to one another; yet she would al
WAYS sit at the head of the table, as
though they were loving as most couples.
All conversation was carried on through
servants. For instance she would say TO
dining-room servant:
Ask your master if he will have coffee
or tea, and sugar and cream" and he
would reply:
Tell your mistress that l will take cof-
fee with cream and no sugar"
1t is related of them that upon one oc-
casion after one of these long spells of
Silence he dressed himself with great
care, ordered his horse hitched TO his gig,
and when it was driven up TO the house
door be approached Mrs. Custis, made her
a profound bow, and in the most digni-
fed and respectful manner, asked her if
she would like to take drive with him.
Certainly, Mr.. Custis; certainly sir!
When have you ever asked me to drive
with you before? Certainly, sir; L will
ride with you with pleasure"
Helping her into the gig, he seated HIM
self beside her and drove to the bay side,
which was always a beautiful and favor
lite drive, but instead OF driving along the
shore he continued out into the water.
"Where are you going, Mr.. Custis?''
''To HI, madam"
Drive on, STRIP she said.
Presently the water began coming into
the foot of the gig.
"Where are you going, Mr.. Custis?"
''To HI, madame
''Driye on sirn' she said.
After aw hile the horse began to swim.
the old, high gig was almost floating, and
the water was up TO the seat.
Again l ask you Mr.. Custis, where
are you going?"
ITO HI, madam!"
''Drive on, sirl'
Al this ne turned his horse about and
started back to shore, saying:
''If | was to go to HI, and the ID
was to come out to meet u.s. | do not be-