The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-27
MR.. CUsIIs WAS ECCENTRIC.
Some Peculfarities of Martha WASH
ington's Father-fn-Law.

A few miles north of the southern ex-
tremity of the Delaware-Chesapeak
peninsula, close to one of the two points
Cape Charles and Cape Henry-irst seen
by Newport and his band of adventures
early on the morning of April 26, 1907, when
they were blown into the mouth of the
Chesapeake, after having been driven all
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, Philadelphia 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 Virginia, a fruitful
race, and drop or more of whose blood
flows in the veins of many of the leading
families of Tidewater, Va. 1t derived
its name from the Earl of Arlington, one
of the ministers of Charles III, and from it
Arlington on the Potomac was named. 1t
was very large estate, and included
number of the islands on the Atlantic side
of the peninsula, among them Smiths ISL
and, which was In the possession of the
family as late 1859. The mansion has
long since passed away, and no vestige of
it remains, but near it's former site are two
old tombstones that once stood, is
~AOSO
old homestead.
1t needs no argument to convince those
who should be interested in their restor-
alton and preservation that they need i'm
mediate attention to save them from utter
ruin. 1t is semarkable, to say the least,
that such burial places are allowed to
drift out of the possession of the family
have been reserved as a burial ground. In
other parts, of the country such places are
neld sacred, and provision Is made Tor
their care and preservation by the
adjustment OF trust fund sutficient to
produce an income to pay for their care:
very small subscription from the almost
innumerable descendants of the old Rotter
dam innkeeperr would put this place in
proper condition. and leave a balance for
such trust fund.
The estate which these tombs are To-
Gated was granted to John Gusts 90, one
of the sons of John Custis %, the inn
keeper of Rotterdam, by his wife Joane;
his brothers and sisters being Thomas, of
Robert, of Rotterdam, and Ann, William
and Joseph, who came to Virginia. He was
born in $780,. and married twiee.first to
Alicia, and afterwards to Tabitha Scarburg,
daughter of Col. Edmund and Mary (Charl-
toni Searburg. He died Jan. 20, 1896. His
twice-first, Margaret Michael. daughter of
Capt. John and Elizabeth Thoroughgood
Michael, and. second. Sarah Lttleton, wild
of Capt. Adam Michael. He was COM
missioned collector of customs for the east
ern shore of Virginia in 1887 by Johannes,
IdOrO f1OWdTu. OF Ills Majesty
lieutenant and Governor-general of Virginia.
He had been previously made a major gen
era!, to command the eastern shore FORCES
during Bacon's rebellion. He was buried at
Wilsonia, near Eastville, northampton
county, and left number of children. Upon
"Here lyeth the body of John Gusts, Esq,
one of the Council of Virginia. Colonel and
Commander-in-chief of the militia of the
of Hon. John Gusts, of Arlington, and
departed this life 18th January. 171S, in the
garet. ye daughter of Mr. John Michaels,
by whom he 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
(and widow of Adam MichaeD, who sur
viyed him. but hopes to, be buried by him
accordingly. now she is. Departed this life
the 18th. day of April. Ammo Domin 1920
John Custis o. more Familiarity, known
as Martha Washington's father-in-law, son
Of John Gusts g. married . about l7o6, at
the eldest daughter of Col. Daniel Parke.
who, the tombstone of John Custis t2l
tells US. was ,"Captain-general and Chief
Governor of the Leeward islands," His
tory tells us that he was an aid-de-camp
to the Duke of Marlborough at the battle
bearer of the dispatch announcing to
Queen Anne the victory over the allied
mark of her regard. she presented him
with her miniature encircled with diamonds
testimonial He also served in Elan
ders, and was appointed lby Queen Anne
captain general and Chief Governor of the
Leeward islands. and while occupying that
john GUSTS "a was no ee doubt az Very ec
centric 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
as he W r cuss he eo%
troll her. In this however, he was sadly
mistaken: A Gusts was nowhere when
compared with Parke. 1t would be SIM
ply the toss of a copper to tell which was
the more disagreeable his eccentricities or
her temper.
1t is reported of them that they were re-
peatedly not on speaking terms, and would
not, for weeks at a time, say word to
the head of the table. as though they were
loving as most couples. All conversation
was carried on through servants. For in
stance, she would say to a dining-room
ASK your master if he will have coffee
or tea. and sugar and cream and he
TEL your mistress that Will take cof-
ret IS t related Of em mo ha Upon one
casion after one of these long spells of
silence, he dressed himself with great
and when it was driven up to the house
door he approached Mrs. Gusts. made her
and respectful manner asked her If She
would like. to take drive with him.
certainly, Mr.. GUSTS; certainly, sir.
When have you ever asked to drive
with you before? Certainly, sir; 1 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 beautiful and favor
lite drive, but instead of driving along the
shore he continued out into the water
Where are you going, Mr.. Custis?"
ITO HI madam
Drive on, sir,'' she said.
Presently the water began coming into
the foot of the gig.
Where, are you going, Mr.. custis?s"
ITO HI, madam"
Drive on. SIR she said
After while the horse began to swim
the old. high gig was almost floating, and
the water was up to the seats.
again l ask you, Mr.. Gusts, where are
you gong?'
"To HI. madam
Drive on, sir
At this he turned his horse about and
started back to shore, saying:
eff I was to go to hi, and the ID was
to come out to meet u.s. 1 do not believe
you would be frightened"
NO, sir she replied: II know you sc
well that I am always willing and moi
afraid to go where you CO."
! After this, tradition says, they lived hap.
| pier for some little time.
The Inscription which. was placed on his
tomb by his own positive orders tells his
| side of the story. He died
aged seventy-one years, and yet lived
| but seven years, which was the space }o1
I -