New Kent in New Kent County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
John Parke Custis
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Martha Dandridge
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 28, 2009
1. John Parke Custis Marker (west face).
John Parke Custis
Born at White House, New Kent County in 1755. Died at Eltham, New Kent County, November 1781, where his body remains.
This marker placed by the Sons of the Revolution in Virginia 1960
While acting as aide to General Washington in the Yorktown Campaign, he became seriously ill and was taken to the home of his aunt, Mrs. Burwell Bassett, where he died November 1781, with General and Mrs. Washington at his bedside.
Son of Martha Dandridge Custis, who later married George Washington; he married Eleanor Calvert and had four children, the youngest of whom were Eleanor Parke Custis and George Washington Parke Custis, who were raised at Mount Vernon by their grandmother and step-grandfather.
Martha Dandridge
Born in 1731 at Chestnut Grove in this county. Married first, Daniel Parke Custis in 1749 and became mother of John Parke Custis. In 1759 married George Washington. She died in 1802 and is buried at Mount Vernon.
Erected 1960 by Sons of the Revolution in Virginia.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary
this page online
Location. 37° 31.07′ N, 76° 58.716′ W. Marker is in New Kent, Virginia, in New Kent County. It can be reached from the intersection of New Kent Highway and Courthouse Circle. This marker is located on the lawn in front of the New Kent County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Kent VA 23124, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on the Peninsula and in Coastal Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Tidewater. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Martha Washington's Birthplace (here, next to this marker); Samuel Wilson Crump (1919-1995) (a few steps from this marker); James Lafayette (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named James Lafayette (a few steps from this marker); Confederate Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named New Kent Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to New Kent (within shouting distance of this marker); New Kent Ordinary (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Kent.
Another marker is no longer nearby. New Kent Courthouse (was within shouting
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 28, 2009
2. John Parke Custis Marker (south face).
Also see . . .
1. Martha Washington. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Submitted on April 7, 2009.)
2. John Parke Custis. Mount Vernon Ladies Association (Submitted on November 10, 2021.)
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 28, 2009
3. John Parke Custis Marker (east face).
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 28, 2009
4. Martha Dandridge Marker (north face).
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 28, 2009
5. John Parke Custis and Martha Dandride marker at New Kent County Courthouse.
Internet Archive
6. John Parke Custis
From The Home of Washington, or, Mount Vernon and Its Associations by Benson John Lossing, 1871, page 98.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 7, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,310 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 7, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 6. submitted on January 7, 2021, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
