Near Cape Charles in Northampton County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Custis Tombs
John Custis II
1628-1695
John Custis IV
1678-1749
National
Historic Landmark
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1628.
Location. 37° 13.743′ N, 76° 0.215′ W. Marker is near Cape Charles, Virginia, in Northampton County. It can be reached from Arlington Chase Road (County Road 644) north of Custis Tomb Drive, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cape Charles VA 23310, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on the Eastern Shore. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, on the Delmarva Peninsula, 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Archaeology (within shouting distance of this marker); African Presence (within shouting distance of this marker); European Settlement (within shouting distance of this marker); American Indians (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Welcome to the Arlington Sites Preserve (about 300 feet away); Elijah Baker (approx. 2.1 miles away); a different marker also named Elijah Baker (approx. 2.1 miles away); Cape Charles Colored School (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Charles.
this page online
More about this marker. The Custis family home here was named Arlington. John Custis IV's son Daniel Custis was Martha Washington's first husband. Their grandson, G.W.P. Custis later built Arlington on the Potomac, named in honor of the original Custis home here. G.W.P. Custis' daughter married Robert E. Lee.
Regarding The Custis Tombs. Although the marker indicates a National Historic Landmark, it is actually on the National Register of Historic Places.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Also see . . .
1. Find A Grave link - John Custis II
Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, July 17, 2013
2. The Custis Tombs Marker
This is a previous iteration of the marker. Note that the inscription is identical although the stenciling is different.
2. Find A Grave link - John Custis IV. (Submitted on October 11, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.)
Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, July 17, 2013
4. The Custis Tombs Marker
Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, July 17, 2013
5. The Custis Tombs Marker
Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox
6. John Custis II tombstone text
Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox
7. John Custis II tombstone
Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, July 17, 2013
8. John Custis II tombstone
John Custis Esqr one of the
Councill and Major Genarall of
Virginia who departed this life ye
29th of Janvary 1696 Aged 66 years.
And by His Side a fon and daughter
of His Grandson John Custis whom
He had by the daughter of
Daniel Parke Esqr Cap. Genarall
and Chief Governor of the Leeward
Islands
Virtus Post Funera
Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, July 17, 2013
9. John Custis IV tombstone
of the Honorable John Custis Esqr
of the City of Williamfburg and Parish of Bruton
Formerly of Hungars Parifh on the Eaftern Shore of
Virginia and County of Northampton the
Place of His Nativity
Aged 71 Years and Yet liv'd but Seven Years
which was the fpace of time He kept
a Batchelors houfe in Arlington
on the Eaftern Shore of Virginia
Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox
10. John Custis IV tombstone (south side)
Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, July 17, 2013
11. John Custis IV tombstone text
Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,991 times since then and 574 times this year. Last updated on October 16, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Photos: 1. submitted on June 7, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on October 11, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 3. submitted on June 7, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4, 5. submitted on October 11, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 6, 7. submitted on October 13, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 8, 9. submitted on October 11, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 10. submitted on October 13, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 11. submitted on October 11, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
