Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Custis Family
Abingdon Plantation
In 1778, Custis made a contract with the Alexanders to buy their land. George Washington warned him of the disagreeable terms of sale; however, he wanted so much to live near Mt. Vernon that he ignored his stepfather’s warnings. The Custis family moved to the estate, which they named Abingdon. Their third daughter, Eleanor “Nelly” Parke Custis, was born at Abingdon in 1779 and a son, George Washington Parke Custis, was born in 1781 at Mount Airy, Maryland, the Calvert family home. [Editor’s note: See related markers for a link to the historical marker about Mount Airy].
Unfortunately, John Parke Custis did not live to see George Washington become the first President of the United States. Custis died of “camp fever” after the British army surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia in 1781. Washington adopted the two youngest Custis children, Nelly and George, who moved from Abingdon to live with their grandparents at Mount Vernon.
In 1783, Custis’ widow, Eleanor, married Dr. David Stuart, whom Washington appointed to help plan the nation’s new capital city while the family continued to live at Abingdon. After John Parke Custis’ death, Abingdon was returned to the Alexanders in 1792.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1778.
Location. 38° 51.074′ N, 77° 2.685′ W. Marker is in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It is in Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Marker is located between the parking garages at Ronald Reagan National Airport. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Arlington VA 22202, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Abingdon Plantation (here, next to this marker); The Hunter Family (here, next to this marker); The Industrial Age (a few steps from this marker); Abingdon Plantation Restoration (a few steps from this marker); Abingdon (a few steps from this marker); The Alexander Family (within shouting distance of this marker); The Ages of Abingdon (within shouting distance of this marker); Ronald Reagan (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arlington.
More about this marker. At the top of the marker is an illustration of "Abingdon, as it may have appeared in 1778."
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Mount Airy in Maryland, the Calvert family home.
Also see . . . Abingdon Plantation. (Submitted on July 11, 2011, by Bernard H. Berne of Arlington, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,120 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 17, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 18, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.