Who was John Parke Custis?

Answer 1

Oh, dude, John Parke Custis was the stepson of George Washington. He was like a rich dude from Virginia back in the day. So, yeah, he was kind of a big deal, but like, not as big as his stepdad, you know?

Answer 2

Ah, John Parke Custis was the stepson of George Washington, a beloved figure in American history. He was known for his kindness and gentle nature, much like the happy little trees we paint. John played an important role in his family's life and left a positive impact on those around him.

Answer 3

John Parke Custis (1754-1781) was son of Daniel and Martha Custis.

John Custis' father died in 1757, and, in 1759, his mother married George Washington, becoming Martha Washington.

Thirty years later, in 1789, George Washington (John's stepfather) became the first President of the United States.

So John Parke Custis was son of the lady who later became the wife of the first President of the USA.

Brief biographyJohn Parke Custis was born in Virginia in 1754, and was one of the seven children of land-owners Daniel Parke Custis and Martha Dandridge Custis. In 1773 John became an heir of the Custis estate.

In 1774 John married Eleanor Calvert, and they had seven children, but only four survived to adulthood. In 1778 John purchased the Abingdon plantation in Fairfax County, Virginia. (The area where the plantation was situated is now called Arlington County)

John, as delegate for Fairfax County, was elected to the Virginia General Assembly in 1778.

But towards the end of the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) he contracted camp fever. Custis died on November 5th, 1782, at age 26, at the home of relatives who were caring for him, in Eltham, New Kent County.

The following year, in 1783, his widow married Dr David Stuart.

When Eleanor died, John's estate was finally liquidated. This including leaving many slaves to his four surviving children.

The Custis estate, his Abingdon plantation and other nearby property he purchased have seen many ownership changes since John's death.

For example, the grounds of the Ronald Reagan Washington Airport are on part of the former Abingdon plantation, and the Arlington National Cemetery is also situated on land that once belonged to John Parke Custis.