Freedman's Village

George Washington Parke Custis

George Washington Parke Custis was an American plantation owner, writer, and public figure best known for being the adopted grandson of George Washington. Born on April 30, 1781, Custis was the son of John Parke Custis, the son of Martha Washington from her first marriage, and Eleanor Calvert.

After the death of his father when George was just six months old, he was taken in and raised by George and Martha Washington at Mount Vernon, where he grew up as part of the Washington family. Custis inherited a large amount of land from his father and other relatives, including the Arlington estate in present-day Arlington, Virginia.

George Washington Parke Custis - Plantation Owner

Union soldiers out front of Arlington House, 1864 Library of Congress

In 1802, he began constructing Arlington House, which would become his primary residence and a significant symbol of his family’s heritage. Custis was a passionate advocate for preserving the memory and legacy of George Washington. He dedicated much of his life to collecting and preserving artifacts related to Washington and the American Revolution. He also wrote several plays and essays, often focused on patriotic themes.

Although Custis was not deeply involved in politics or public office, he was a prominent figure in Virginia society. His daughter, Mary Anna Randolph Custis, married Robert E. Lee, who would become the famous Confederate general during the American Civil War. Custis passed away on October 10, 1857. In his will, he stipulated that the slaves on his estate be emancipated within five years, which played a significant role in the history of Arlington House, which later became the site of Arlington National Cemetery.

The Civil War

Arlington House

The conflict began on April 12, 1861, when Confederate forces fired on Fort Sumter, marking the start of the Civil War.

Shortly after, Robert E. Lee resigned from his position in the U.S. Army and accepted command of Virginia’s military forces, aligning with the Confederacy. While Lee left to lead Virginia’s troops, his wife, Mary Lee, remained at Arlington House.

Anticipating that the estate would soon be occupied by Union forces, Mary began to prepare for their arrival. She removed the most valuable Washington family heirlooms from the house to safeguard them. On May 15, 1861, with the Union Army approaching, she fled the estate with a few of the family’s slaves. On May 24, 1861, Union troops crossed the Potomac River and occupied the Arlington estate, which was strategically important for defending Washington, D.C.

Despite the occupation, many of the slaves who had lived on the estate continued to reside there for several years. In December 1862, in accordance with the will of George Washington Parke Custis, Robert E. Lee formally emancipated the slaves at Arlington House.

repurposed Estate

The Union Army repurposed Arlington estate for various military and social uses during the war. In 1863, Freedman’s Village was established on the property, providing a community for newly freed African Americans. The following year, 200 acres of the estate were designated for Arlington National Cemetery, which would become one of the most hallowed burial grounds in the United States.

Estate Purchase

The fate of Arlington House was sealed on January 11, 1864, when the United States government purchased the estate at a public auction for $26,800. The purchase marked a significant moment in the history of the estate, transforming it from a private residence into a symbol of national reconciliation and remembrance.

Freedman's Village-Greene Heights
Arlington, Virgina

Freedman’s Village

The village was created as a response to the large number of formerly enslaved African Americans, known as “contrabands.) who sought refuge behind Union lines during the war. These individuals had fled from the Confederate South and needed a place to live and start anew.

Freedman’s Village was designed to provide housing, education, and employment opportunities for these newly freed individuals. The village included homes, schools, churches, and even a hospital.

The government aimed to create a self-sustaining community where former slaves could live independently and learn skills necessary for their new lives as free citizens. The village thrived for many years, becoming home to several thousand residents, some of whom were descendants of the original inhabitants of Arlington estate.

Freedman’s Village was designed to provide housing, education, and employment opportunities for these newly freed individuals. The village included homes, schools, churches, and even a hospital.

Regulations for the Freedman’s Village

The regulations governing the village highlight the complexities of transitioning from slavery to freedom and the challenges of integrating former slaves into American society. The village existed until 1900 when it was dismantled, and the land was absorbed into Arlington National Cemetery.

The regulations laid the groundwork for the establishment of similar communities across the South, where newly freed individuals sought to rebuild their lives.

Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands and NARA

Freedman's Village Records

Records Group 92

Consolidated Correspondence File, 1794-1890. (RG92) NARA

M1902 - Ancestry.com

Subordinate Field Office – Freedmen’s Village

M1902 FamilySearch

M1055

Descriptive Pamphlet – District of Columbia (M1055)

Roll 21, Other records, monthly reports of bureau of tenants

FamilySearch

Ancestry.com

Arlington Cemetery

Today, there are no visible remnants of Freedman’s Village on the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery. The land where the village once stood has been entirely repurposed, and no structures from the village remain. However, the legacy of Freedman’s Village endures in the history of Arlington National Cemetery, where some of its former residents and their descendants are buried. The cemetery itself serves as a powerful reminder of the Civil War and the transition from slavery to freedom in the United States. In recent years, efforts have been made to commemorate the history of Freedman’s Village, including historical markers and educational initiatives that tell the story of the village and its significance in American history.

Arlington is the premier national military cemetery, where members of the U.S. armed forces who have served their country with distinction are buried. The cemetery also honors veterans, including those who served in wars dating back to the American Revolution.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: One of the most iconic monuments within Arlington is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It serves as a tribute to unidentified service members who died in combat. The tomb is guarded 24/7 by the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment, known as “The Old Guard.”

Freedman's Village

George Washington Parke Custis

George Washington Parke Custis - Plantation Owner