This timeline traces the history of the 1,100 acres of land that make up our National Cemetery and how that history is intertwined with that of one of the most infamous generals of the Civil War.
George Washington Parke Custis and his slaves spent 16 years building the Arlington House, the family home on the 1,100 acre Arlington Heights estate
Robert E. Lee marries Mary Custis, the great-great granddaughter of Martha Washington and only daughter of George Washington Parke Custis. This union would secure his future home - the Arlington Estate.
George Washington Parke Custis dies leaving his entire estate to his daughter with Robert E. Lee as the executor. He stipulated that upon her death the estate in its entirety would pass to his oldest grandson, George Washington Custis Lee and his future heirs.
Abraham Lincoln was elected the 16th President of the United States.
As a direct result of the election of Lincoln (a known critic of slavery) the legislature of South Carolina votes to become the first state to secede from the Union.
Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas also voted to secede from the Union.
Jefferson Davis was elected president of the Confederate States of America. (CSA)
Fort Sumter was bombarded by Confederate troops. The fort was the first to be taken by the Confederacy.
Virginia seceded from the Union.
Robert E. Lee resigns his commission as a Colonel in the United States army in order to fight for his home state of Virginia. He penned his letter of resignation while sitting at his desk in the Arlington House.
