George Washington Parke Custis
Step-grandson of George Washington

Tobias Lear's letters frequently refer to his duties as tutor of the Washington's grandson, one of four children of Martha's only son "Jackey" Custis by her first marriage who died young. "Little Washington" and his sister Nelly were are pictured in the famous Savage painting of the Washington Family during the first presidency. Lear and the President discuss the poor educational performance of young George at boarding school. One diary entry reveals a happier time when the Lears, the Washingtons and their two grandchildren all spend a [;easant day the horse races.

Illustration attributed to a pastel by James Sharples At Washington and Lee University from a photography in the Frick Art Reference Library.

Illustration from:
"Private Affairs of George Washington: From the Records and Accounts of Tobias Lear, Esquire, his Secretary," by Stephen Decatur, Jr, Riverside Press, Boston, 1933.

Click here for a photo of the elderly "Little Washington" Custus

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