 |
~ Think, Love, Pray, Dare, Live ~ |
|
Historical
Collect and preserve rare books, documents, diaries, letters, personal records, and other papers of historical importance relating to the years 1861 to 1865.
Benevolent
Support hospitals, homeless and domestic violence shelters, humane societies and food banks, and actively volunteer in community service projects.
Educational
Provide educational scholarships for deserving descendants of Confederates at the Chapter, Division, and General levels.
Memorial
Hold memorial observances to remember not only the men who served in the War Between the States but also the veterans of all wars.
Patriotic
Recognize military service members for their honorable service, whether in times of peace or war, through the bestowal of military service awards.
Our Namesake
Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee was born on October 1, 1808, at Arlington House, Virginia. Her parents were George Washington Parke Custis and Mary Lee Fitzhugh. Mary was the grandniece of Martha Washington and her family was known among the First Families of Virginia. She and Robert E. Lee knew each other from childhood and used to play together whenever Robert and his family visited her home.
Mary had multiple admirers as she grew up. However, Robert was the one who captured her heart. They tied the knot on June 30, 1831, at Arlington, and they were blessed with three sons and four daughters. Among the seven children, only Rooney and Rob got married.
Mary was a gifted artist who specialized in drawing portraits and painting landscapes. She was also a skilled gardener who cultivated eleven varieties of roses in her flower garden. Mary was well-educated in classical and modern literature, and she had a keen interest in reading and discussing books. Like many ladies of the 19th century, she was deeply religious and a talented seamstress. Above all, Mary was a devoted wife and mother.
Mary developed rheumatoid arthritis as an adult and suffered from it for many years. By 1861, due to the war, she had to abandon her beloved home and seek shelter elsewhere. At that time, she was confined to a wheelchair. After the war, her family lived at Washington and Lee College where Robert served as President. Mary passed away on November 5, 1873, and was buried next to her husband on campus in Lee Chapel, Lexington, VA.
In 1913, the Clearwater Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy chose to honor Mrs. Lee's memory by naming their chapter after her.
Mary Custis Lee
1807-1873
Mary Anna Randolph Custis is pictured holding a parrot in this 1830 oil portrait painted by Auguste Hervieu. The artwork was created just before her marriage to Robert E. Lee.
"Rose of Arlington"
Every morning, Robert would place a freshly cut rose from Mary's garden on the table for his lady and daughters.
|
|
UDC Founder Caroline Meriwether Goodlett 1833-1914 |
|
|
UDC Co-founder Anna Davenport Raines 1853-1915 |
Our Organization
The United Daughters of the Confederacy® (UDC) is the oldest patriotic lineage organization in the United States. During the War Between the States, several women's groups supported the Confederacy by offering their skills, such as sewing or nursing. After the war, these groups united in Nashville, Tennessee, on September 10, 1894, to form a national organization with clear objectives. Caroline Meriwether Goodlett of Tennessee was recognized as the founder, while Anna Davenport Raines of Georgia was acknowledged as the co-founder. On November 11, 1957, a Memorial Building was dedicated in Richmond, Virginia. This building serves as headquarters and houses the business office and two libraries.
Disclaimer: The presence of links to outside websites does not imply endorsement, approval, or concurrence by the United Daughters of the Confederacy® on any level. The name "United Daughters of the Confederacy" is a registered trademark of the General Organization and may not be used outside the Organization without the express written consent of the United Daughters of the Confederacy®. The official UDC insignia is a registered trademark of the General Organization and may not be used without the express written consent of the President General.