Historical

Collect and preserve rare books, documents, diaries, letters, personal records, and other papers of historical importance relating to 1861 to 1865.

Benevolent

Work with civic organizations, including homeless shelters, battered women and children's homes, hospital associations, and food banks.

Educational

Assist descendants of worthy Confederates in securing an education through scholarships at the Chapter, Division, and General levels.

Memorial

Hold memorial observances to remember those who served in the War Between the States and the veterans of all wars.

Patriotic

Honor men and women of Confederate descent who have served their country in times of war by bestowing various military service awards.

Our Namesake

Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee was born October 1, 1808, at Arlington House, VA, to George Washington Parke Custis and Mary Lee Fitzhugh. The young Mary was a grandniece of Martha Washington, and her family was recognized among the "FFV" (First Families of Virginia). She knew Robert E. Lee from childhood, and they played together whenever he and his family visited her home.

Mary had several suitors when she grew up, but the man who won her heart was Robert. They married on June 30, 1831, at Arlington and had three sons and four daughters. Of the seven Lee children, only sons Rooney and Rob ever married.

Mary was a talented artist who drew portraits and painted landscapes, and she was a skilled gardener who grew eleven varieties of roses in her flower garden. She was well-educated in classical and modern literature and interested in reading and discussing books. Like many 19th-century ladies, she was very religious and a capable seamstress. Most of all, she was a devoted wife and mother.

As an adult, Mary developed rheumatoid arthritis, which she suffered from for many years. By 1861, she was confined to a wheelchair at a time when the war forced her to abandon her beloved home and take shelter elsewhere. After the war, the family lived at Washington and Lee College, where Robert served as President. Mary died November 5, 1873, and is buried next to her husband on campus in Lee Chapel, Lexington, VA.
Mary Custis Lee 1451 of Clearwater, FL, chose to honor Mrs. Lee's memory by naming their Chapter for her. In 1913, this Chapter was the first to honor her in this way.

Mary Custis Lee

Mary Custis Lee
1807-1873

Mary Anna Randolph Custis holds a parrot in this 1830 oil portrait by Auguste Hervieu. The painting was done shortly before her marriage to her distant cousin and childhood playmate Robert E. Lee.

"Rose of Arlington"

Every morning Robert would have a fresh cut rose from her garden placed at the table of his lady and daughters.
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Caroline Meriwether Goodlett

UDC Founder
Caroline Meriwether Goodlett
1833-1914

Anna Mitchell Davenport

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 country. The history of the UDC starts during the War Between the States when numerous ladies groups supported the Confederacy with any skills they had to offer, such as sewing or nursing. After the war, these ladies united together in Nashville, Tennessee, on September 10, 1894, to form a national organization with a clear set of objectives. Caroline Meriwether Goodlett of Tennessee was recognized as the founder and Anna Davenport Raines of Georgia as co-founder. On November 11, 1957, a Memorial Building and Great Hall were dedicated in Richmond, Virginia, to serve as headquarters. The Memorial Building also houses the business office along with two libraries.

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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.
  Last updated 20 Nov 2022