Maria Carter Syphax facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maria Carter Syphax
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| Children | William Syphax, John B. Syphax, Charles Syphax  |
Maria Carter Syphax (1803 – 1886) was an important leader of the Syphax family. This was a well-known African American family in the Washington, D.C. area. Her family members became community leaders, government workers, and teachers.
Maria was born into slavery as Maria Carter. Her mother was an enslaved woman named Airy or Arianna Carter. Her father was George Washington Parke Custis, who was Martha Washington's grandson. This made Maria a great-granddaughter of the first First Lady.
In 1826, Custis freed Maria Syphax and her two children. He also gave her 17 acres of land from his Arlington estate. Later, in his will, Custis freed Maria's husband, Charles Syphax. This meant the family owned land and were free people of color before the American Civil War.
During the Civil War, some of Maria's land was taken by the government. But her son, William Syphax, worked for the US government. He used his connections to help Congress pass a law to give her land back. Maria's children and grandchildren continued to live in the Washington, D.C. area. They became important leaders in many ways.
Early Life and Freedom
Maria Carter was born in 1803. Her father was George Washington Parke Custis, Martha Washington's grandson. Her mother was an enslaved maid named Airy or Arianna Carter. Maria later said that Custis told her he was her father.
Maria worked at Arlington House until 1826. This was the large home Custis built in Virginia. There, she met Charles Syphax, an enslaved man. Charles managed the dining room at Arlington House.
Maria and Charles were married in the parlor of Arlington House in 1826. This was a special privilege not given to other enslaved people Custis owned. In the same year, Custis freed Maria and her two children. He also gave her 17 acres of his Arlington property. Charles Syphax was freed by Custis's will in 1857, after Custis passed away.
Getting the Land Back
After Custis died, his daughter and son-in-law, Robert E. Lee, owned the Arlington estate. During the American Civil War, the government took Lee's property. Maria Syphax's land was also taken because there was no written record of Custis giving it to her.
The Freedmen's Bureau created a village for newly freed slaves on part of the Syphax property. This village was called Freedman's Village.
Maria's son, William Syphax, became an important person in Washington, D.C. He worked for the US Department of the Interior. William used his connections to help his mother. In 1866, the US Senate passed a law called the "Bill for the Relief of Maria Syphax." This law was signed and gave the Arlington land back to the Syphax family.
Maria's Family
Maria Syphax had ten children:
- Elinor B. Syphax Reeves (1823-1910)
- William Syphax (1825-1891)
- Charles Syphax (1829-1885)
- Cornelius Syphax (1831-1885)
- Colbert Syphax (1834-1896)
- Austin Syphax (1836-1880)
- John B. Syphax (1838-1916)
- Shaulter Syphax (1840-1891)
- Ennis Syphax (1841-1880)
- Maria Syphax Frost (1844-1878)
