Eleanor “Nelly” Parke Custis Lewis: First Granddaughter of Our Nation and Her Ties to Audley Farm
Source: Mount Vernon
Nestled in the rolling hills of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, Audley Farm holds a remarkable place in American history. At the heart of its legacy is Eleanor “Nelly” Parke Custis Lewis—step-granddaughter of George Washington, cherished granddaughter of Martha Washington, and one of the most fascinating women of the early American republic.
Born in 1779, Nelly was the granddaughter of Martha Washington through her first marriage to Daniel Parke Custis. Daniel died suddenly in 1757, leaving Martha a wealthy widow. Martha married George Washington in 1759. After the death of their father in 1781, Nelly and her brother, George Washington “Washy” Parke Custis, were taken in and raised at Mount Vernon by George and Martha Washington as their own children.
Source: Mount Vernon
Growing up in the care of the Washingtons afforded Nelly a unique upbringing in New York, Pennsylvania, and, of course, Mount Vernon. Nelly received a classical education, which was unusual for young women of her time. She studied music, art, French, and literature and was known for her intelligence, wit, and charm. George Washington held a deep affection for her, calling her his “little darling.” Visitors to Mount Vernon frequently wrote about Nelly’s accomplishments and grace, and she played hostess during Washington’s presidency in Philadelphia, offering a glimpse of the refined hospitality that would later mark her time at Audley Farm.
In 1799, the same year George Washington passed away, Nelly married Lawrence Lewis, George Washington’s favorite nephew. Their union was not only one of love but also a continuation of the Washington family’s legacy. In 1802, the couple moved to Woodlawn Plantation, adjacent to Mount Vernon.
Source: Mount Vernon
Nelly would then move to Audley Farm after they sold Woodlawn and her beloved husband passed away in 1840. Nelly brought to it the elegance and strength she had cultivated at Mount Vernon. She remained at Audley with her son, Lorenzo, and his family, carrying forward the Washingtons’ values of leadership, hospitality, and quiet influence.
Today, Audley Farm is one of the oldest continually operating farms in Virginia. Its historic significance is inseparable from Nelly Custis Lewis’s presence here. She remains a symbol of grace, patriotism, and resilience—a woman who moved in the highest circles of the new republic, yet chose a life rooted in family, community, and the land. She died at Audley Farm in 1852 and was buried at Mount Vernon.
Source: Clarke County Historical Association
As we launch this blog and invite you to learn more about Audley’s past and present, we begin with Nelly not only because of her connection to George and Martha Washington, but because her story is woven into the very fabric of Audley Farm—and it continues to inspire us today.
