Selina Norris Gray | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Grey (right) with two of her children | |
| Born | December 1823 |
| Died | 1907 (aged 83–84) |
Selina Norris Gray (December 1823 – 1907) was an African American woman known for saving some of George Washington's heirlooms when Union soldiers seized and occupied Arlington House, the home of Confederate Army General Robert E. Lee on May 24, 1861.[1]
When Lee and his wife fled Arlington House, Gray was given the keys to the mansion and responsibility for the main house.[1] The house had heirlooms from George Washington—china, furniture, and art work—because Mary Anna Custis Lee was the great-granddaughter of Martha Washington.[1] Mary Lee's father, George Washington Parke Custis, who built the house, had also been raised by the Washingtons.[1]
Union soldiers took over the house, cut down much of the surrounding trees for firewood and treated the house poorly.[2] Gray noticed that some items were missing.[1] She told the soldiers not to touch "Mrs. Lee's things" and later complained to Union General Irvin McDowell, after which the remaining heirlooms including "a bookcase, knife boxes, dinner plates, a creamer and other china, and a side table" were sent to the Patent Office for safekeeping.[1][2]
- ^ a b c d e f Ruane, Michael E. (2014-10-09). "Rare photo of Robert E. Lee's slave shows hero of Arlington, Selina Gray". Washington Post. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
- ^ a b O’Connell, Kim A. (2016-12-13). "Arlington's Enslaved Savior: Selina Gray". HistoryNet. Retrieved 2021-05-04.