Douglas Syphax

A military veteran, he was active in the Grand Army of the Republic in the late 19th century, and he also became a property developer in Philadelphia.

Mary Custis (1808–1873), Mariah's white half-sister, was to marry the Confederate General Robert E. Lee (1807–1870).

Their eldest son, William Syphax, was eventually appointed superintendent of Washington's black segregated school district.

[5] In 1864 he entered the Union Army, serving for ten months before being honorably discharged and reaching the rank of sergeant.

[7] In the late 1800s Syphax also became involved in speculative real-estate, as Philadelphia industry was attracting many new residents.

[5] Syphax was appointed to Post 3 in the Relief Committee of the Grand Army's Department of the Potomac, which was active from February 1888 to August 1889.

East front of Arlington Mansion in 1864. Douglas Syphax's relatives were married in the mansion.