Stratford Hall and the Lees Connected With Its History: Biographical, Genealogical and Historical

STRATFORD HALL AND THE LEES CONNECTED WITH ITS HISTORY

BIOGRAPHICAL, GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL

COMPILED AND PUBLISHED BY FREDERICK WARREN ALEXANDER Member of the Historical Society of Virginia

OAK GROVE, VA. 1912

F. W. ALEXANDER

COPYRIGHTED 1912

The owner of this book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . is hereby made an honorary member of the Lee Birthplace Memorial Committee.

DEDICATED to the PATRIOTIC ORDER SONS OF AMERICA.

That Great Association of Americans which has done so much to perpetuate the memory of our great men and preserve our historic spots for the benefit of posterity.

F. W. Alexander.

Oak Grove, Va., 1912.

List of Illustrations

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Lee Memorial Certificate Lee Coat of Arms Colonel Richard Lee, 1 Anne Lee, (Mrs. Richard, 1) Colonel Richard Lee, 2 Laetitia Corbin Lee, (Mrs. Richard, 2) Colonel Thomas Lee, 3 Stratford Hall Hannah (Ludwell) Lee (Mrs. Thomas, 3) Richard Henry Lee, 4 Fac-Simile of the Original Resolution for Independence Francis Lightfoot Lee, 4 William Lee, 4 Arthur Lee, 4 Major General Henry Lee 5, (Light Horse Harry) Fac-Simile of the Medal awarded 1778 General Henry Lee's Grave Judge Charles Lee, 5 Anne Lee (Mrs. Charles, 5) Richard Bland Lee, 5 Theodoric Lee, 5 Edmund Jennings Lee, 5 Admiral Samuel Phillips Lee, 6 Elizabeth (Blair) Lee, (Mrs. Samuel Phillips, 6) Major John Fitzgeral Lee, 6 Charles Carter Lee, 6 Captain Sydney Smith Lee, 6 General Robert Edward Lee, 6 Mary Anne Randolph Custis Lee, (Mrs. R.E., 6) Arlington House Edmund Jennings Lee, 7 Cassius F. Lee, 7 Blair Lee, 7 Anne Clymer (Brooks) Lee, (Mrs. Blair Lee), 7 Major General Fitzhugh Lee, 7 Major General George Washington Custis Lee, 7 Major General William Henry Fitzhugh Lee, 7 Brigadier General Edwin Gray Lee, 7

CONTENTS.

The Lees Born at Stratford The Lees who have lived at Stratford, but not born there The Lees of England

First Generation.

Colonel Richard Lee, Founder of the family in Virginia Anne Lee, his wife Their Children

Second Generation.

John Lee, (Richard 1) Richard Lee, (Richard 1) Laetitia (Corbin) Lee, his wife Their Children Hancock Lee, (Richard 1) Mary (Kendall) Lee, his first wife Their Children Sarah (Allerton) Lee, his second wife Their Children Charles Lee, (Richard 1) Elizabeth (Medstand) Lee, his wife Their Children

Third Generation.

Richard Lee, (Richard 2, Richard 1) Martha (Silk) Lee, his wife Their Children Phillip Lee, (Richard 2, Richard 1) Sarah (Brooke) Lee, his first wife Their Children Elizabeth (widow of Henry Sewall) his scond wife Their Children Colonel Thomas Lee, (Richard 2, Richard 1) Hannah (Ludwell) Lee, his wife Their Children Henry Lee, (Richard 2, Richard 1) Mary (Bland) Lee, his wife Their Children

Fourth Generation.

George Lee, (Richard 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Elizabeth (Wormley) Lee, his first wife Their Children Anne (widow of Lawrence Washington) Lee, his second wife Their Children Phillip Ludwell Lee, (Thomas 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Elazabeth (Steptoe) Lee Their Children Thomas Ludwell Lee, (Thomas 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Mary (Aylett) Lee Their Children Richard Henry lee, (Thomas 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Ann (Aylett) Lee, his first wife Their Children Anne (widow of Mr. Pinkard) Lee, his second wife Their Children Francis Lightfoot Lee, (Thomas 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Rebecca (Tayloe) Lee his wife Wm. Lee, (Thomas 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Hannah Philippa (Ludwell) Lee, his wife Their Children Arthur Lee, (Thomas 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Henry Lee, (Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Lucy (Grymes) Lee, his wife Their Children

Fifth Generation.

Thomas Ludwell Lee, (Thomas Ludwell 4, Thomas 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Fanny (Carter) Lee, his wife Their Children George Lee, (Thomas Ludwell 4, Thomas 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Evelyn Byrd (Beverly) Lee, his wife Their Children Thomas Lee, (Richard Henry 4, Thomas 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Mildred (Washington) Lee, his first wife Eliza (Brent) Lee, his second wife Their Children Ludwell Lee, (Richard Henry 4, Thomas 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Flora (Lee) Lee, his first wife Their Children Elizabeth (Armistead) Lee, his second wife Their Children Francis Lightfoot Lee, (Richard Henry 4, Thomas 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Elizabeth (Fitzgerald) Lee, his first wife Jane (Fitzgerald) Lee, his second wife Their Children Major General Henry Lee, (Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Matilda (Lee) Lee, his first wife Their Children Ann Hill (Carter Lee, his second wife Their Children Charles Lee, (Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Ann (Lee) Lee, his first wife Their Children Margaret (widow of Mr. Peyton) Lee, his second wife Their Children Richard Bland Lee, (Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Elizabeth (Collins) Lee, his wife Their Children Theodoric Lee, (Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Catherine (Hite) Lee, his wife Their Children Edmund Jennings Lee, (Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Sarash (Lee) Lee, his wife Their Children

Sixth Generation.

Samuel Phillips Lee, (Francis Lightfoot 5, Richard Henry 4, Thomas 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Elizabeth (Blair) Lee, his wife Their Children John Fitzgerald Lee, (Francis LIghtfoot 5, Richard Henry 4, Thomas 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Eleanor Ann (Hill) Lee, his wife Their Children Henry Lee, (Henry 5, Henry 4, H enry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Anne R. (McCarty) Lee, his wife Their Children Charles Carter Lee, (Henry 5, Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Lucy Penn (Taylor) Lee, his wife Their Children Sydney Smith Lee, (Henry 5, Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard, 2 Richard 1) Anna Maria (Mason) Lee, his wife Their Children General Robert Edward Lee, (Henry 5, Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Mary Ann Randolph (Custis) Lee, his wife Their Children Richard Bland Lee, (Richard Bland 5, Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Julia Ann Marion (Prosser) Lee, his wife Their Children Zaccheus Collins Lee, (Richard Bland 5, Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Martha Anne (Jenkins) Lee, his wife Their Children Edmund Jennings Lee, (Edumund Jennings 5, Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Eliza (Shepherd) Lee, his first wife Their Children Henrietta (Bedinger) Lee, his second wife Their Children Cassisus Francis Lee, (Edmund Jennings 5, Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Hanna Phillippa Ludwell (Hopkins) Lee, his first wife Their Children Richard Henry Lee, (Ludwell 5, Richard Henry 4, Thomas 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Mary Duncan (Mahone) Lee, his first wife Their Children Anne Edna (Jordan) Lee, his second wife Their Children

Seventh Generation.

Blair Lee, (Samuel Phillips 6, Francis Lightfoot 5, Richard Henry 4, Thomas 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Anne (Brooks) Lee, his wife Their Children General Fitzhugh Lee, (Sydney Smith 6, Henry 5, Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Ellen Bernard (Fowle) Lee, his wife Their Children George Washington Custis Lee, (Robert Edward 6, Henry 5, Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Wm. Henry Fitzhugh Lee, (Robert Edward 6, Henry 5, Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Charlotte (Wickham) Lee, his first wife Their Children Mary Tabb (Bolling) Lee, his second wife Their Children Robert Edward Lee, (Robert Edward 6, Henry 5, Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Charlotte (Haxall) Lee, his first wife Juliet (Carter) Lee, his second wife Their Children Edwin Gray Lee, (Edmund Jennings 6, Edmund Jennings 5, Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Susan (Pendleton )Lee, his wife Edmund Jennings Lee, (Edumund Jennings 6, Edmund Jennings 5, Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) Rebecca (Rust) Lee, his first wife Their Children Bessie Read (Neilson) Lee, his second wife

PREFACE

ON September 10, 1907, I presented a resolution before the Virginia State Camp, Patriotic Order Sons of America, then in Session in the City of Richmond, Va., which was unanimously adopted. It was in part as follow:

PREAMBLE

“Recognizing the importance of preserving for the benefit of posterity those historic and patriotic landmarks which are bound to leave a wholesome and everlasting influence on our future generations, and as there is situated in the county of Westmoreland, Stateof Virginia an old homestead, known as ‘Stratford,’ the ancestral home of the ‘Lees,’ the birthplace of many by that name, whose fame became great in our country's history.” (Here was recited a brief history of several of the Lees). Therefore, in view of the facts above recited, and believing, as members of the Patriotic Order Sons of America, that patriotism is one of the highest and noblest affection of the human soul, and that by disseminating sentiments of patriotism and creating a feeling fo devotion to country, we make the better citizens of our people; and believing that it is our duty as Americans to perpetuate the memory of those great men who, by their sacrifice, contributed so largely to the blessings and privileges which we now enjoy; therefore be it Resolved, That this state Camp authorize the Executive Committee to appoint a committee to be known as the “Lee Birthplace Memorial Committee,” consisting of as many members, and under such conditions as the Executive Committee may elect, for the purpose of purchasing the homestead known as “Stratford,” and raising money to pay for the same. Be it further Resolved, That it is the purpose of this committee to have “Stratford” purchased by the people, to refurnish it in the style of the period when these great men were born, to build a wharf and make it a place where patriotic citizens may gather and refresh their memory with the great deeds performed by these heroes of the past. Be it further Resolved, That we invite the people of this country and all organizations interested, to subscribe any amount up to $100 (small subscriptions being preferred, in order that more may have the opportunity to contribute). The name of every contributor (whether person or organization) shall be permanently and publicly preserved. All giving $100 to constitute the Roll of Honor, the name to be recorded in the order in which the contribution is received. The names of all contributors to be so arranged that all visitors may know the individuals and organizations to whom the country is indebted for the preservation of this historic spot.

In my work carrying out the above resolutions I found a majority of the people woefully ignorant of the history of this great family, with perhaps the exception of Richard Henry Lee, Light Horse Harry Lee and General R. E. Lee. And about all that is generally known of the latter was his record from 1861 to 1865, and the great service he rendered our country prior to 1861 and the great benefit he became to Education after 1865 were almost wholly forgotten.

The reason for this I assumed was that so much has been written about these great men that it was impossible for the ordinary reader to devote sufficient time or to secure the many books necessary for a thorough knowledge of the lives of this great family, and while I do not claim anything new within the covers of this book, the arrangement is such that anyone reading this volume may become thoroughly acquainted with the principal acts in the lives of over fifty Lees whose history is connected either directly or indirectly with “Stratford Hall,” the Ancestral Home of the Lee family which we are trying to preserve and for the benefit of which this book is published.

For a deeper study of the Lees herein mentioned I would refer the readers to the following Publications:

Lee of Virginia, By Edmund Jennings Lee, M. D. 1 vol. Old Churches and Families of Virginia,. By Bishop Meade, 2 vols. Memoirs of the War, By Henry Lee, 1 vol. Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, By John Sanderson, 9 vols. Letters of Wm. Lee. Howe's History of Va. Life of Arthur Lee, 2 vols., By R. H. Lee. American Reference Library. Memoirs of R. H. Lee, By A. L. Long. Universal Cyclopedia and Atlas. Memoirs of R. H. Lee and his correspondence.

This book gives a brief sketch of the Lees of England and the first seven generations in America and include the names of the children of the eighth. If this book is successful in inspiring any one to greater love of country, and to more nearly follow the examples set us by the great men herein mentioned, I shall feel amply rewarded for the time and patience spent in its compilation.

F. W. ALEXANDER.

Oak Grove, Va., 1912.

THE LEES BORN AT STRATFORD.

The Lees Who Have Lived at Stratford, But Not Born There.

THE LEES OF ENGLAND.

ON account of the many families by the name of Lee (though spelt differently) referred to in the earliest English records, the accurate tracing of their descendants is almost impossible, and as the object of this book is to give a brief history of those connected with “Stratford Hall,” it is sufficient to state that the record here produced, is from the best evidence obtainable at this time.

The first of this name we have any record of, is Hugo de Lee, father of Reyner de Lee, who was sheriff in 1201 and is the first Lee on record bearing the Fesse and Billetts, which have been their Coat of Arms and which Richard Lee brought to Virginia in 1641 and borne by his descendents for generations.

This Reyner de Lee had a son Thomas, who in turn had a son, John, and Thomas, one of which had a son Robert and these names together with Richard, or some one or more of them, have appeared in every generation since.

The first Lee of Langley, seems to have been Roger, son of John de Lee, of Lea Hall, descended from Sir Thomas Lee and Petronella Corbet.

The pedigree of this family, as registered in the Herald's College, covers a period of over seven hundred years, and the representatives at different times have been:

1569–Richard Lee Esq., of Langley and Humphrey Lee Esq., of Coton. 1584–John Lee Esq., of Coton. 1623–Sir Humphrey Lee, Baronet of Langley. 1663–Thomas Lee Esq., of Coton.

The Lee's of Coton and the Lee's of Langley, bore the same arms, showing them to be of the same family.

The office of Sheriff of Shropshire, has been filled by the following members of the family:

1201–Reyner de Lee. 1387–Robert de Lee. 1395–Sir Thomas Lee Knight. 1465–Ralph Lee. Esq. 1479–Richard Lee, Esq. 1496–Richard Lee, Esq. 1547–Thomas Lee, Esq. 1600–Humphre Lee, Esq. 1639–Sir Richard Lee, Baronet.

All evidence points to the fact that the immigrant was from the Shropshire family: He claimed it during his lifetime, and his children did also.

The immediate parentage of Richard Lee, the founder of the family in Virginia, has never been absolutely proven, but the best evidence obtainable, would suggest, that he was a brother of Thomas Lee, of Coton, who registered at the Herald's College in 1663.

COAT OF ARMS.

Coat of Arms of Col. Richard Lee. This is the form registered at the Herald's office in London, as borne by Col. Richard Lee, Secretary of State in Virginia, in 1659.