33 YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Gift of Edith and Maude Wetmobe in memory of their father George Peabody Wetmore B.A. 1867 SXRATTFORD 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 smber 6i. 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. Page Lee Memorial Certificate 5 Lee Coat of Arms 25 Colonel Richard Lee, 1 27 Anne Lee, (Mrs. Richard, 1) 33 Colonel Richard Lee, 2 3*3 Laetitia Corbin Lee, (Mrs. Richard, 2) 41 Colonel Thomas Lee, 3 47 Stratford Hall 59 Hannah (Ludwell) Lee, (Mrs. Thomas, 3) 6ii Richard Henry Lee, 4 77 Fac-Simile of the Original Resolution for Inde pendence 84 Francis Lightfoot Lee, 4 102 William Lee, 4 106 Arthur Lee, 4 113 Major General Henry Lee 5, (Light Horse Harry) 146 Fac-Simile of the Medal awarded 1778 151 General Henry Lee's Grave 163 Judge Charles Lee, 5 168 Anne Lee (Mrs. Charles, 5) 170 Richard Bland Lee, 5 172 Theodoric Lee, 5 174 Edmund Jennings Lee, 5 176 Admiral Samuel Phillips Lee, 6 179 Elizabeth (Blair) Lee, (Mrs. Samuel Phillips, 6) 184 Major John Fitzgerald Lee, 6 185 Charles Carter Lee, 6 ; 193 Captain Sydney Smith Lee, 6 197 General Robert Edward Lee, 6 204 Mary Anne Randolph Custis Lee, (Mrs. R. E., 6) 272 Arlington House 274 (9) List of Illustrations, (Continued.) Page Edmund Jennings Lee, 7 284 Cassius F. Lee, 7 288 Blair Lee, 7 295 Anne Clymer (Brooks) Lee, (Mrs. Blair Lee, 7) 297 Major General Fitzhugh Lee, 7 298 Major General George Washington Custis Lee, 7 311 Major General William Henry Fitzhugh Lee, 7 . 315 Brigadier General Edwin Gray Lee, 7 331 CONTENTS. The Lees Born at Stratford 21 The Lees who have lived at Stratford, but not born there 21 The Lees of England 22 First Generation. Colonel Richard Lee, Founder of the family in Virginia 27 Anne Lee, his wife 33 Their Children 33 Second Generation. John Lee, (Richard 1) 35 Richard Lee, (Richard 1) 36 Laetitia (Corbin) Lee, his wife 41 Their Children 41 Hancock Lee, (Richard 1) 42 Mary (Kendall) Lee, his first wife 42 Their Children 43 Sarah (Allerton) Lee, his second wife 43 Their Children 44 (10) CONTENTS (Continued.) Page Charles Lee, (Richard 1) 44 Elizabeth (Medstand) Lee, his wife 44 Their Children 44 Third Generation. Richard Lee, (Richard 2, Richard 1) 45 Martha (Silk) Lee, his wife 45 Their Children 45 Phillip Lee, (Richard 2, Richard 1) 46 Sarah (Brooks) Lee, his first wife 46 Their Children 46 Elizabeth (widow of Henry Sewall) his second wife 46 Their Children 46 Colonel Thomas Lee, (Richard 2, Richard 1) . . . . 47 Hannah (Ludwell) Lee, his wife 66 Their Children 67 Henry Lee, (Richard 2, Richard 1) 67 Mary (Bland) Lee, his wife 67 Their Children 67 Fourth Generation. George Lee, (Richard 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) . 69 Elizabeth (Wormley) Lee, his first wife 69 Their Children 69 Anne (widow of Lawrence Washington) Lee, his second wife 70 Their Children 70 Phillip Ludwell Lee, (Thomas 3, Richard 2, Rich ard 1) 70 Elizabeth (Steptoe) Lee 72 Their Children 72 (11) CONTENTS (Continued.) Page Thomas Ludwell Lee, (Thomas 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) 73 Mary (Aylett) Lee 76 Their Children 76 Richard Henry Lee, (Thomas 3, Richard 2, Rich ard 1) 77 Ann (Aylett) Lee, his first wife 100 Their Children 100 Anne (widow of Mr. Pinkard) Lee, his second wife 100 Their Children 100 Francis Lightfoot Lee, (Thomas 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) ; 102 Rebecca (Tayloe) Lee his wife 105 Wm. Lee, (Thomas 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) ... 106 Hannah Philippa (Ludwell) Lee, his wife 112 Their Children 112 Arthur Lee, (Thomas 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) . . 113 Henry Lee, (Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) . . . 132 Lucy (Grymes) Lee, his wife 138 Their Children 138 Fifth Generation. Thomas Ludwell Lee, (Thomas Ludwell 4, Thom as 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) 139 Fanny (Carter) Lee, his wife 139 Their Children 139 George Lee, (Thomas Ludwell 4, Thomas 3, Rich ard 2, Richard 1) 139 Evelyn Byrd (Beverly) Lee, his wife 140 Their Children 140 Thomas Lee, (Richard Henry 4, Thomas 3, Rich ard 2, Richard 1) 140 (12) CONTENTS (Continued.) Page Mildred (Washington) Lee, his first wife 140 Eliza (Brent) Lee, his second wife 140 Their Children 140 Ludwell Lee, (Richard Henry 4, Thomas 3, Rich ard 2, Richard 1) 141 Flora (Lee) Lee, his first wife 144 Their Children 144 Elizabeth (Armistead) Lee, his second wife .... 144 Their Children 145 Francis Lightfoot Lee, (Richard Henry 4, Thom as 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) 145 Elizabeth (Fitzgerald) Lee, his first wife 145 Jane (Fitzgerald) Lee, his second wife 145 Their Children 145 Major General Henry Lee, (Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) 146 Matilda (Lee) Lee, his first wife 166 Their Children 166 Ann Hill (Carter) Lee, his second wife 167 Their Children 168 Charles Lee, (Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Rich ard 1) 168 Ann (Lee) Lee, his first wife 170 Their Children 170 Margaret (widow of Mr. Peyton) Lee, his second wife ' 171 Their Children 171 Richard Bland Lee, (Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) 172 Elizabeth (Collins) Lee, his wife 173 Their Children 173 Theodoric Lee, (Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) 174 (18) CONTENTS (Continued.) Page Catherine (Hite) Lee, his wife 174 Their Children 174 Edmund Jennings Lee, (Henry 4, Henry 3, Rich ard 2, Richard 1) ¦. 176 Sarah (Lee) Lee, his wife 176 Their Children 176 Sixth Generation. Samuel Phillips Lee, (Francis Lightfoot 5, Rich ard Henry 4, Thomas 3, Richard 2, Richard 1 179 Elizabeth (Blair) Lee, his wife 184 Their Children 184 John Fitzgerald Lee, (Francis Lightfoot 5, Rich ard Henry 4, Thomas 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) 185 Eleanor Ann (Hill) Lee, his wife 188 Their Children 188 George Lee, (George 5, Thomas Ijudwell 4, Thomas 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) 190 Sarah Moore (Henderson) Lee, his wife 190 Their Children 190 Henry Lee, (Henry 5, Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) , 191 Anne R. (McCarty) Lee, his wife 192 Their Children 192 Charles Carter Lee, (Henry 5, Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) 193 Lucy Penn (Taylor) Lee, his wife 194 Their Children 194 Sydney Smith Lee, (Henry 5, Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) 197 (14) CONTENTS (Continued.) Page Anna Maria (Mason) Lee, his wife 199 Their Children 200 General Robert Edward Lee, (Henry 5, Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) 204 Mary Ann Randolph (Custis) Lee, his wife . . . 272 Their Children 277 Richard Bland Lee, (Richard Bland 5, Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) 278 Julia Ann Marion (Prosser) Lee, his wife .... 281 Their Children 281 Zaccheus Collins Lee, (Richard Bland 5, Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) 283 Martha Anne (Jenkins) Lee, his wife 283 Their Children 283 Edmund Jennings Lee, (Edmund Jennings 5, Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) . . 284 Eliza (Shepherd) Lee, his first wife 285 Their Children 285 Henrietta (Bedinger) Lee, his second wife . . 287 Their Children 287 Cassius Francis Lee, (Edmund Jennings 5, Hen ry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) 288 Hanna Phillippa Ludwell (Hopkins) Lee, his first wife 290 Their Children 290 Anne Eliza (Gardner) Lee, his second wife . . . 291 Their Children 291 Richard Henry Lee, (Ludwell 5, Richard Henry 4, Thomas 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) 292 Mary Duncan (Mahone) Lee, his first wife .... 293 Their Children 293 Anne Edna (Jordan) Lee, his second wife .... 293 Their Children 293 (15) CONTENTS (Continued.) Seventh Generation. Page Blair Lee, (Samuel Phillips 6, Francis Light foot 5, Richard Henry 4, Thomas 3, Rich ard 2, Richard 1) 295 Anne (Brooks) Lee, his wife 297 Their Children 297 General Fitzhugh Lee, (Sydney Smith 6, Henry 5, Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) 298 Ellen Bernard (Fowle) Lee, his wife 309 Their Children 309 George Washington Custis Lee, (Robert Edward 6, Henry 5, Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) 311 Wm. Henry Fitzhugh Lee, (Robert Edward 6, Henry 5, Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Rich ard 1) 315 Charlotte (Wickham) Lee, his first wife 327 Their Children 327 Mary Tabb (Boiling) Lee, his second wife .... 328 Their Children 328 Robert Edward Lee, (Robert Edward 6, Henry 5, Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) . . 328 Charlotte (Haxall) Lee, his first wife 330 Juliet (Carter) Lee, his second wife 330 Their Children 330 Edwin Gray Lee, (Edmund Jennings 6, Edmund Jennings 5, Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) 331 Susan (Pendleton) Lee, his wife 332 Edmund Jennings Lee, (Edmund Jennings 6, Edmund Jennings 5, Henry 4, Henry 3, Rich ard 2, Richard 1) 332 Rebecca (Rust) Lee, his first wife 332 Their Children 332 Bessie Read (Neilson) Lee, his second wife. . . 332 (16) PREFACE. ON September 10, 1907, I presented a resolution before the Virginia State Camp, Patriotic Or der Sons of America, then in Session in the City of Richmond, Va., which was unanimously adopted. It was in part as follows : PREAMBLE. "Recognizing the importance of preserving for the benefit of posterity those historic and patriotic land marks which are bound to leave a wholesome and everlasting influence on our future generations, and as there is situated in the county of Westmoreland, State of Virginia an old homestead, known as "Strat ford," the ancestral home of the "Lees," the birth place 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 dis seminating sentiments of patriotism and creating a feeling of 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 (17) 18 PREFACE so largely to the blessings and privileges which we now enjoy; therefore be it Resolved, That this State Camp authorize the Ex ecutive Committee to appoint a committee to be known as the "Lee Birthplace Memorial Committee," consisting of as many members, and under such con ditions 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, and remain forever the property of the people, to refur nish 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 coun try and all organizations interested, to subscribe any amount up to $100 (small subscriptions being pre ferred, in order that more may have the opportunity to contribute). The name of every contributor (whether person or organization) shall be perman ently and publicly preserved. All giving $100 to constitute the Roll of Honor, the name to be record ed 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 organiza tions to whom the country is indebted for the pres ervation of this historic spot." PREFACE 19 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 be came 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 suffici ent time or to secure the many books necessary for a thorough knowledge of the lives of this great fam ily, 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 thorough ly acquainted with the principal acts in the lives of over fifty Lees whose history is connected either directly or indirectly with "Stratford Hall," the An cestral Home of the Lee family which we are try ing 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 Publica tions : 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 Indepen dence, By John Sanderson, 9 vols. Letters of Wm. Lee. Howe's History of Va. 20 PREFACE 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 Eng land 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 men tioned, 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. 1— Phillip Ludwell Lee 4, Feb. 24-1727 2— Hannah Lee 4 Feb. 6-1728 3 — John Lee 4 Mar. 28-1729 4 — Lucy Lee 4, 1730 5 — Thomas Ludwell Lee 4, Dec. 13-1730 6 — Richard Henry Lee 4, Jan 20-1732 7— Francis Lightfoot Lee 4, Oct. 14-1734 8— Alice Lee 4, June 4-1736 9— William Lee 4, Aug. 31-1739 10— Arthur Lee 4, Dec. 21-1740 11 — Matilda Lee 5 12 — Flora Lee 5, 13— Phillip Lee 5, Feb. 24-1775 14 — Nathaniel Greene Lee 6, 1784 15— Phillip Ludwell Lee 6, 1785 16 — Lucy Grymes Lee 6, 1786 17— Henry Lee 6, May 28-1787 18 — Algernon Sydney Lee 6, April 2-1795 19— Charles Carter Lee 6, Nov. 9-1798 20— Anne Kinloch Lee 6, June 19-1800 21— Robert Edward Lee 6, January 19-1807 22--Margaret Lee 7, The Lees Who Have Lived at Stratford, But Not Born There. Thomas Lee 3, born at Mount Pleasant Va 1690 Richard Lee 4, Born at Mt. Pleasant, Va. June 17, 1723. Henry Lee 5, Bom at Leesylvania, Va., Jan. 29, 1756. Sydney Smith Lee 6, Born at Camden, N. J., Septem ber 2, 1802. (21) 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 genera tions. 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 Rog er, 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 hun dred 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. (23) 24 STRATFORD AND THE LEES 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 fam ily. The office of Sheriff of Shropshire, has been fill-- ed 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 — Humphrey 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 ab solutely proven, but the best evidence obtainable, would suggest, that he was a brother of Thomas Lee, of Coton, who registered at the Herald's Col lege 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. (25) FIRST GENERATION. Colonel Richard Lee. THE earliest record of the founder of the Lee family, in Virginia, is a letter written by Wil liam Lee in 1771, in which he said, among other things, "Richard Lee, of a good family in Shropshire, — some time in the Reign of King Charles, the First, went over to the Colony of Virginia, as Secretary and one of the King's Privy Council, — He was a man of good stature, comely visage, and enterprising genius, a sound head, vigorous spirit and generous nature. (27) 28 STRATFORD AND THE LEES When he got to Virginia, which was at that time not much cultivated, he was so pleased with the country, that he made large settlements there with the servants that he carried over. After some years, he returned to England and gave away all the lands he had taken up, and settled at his own ex pense, to those servants he had fixed on them, some of whose descendents are now possessed of very considerable property in the Colony. After staying some time in England, he returned again to Virginia with a fresh band of adventurers all of whom he settled there." An old tradition has stated that Richard Lee came to Virginia with a brother, that they settled in York County, that the brother became dissatisfied and de sired to return home, that both of them gave up the lands they had settled and returned to England. A part of this tradition seems to be confirmed, by a court record, which states, that a patent was grant ed to Robert Lee for 540 acres in Gloucester County, "Beginning at a red oak by Mr. Thornton's path, and to a white oak by Col. Lee's horse path and to a branch by the said Robert Lee's plantation; 200 acres thereof formerly granted to Col. Richard Lee on the 17th day of May, 1655 and by him assigned to the said Robert Lee on the 5th day of February, 1657, and the remaining 340 acres for the transpor tation of seven persons, etc." Richard Lee first settled in York County and un der date of August 10th, 1642, received a grant of 1000 acres. This was due, the patent states, "Unto the said Richard Lee by and for his own personal adventure by his wife Ann, and John Francis, and FIRST GENERATION 29 by assignment from Mr. Thomas Hill, Florintine, Paine and William Freeman, of their right of land due for the transportation of seventeen persons." This was his first home in Virginia and he called his plantation "Paradise." Gloucester County was taken from York County in 1652 and this plantation was situated in that part which became Gloucester County, as the following record proves. On July 22d, 1674, a patent was is sued to "Major Richard Lee for 1140 acres in Gloucester called "Paradise" on a branch of Poropo- tank Creek; 1000 thereof being due to the said Rich ard Lee by two former patents, the residue now found to be within the bounds." Here he had a store and a warehouse. In 1646 Richard Lee sat on the York County Bench as Magistrate and represented York County as Bur gess in 1647. Richard Lee seems to have been engaged in com merce as well as agriculture as he had an interest in vessels trading between England and Virginia and made many voyages to and fro, being in England in 1654, 1655, 1659, 1661 and 1663. In 1651 he represented Northumberland County as Burgess so he probably settled there about that time This home was located on Dividing Creeks. The main creek is about a mile long then divides into branches which makes several "necks;" on two of these he located his plantation. The first of these granted was for 800 acres, in 1651, the second for 600 acres in 1656. Tradition states that Richard Lee was the first white man to settle in the Northern Neck. 30 STRATFORD AND THE LEES The various tracts of land taken up by Richard Lee helps to trace his movements after settling in Virginia and furnish, to some extent, a record of his official positions. A grant of 1000 acres on Poropotank Creek, Aug. 10th, 1642, for his own personal adventure, his wife Ann, etc. Dec. 2d, 1644, ninety-one acres on New Poquoson Creek for the transportation of two per sons into the Colony. 1250 acres on the York or Pamunky for assignment from William Freeman of his right and title to the transportation of twenty- five persons into the Colony, Dec. 21st, 1648. October 18th, 1650, one thousand acres of "land situated upon the south side of the Potomack River beginning at the mouth of a small creek issuing out of a Matchoteck River," etc. for the transportation of twenty persons, etc. This seems to be his first grant in what is nov/ Westmoreland County. On May 24th, 1651, he was granted 800 acres in Northumberland County for the transportation of sixteen persons into the Colony. On May 24th, 1651, five hundred and fifty acres on the north side of York River. This patent shows that at this date Richard Lee was Secretary for the Colony. On March 20th, 1653, three hundred acres north of the York River for the transportation of six per sons into the Colony. Nov. 14th, 1653, three hundred acres in Lancaster County on the south side of the Rappahannock River (now Middlesex County) for the transportation of six persons, etc. FIRST GENERATION 31 May 17th, 1655, two hundred acres in Gloucester for the transportation of four persons, etc. March 4th, 1656, six hundred acres in Northum berland County for the transportation of twelve per sons, etc. This was the second grant on Dividing Creeks. June 2d, 1656, eight hundred and fifty acres on Peanketank Swamp to William and Hancock Lee, sons of Col. Richard Lee, etc. June 4th, 1656, five acres on Poropotank Creek "Whereon the store of the said Col. Lee standeth," for the transportation of one person, etc., forty-five acres being still due. June 5th, 1658, two thousand acres upon the south side of the Potomack River for the transportation of forty persons, etc. March 26th, 1663, four thousand acres of land in Westmoreland County, etc. In this patent he is mentioned as Councillor of State, showing that he held this office on that date. Dec. 1st, 1664, two thousand acres on the south side of the Potomack River for the transportation of twelve persons, etc. Richard Lee was a most ardent royalist and sup porter of the Stuarts, and when Charles II. was an exile, he made a voyage to Holland to visit him. John Gibbon, who visited Richard Lee in 1659, wrote that Col. Lee had a fair estate in Virginia and that the product of his tobacco amounted to 2,000 pounds sterling ($10,000) per annum. In 1663, while in England with his wife and chil dren, Richard Lee made his will: He returned to Virginia in 1663, and while the exact date of his 32 STRATFORD AND THE LEES death is not known, it was probably early in 1664, as he died prior to April 20th, 1664, as on that date his son (John Lee) made application for 4,700 acres of land due his father. Col. Richard Lee, for the trans portation of ninety-four persons into the Colony. His will was probated in London, January 10th, 1665. Richard Lee died at his home on Dividing Creeks, known as Cobb's Hall, in Northumberland County, where he was buried, and while no evidence exists at this time, it was so stated in 1798 by Portia, daugh ter of William Lee. FIRST GENERATION 33 Anne Lee Anne, wife of Col. Richard Lee, founder of the family in Virginia in 1641. There is no record of the surname of Ann, wife of Richard Lee, and nothing is known of her history or that of her family. After Richard Lee's death she married a Mr. Edmund Lister in 1666. The ac cepted relative ages of the children of Richard and Ann Lee are as follows : I — John (2) see page 35. II — Richard (2) see page 36. Ill — Francis (2) born about 1648, died in England in 1714. He was a Justice for Northumberland 34 STRATFORD AND THE LEES County in 1673, but it is thought that some years after this he went to England and established him self in mercantile life. The register of St. Dionis Back church has the following entries : "Abigail, daughter of Mr. Francis and Tamar Lee, merchant, born and baptised 9 July, 1694. John, son of Francis Lee, merchant, buried in ye great Vault, 9 June, 1695. Mrs. Tamar Lee, wife of Mr. Francis Lee, merchant, buried in ye great vault, 1 May, 1694-5. Tamar, daughter of Mr. Francis Lee, mer chant, buried in ye great vault, 18 Jan., 1699-1700. Mr. Francis Lee, merchant buried in ye great vault in the chancel, 19 Nov., 1714. IV— William, (2) born about 1651, died in 1696, left no male issue. V — Hancock, (2) see page 42. VI — Elizabeth, (2) no data whatever. VII — Anne, (2) no data as to date of birth or date of death. All that is known is that she married Thomas Youell of "Nominy in ye County of Westmoreland," and probably left issue. VIII — Charles, (2) see page 44. SECOND GENERATION John Lee. JOHN (2), heir at law, eldest son of Richard 1, was born about 1645, in what is now Gloucester County, Va. He was educated at Oxford and enter ed Queen's College, July 2nd, 1658, and graduated an A. B., April 30th, 1662 ; he then studied medicine and probably returned to Virginia with his father in 1664, as we have a record of his being in Northum berland County April 20th of that year. He was seated in Westmoreland County in September, 1666, and a year later was a member of the "committee of the association of Westmoreland, Northumberland and Stafford Counties." This committee was ap pointed for the defence of the Northern Neck against the Indians. March 28th, 1672, Sir William Berkley appointed him Sheriff of Westmoreland County and the next day commissioned him a Justice of the Peace. He was Burgess from Westmoreland County in 1673, and the same year we find him appointed on a com mission with Col. John Washington and others to "arrange the boundry line between Lancaster and Northumberland Counties." He died in the fall of 1673, and is probably buried at Mount Pleasant. He left no issue. (35) 36 STRATFORD AND THE LEES Richard Lee. Richard (2), the second son of Richard 1, was the eldest son to leave male issue in Virginia. He was born in 1647 at "Paradise" in Gloucester County and died March 12, 1714, at "Mount Pleasant" in Westmoreland County. On the death of John in 1673, Richard became heir at law to his father, and it may be of interest to estimate the land owned by the emigrant and in herited through John by Richard. A comparison of several wills and other records shows it to have been about 20,000 acres, divided among the old estates as follows : Mount Pleasant SECOND GENERATION 37 2,600 acres, Lee Hall 2,600 acres, Ditchly 904 acres, Cobbs Hall 600 acres, Stratford 6,500 acres. In the case of Stratford, Thomas Lee probably added to the original acreage. Phillip Lee received about 3,000 acres in Maryland, and 4,000 acres were bequeathed to Richard's daughter, Ann Fitzhugh. The rest of Richard's estate was left to be divided between his four sons. Richard Lee was educated at Oxford and was of fered a high place in the church if his father would let him stay in England. The offer was refused as the old gentleman was determined to establish all his children in Virginia. He spent most of his life in study, and usually wrote his notes in Greek, Hebrew or Latin. He was a member of the Council of Virginia and held many other offices of honor and profit. He was in the Council in 1676, 1680-83-88-1692-98. He was Burgess in 1677. In 1680 he was Colonel of the Horse in Westmoreland, Northumberland, and Stafford Counties. In 1699 he was Naval Officer and receiver of Vir ginia dutys for the River Potomac, which included the Counties of Westmoreland, Northumberland and Stafford. In "Bacon's Rebellion" Richard Lee was captured, and in a report to the English Government dated March 15th, 1677-8, we find the following: "Major Richard Lee, a loyal discreet person worthy of the place to which he was lately advanced of being one of his Majesties Council in Virginia, as to his losses we are credibly informed they were very great and that he was imprisoned by Bacon above seven weeks 38 STRATFORD AND THE LEES together, at least 100 miles from his own home whereby he received great prejudice in his health by hard usage and very greatly in his whole Estate by his absence." In a letter to the justices of Westmoreland Court, recorded August 15th, 1677, he mentions his im prisonment and laments his poor health. "And about this time twelve months, some three or four days before I was taken prisoner," and adds that he had not been "so well in health as I could wish." Governor Spotswood described Richard Lee as "a gentleman of as fair a character as any in the coun try for his exact justice, honesty and unexceptional loyalty. In all the stations wherein he has served in this government, he has behaved himself with great integrity and sufficiency and when his advanc ed age would no longer permit him to execute to his own satisfaction the duty of Naval Officer of the same district, I thought I could not better reward his merit than by bestowing that employment on his son." (Spotswood, 178.) Richard Lee married in 1674, Laetitia, the el dest daughter of Henry Corbin and Alice Eltonhead, his wife. Laetitia was born in 1657, and died on October 6th, 1706. Their tombstone is still to be seen at "Mt. Pleasant;" it is a very large slab of white marble. The inscription has been almost effac ed, which is not to be wondered at, as it has been exposed to the weather for over two hundred years. It rested on a low brick foundation which has par tially fallen. The wall, which once surrounded this graveyard, can now be traced by removing a little SECOND GENERATION 39 earth. It enclosed a lot of about 20x25 feet, and was located some three hundred yards in the rear of the first mansion. Some bricks scattered about indicate where the old house stood. Bishop Meade visited this spot some years ago and wrote of it : "From a tomb stone in the Burnt House Fields at Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County, where are yet to be seen the foundations of large buildings, is the following : "Hie conditur corpus Richardi Lee, Armigeri, nati in Virginia, filii Richardi Lee, generosi, et antiqua familia, in Merton-Regis, in comitatu Salopiensi, ori- undi. "In magistratum obeundo boni publici studiosis- simi, in Uteris Graecis et Latinis et aliis humanioris literaturae disciplinis versatissimi. "Deo, quem, summa observantia semper coluit, animam tranquillus reddidit XII. mo. die Martii, an no MDCCXIV, aetat LXVIII. "Hie, juxta, situm est corpus Laetitiae ejusdem uxoris fidae, filiae Henrici Corbyn, generosi, libero- rum matris amantissimae, pietate erga Deum, charit- ate erga egenos, benignitate erga omnes insignis. Obiit Octob. die vi, MDCCVI, aetatis XLIX. Translated, it reads ; "Here lieth the body of Richard Lee, Esq., born in Virginia, son of Richard Lee, Gentleman, descended of an ancient family of Merton-Regis, in Shropshire. While he exercised the office of magistrate he was a zealous promotor of the public good. "He was very skillful in the Greek and Latin Ian- 40 STRATFORD AND THE LEES guages and other parts of polite learning. He quiet ly resigned his soul to God, whom he always devout ly worshipped, on the 12th day of March, in the year 1714, in the 68th year of his age. "Near by is interred the body of Laetitia, his faithful wife, daughter of Henry Corbyn, Gentle man. A most affectionate mother, she was always distinguished by piety toward God, charity to the poor, and kindness to all. She died on the sixth day of October, 1706, in the 49th year of her age." Richard Lee's will, dated March 3rd, 1714; was probated in Westmoreland County, April 27th, 1715. SECOND GENERATION 41 Laetitia Corbin Lee. Wife of Richard Lee. Richard and Laetitia Lee had seven children. They were: I-^ohn 3. Baptized 3d day of Xber, 1678, died in infancy. II — Richard 3. See page 45. Ill— Philip 3. See page 46. IV — Francis 3. Nothing is known of his life, but he died without issue on his estate "Paradise," about 1749. 42 STRATFORD AND THE LEES V — Thomas 3. See page 47. VI^Henry 3. See page 67. VII— Anne 3. Born about 1693 and died in 1732. Married first Col. William Fitzhugh of "Eagle's Nest," King George County, and by him had one son and two daughters. She was the great great grand mother of Rev. Wm. Meade, Episcopal Bishop in Vir ginia. After the death of her husband in 1713-14, she married Captain Daniel McCarty of "the Parish of Cople in the county of Westmoreland." Hancock Lee. Founder of the Ditchley Branch. Hancock Lee (2),. fifth son of Richard 1, was born at Dividing Creek, Northumberland County, in 1653, and was the founder of the Ditchley Branch. He married first in 1675, Mary, daughter of William Kendall of Northampton County, and settled there about the time of his marriage. He was a Justice of that County in 1677. About 1686 he returned to Northumberland County, and was a Justice there in 1687-1699, and Burgess from Northumberland in 1688. June 3, 1699, he was appointed "Naval Officer and Collector of Virginia Dutys in Northumberland County." The Northern Neck land records show that Han cock patented land as follows: 1,100 acres in Rich mond county, April 18th, 1704; 570 acres on both sides of Rappahannock Horsepen Run and adjoining his own land, May 21st, 1705; 1,353 acres in Rich- SECOND GENERATION 43 mond county, June 6th, 1704 ; 460 acres on the north side of the Occoquan in Stafford county November 2nd, 1707; 1,750 acres at the heads of the branches of Chapowamsic in Stafford, adjoining the land of Capt. Thomas Harrison, February 10th, 1707. Han cock Lee, son of Hancock Lee, deceased, patented 1,025 acres on Wolf Run in Stafford, for which Han cock Lee, the elder, had obtained a warrant, 1708, and by a codicil to his will, December 31st, 1706, gave to his son the said Hancock, March 6th, 1709-10. In 1678, Hancock Lee, gent., obtained a patent for 268 acres in Accomac county. His second wife was Sarah, daughter of Col. Al lerton, of Westmoreland, and granddaughter of Isaac Alerton who came over in the "Mayfiower." Hancock Lee died May 25, 1709, and was "buried at Ditchley. Hancock and Mary (Kendall) Lee (his first wife) had three children. I — ^William (3), born prior to 1682, and died prior to 1706, without issue. II — Anna (3), bom prior to Jan. 5, 1682, and was living as late as October, 1754. She was twice mar ried, first, to William Armistead and second, to Will iam Eustace, and had issue by both. Ill — Richard (3), born at Ditchley, August 18, 1691 and died and was buried there in 1740. He was Justice for Northumberland County in 1714, and Clerk of the County from 1716 to 1735. He married Judith Steptoe, and left issue. Hancock and Sarah (Allerton) Lee (his second wife) had four children. 44 STRATFORD AND THE LEES IV — Isaac (3) , born in 1707, and died in England in 1727 without issue. V — John (3), born about 1709 and died August 11, 1789, in Orange county. Left no issue. VI— Hancock (3), born 1709, married in 1733, Mary, daughter of Col. Henry Willis, of Fredericks burg, and by her had seven children. VII — Elizabeth (3), born 1709, probably the twin of Hancock. She married Zachary Taylor, and had four children. Charles Lee. Founder of Cobb's Hall Branch. Charles (2), eighth child of Richard 1, born about 1656 at "Cobb's Hall" where he lived, died and was buried. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Thos. Medstand, of Lancaster County about 1676. Charles was Justice of Northumberland County in 1687-1699. He had two sons and two daughters. I — Thomas (3), born. about 1679 — died 1735, was Justice for Lancaster County in 1712, and Sheriff in 1714. He married and left issue. II — Charles, born died in 1740-1, married Eliz abeth Pinkard, and had six children. Ill — Leeanna, probably married William Jones in 1707, and had issue. IV — Elizabeth, of her history nothing is known. THIRD GENERATION Richard Lee. RICHARD (3), second son of Richard 2, (Richard 1,) born about 1678-9. About 1710 he went to London and settled there as a Virginia merchant in partnership with his mother's brother, Thomas Cor bin. He heired his father's estate, for, on November 5th, 1716, "Richard Lee, of London, son of Richard Lee, of Cople Parish in Virginia," leased to Reubin Welch, Thomas Lee and Henry Lee the 2,600 acres whereupon his father had lived (Mount Pleasant), "yielding and paying therefore the yearly rent of one pepper corn only on the feast day of the birth of our Lord God." He married in England an heiress by the name of Martha Silk, and had by her one son and two daugh ters, all of whom went to Virginia and settled. I — George (4) , see page 69. II — Lettice (4), bom in London about 1715. She married about 1737, Col. John Corbin, of Essex coun ty, Virginia, and died Jan. 15, 1768. Ill — Martha, born in London about 1716, and mar ried first, Major George Turberville, of Hickory Hill, Westmoreland county. After his death in 1742, she married Captain William Fitzhugh, of Maryland. (45) 46 STRATFORD AND THE LEES Philip Lee. Philip (3), third son of Richard 2, (Richard 1), born in Westmoreland about 1681, and moved to Maryland in 1700, was a member of the Council then a Justice of the Peace. He lived at "Blenheim," Prince George County, Md., and died in April, 1744. He married Sarah, daughter of Hon. Thomas Brooks. They had probably eight children: 1— Richard (4) 5— Arthur (4) 2 — Francis (4) 6 — Anne (4) 3— Philip (4) 7— Sarah (4) 4— Thomas (4) 8— Eleanor (4) After her death, in 1724, he married Elizabeth, the widow of Henry Sewell, and had nine children : 9— Hannah (4) 13— Hancock (4) 10— Lettice (4) 14— John (4) 11— Elizabeth (4) 15— Corbin (4) 12— Alice (4) 16— George (4) 17— Margaret (4) THIRD GENERATION 47 Col. Thomas Lee. Thomas (3), the fifth son of Richard 2, (Richard 1) was born at "Mount Pleasant," Westmoreland County, in 1690, died at Stratford in the same coun ty, November 14, 1750. With but a "common Vir ginia education, yet having strong natural parts, long after he was a man he learned the languages without any assistance but his own genius, and be came a tolerable adept in Greek and Latin This Thomas, by his Industry and Parts, acquired a con siderable fortune, for, being a younger, with many children, his paternal estate was very small. He 48 STRATFORD AND THE LEES was also appointed of the Council, and though he had very few acquaintances in England, he was so well known by reputation that upon his receiving a loss by fire, the late Queen Caroline sent him over a bountiful present out of her own Privy Purse. Upon the late Sir William Gooch being recalled, who had been Governor of Virginia, Thomas Lee became President and Commander-in-Chief over the Colony, in which station he continued for some time, till the King thought proper to appoint him Governor of the Colony, but he died in 1750, before his commission got over to him." The fire above referred to did not take place at Stratford, as many suppose, as no record has ever been found of any fire there; but in an old manu script we find that the eldest son of the immigrant (which was John,) moved to "Westmoreland and established himself at Mount Pleasant, on the River Potomack. The large brick house, largely enclosed by a brick wall, was burned down, and another was built on the surrounding heights of the Potomac." This fire must have occurred between 1716 and 1730. Thomas Lee obtained a lease of "Mount Pleas ant" in 1716, and lived there until he built the Strat ford mansion, and we find frequent mention of the burnt house field, evidently showing that the fire had been so serious that the field had been named as a record of the disaster. Thomas Lee was, for years, a Burgess from West moreland County, a member of the Council and, lat er, its President, and from September 5th, 1749 un til his death, Acting Governor of the Colony. In THIRD GENERATION 49 May, 1744, he was appointed one of a commission to treat with the Iroquois Indians for the settlement of lands west of the Allegheny Mountains. The conferences with the Indians were begun at Lancaster, Pa., June 22d, 1744. A record of the meeting states that wine and punch, as well as the customary pipe,' were handed around. After the Indians had partaken, the conference was opened by a speech from the Governor of Pennsylvania. During these conferences, one of the Indian chiefs (showing they were not behind their pale face broth er in liking "the fire water") said: "You tell us you beat the French, if so, you must have taken a great deal of Rum from them, and can better spare us some of that liquor to make us rejoice with you in the Victory." "The Governor and Commissioners ordered a Dram of Rum to be given to each in a SMALL Glass, calling it A FRENCH GLASS." The next day the Indians demanded more of the rum, this time in LARGE ENGLISH GLASSES. "The Indians gave, in their Order, five Yo-bahs; and the honorable Governor and Commissioners calling for some .Rum and some middle size Wine Glasses, drank health to the Great King of England and the Six Nations and put an end to the Treaty by three loud Huzzas, in which all the Company joined." Mr. Whitham Marshe, Secretary for the Maryland Commissioners, wrote an account of these confer ences (at Lancaster on the 28th of June, 1744,) stat ing : "The Commissioners of Virginia had a private treaty with the Chiefs, in the Court house, and Col. Lee made them a speech." An account of the pro ceedings and the treaty were printed by Benjamin 50 STRATFORD AND THE LEES Franklin, Philadelphia, 1744; from which rare work the following copy of Thomas Lee's address has been taken : The Commissioners of Virginia desired the Inter preter to let the Indians know that their Brother Assaragoa was now going to give his reply to their answer to his first speech, delivered the day before in the forenoon. "Sachims and Warriors of the Six United Nations, "We are now come to answer what you said to us yesterday, since what we said to you before on the Part of the Great King, our Father, has not been satisfactory. You have gone into old Times, and so must we. It is true that the Great King holds Vir ginia by Right of Conquest, and the Bounds of the Conquest to the Westward is the Great Sea. "If the Six Nations have made any Conquests over Indians that may at any time have lived on the West- side of the Great Mountains of Virginia, yet they never possessed any Lands that we ever heard of. That Part was altogether deserted, and free for any People to enter upon, as the People of Virginia have done, by Order of the Great King, very justly, as well as by ancient Right, and by its being freed from the Possession of any other, and from any Claim of even you the Six Nations, our Brethren, until within these eight years. The first Treaty between the Great King, in behalf of his Subjects in Virginia, and you, that we can find, was made at Albany by Col. Henry Coursey, seventy years since; this was a Treaty of Friendship when the first Covenant Chain was made, when we and you became Brethren. THIRD GENERATION 51 "The next Treaty was also made at Albany, about fifty-eight years ago, by the Lord Howard, Governor of Virginia; then you declared yourselves Subjects to the Great King, our Father, and gave up to him all your Lands for his protection. This you own in a Treaty made by the Governor of New York with you at the same place, in the year 1687, and you ex press yourselves in these Words : " 'Brethren, you tell us the King of England is a very great King and why should not you join with us in a very just Cause, when the French join with our enemies in an unjust Cause? 0, Brethren, we see the Reason of this; for the French would fain kill us all and when that is done, they would carry all the Beaver Trade to Canada, and the Great King of England would lose the Land likewise; and there fore, 0 Great Sachim, beyond the Great Lakes, awake, and suffer not those poor Indians, that have given themselves and their lands under your Protec tion, to be destroyed by the French without a Cause.' "The last Treaty we shall speak to you about is that made at Albany by Governor Spotswood, which you have not recited as it is ; For the white People, your Brethren of Virginia, are in no Article of that Treaty prohibited to pass and settle to the Westward of the Great Mountains. It is the Indians tributary to Virginia, that are restrained, as you and your tributary Indians are from passing to the Eastward of the same Mountains, or to the Southward of the Cohongorooton, and you agree to this Article in these Words: 'That the Great River of Potowmack and the high Ridge of Mountains, which extend all along the Frontiers of Virginia to the Westward of 52 STRATFORD AND THE LEES the present Settlements of that Colony, shall be for ever the established Boundaries between the Indians subject to the Dominion of Virginia, and the Indians belonging and depending on the Five Nations; so that neither our Indians shall not, on any Pretence whatsoever, pass to the Northward or Westward of the said Boundaries, without having to produce a Passport under the Hand and Seal of the Governor or Commander-in-Chief of Virginia ; nor you Indians to pass to the Southward or Eastward of said Boun daries, without a Passport in like manner from the Governor or Commander-in-chief of New York.' "And what Right can you have to Lands that you have no Right to walk upon, but upon certain Condi tions? It is true, you have not observed this part of the Treaty, and your Brethren of Virginia have not insisted upon it with a due strictness, which has occasioned some mischief. "This Treaty has been sent to the Governor of Virginia by Order of the Great King, and is what we must rely upon, and being in writing is more cer tain than your memory. That is the way the white people have of preserving transactions of every kind, and transmitting them down to their children's chil dren for ever, and all disputes among them are set tled by this faithful kind of evidence, and must be the rule between the Great King and you. This Treaty you Sachims and Warriors signed some years after the same Governor Spotswood, in the Right of the Great King, had been with some people of Vir ginia, in possession of these very lands, which you have set up your late claim to "Brethren, this dispute is not between Virginia THIRD GENERATION 53 and you; it is setting up your right against the Great King, under whose grants the people you com- .plain of, are settled. Nothing but a command from the Great King can remove them ; they are too pow erful to be removed by any force of you, our Breth ren ; and the Great King, as our common father, will do equal justice to all his children; wherefore we do believe they will be confirmed in their possessions. "As to the Road you mention, we intend to prevent any occasion for it, by making peace between you and the Southern Indians, a few years since, at a considerable expense to the Great King, which you confirmed at Albany. It seems by your being at war with the Catawbas that it has not been long kept by you. However, if you desire a road, we will agree upon the terms of the Treaty made with Col. Spots- wood, and your people, behaving themselves order ly like friends and brethren, shall be used in their passage through Virginia with the same kindness as they are when they pass through the lands of your Brother Onas. This, we hope, will be agreed to by you, our brethren, and we will abide by the promise made to you yesterday. "We may proceed to settle what we are to give you for any right you may have, or have had, to all the lands to the Southward and Westward of the lands of your brother, the Governor of Maryland, and your Brother Onas; Tho' we are informed that the Southern Indians claim these very lands that you do. We are desirous to live with you, our breth ren, according to the old chain of friendship, to settle all these matters fairly and honestly; and, as a 54 STRATFORD AND THE LEES pledge of our sincerity, we give you this Belt of Wampum." (Which was received with the usual Ceremony.) As a result of this conference, a Treaty was made by which the Indians, in consideration of 400 pounds Stirling pa,id and a promise of further payments, granted the Virginians the right to settle the land west of the mountains to the Ohio River. The two following letters from Thomas Lee, then acting as Governor of the Colony, to Governor Hamilton, of Pennsylvania, are in relation to the settling of these lands : "STRATFORD, 22d November, 1749. "SIR, "I had the Pleasure to congratulate you on your Arrival to your Government by the Favour of my Friend Mr. Strettell ; I had great satisfaction when I heard of your being advanced to that Honorable Sta tion, because I had a very great Esteem for You ever since I had the Honour to know You. "Upon Sr. William Gooch's leaving this Colony the Government here has devolved upon me as eldest Councellor, and I hope the good Agreement that will subsist between us will be of service to both Govern ments. "I am sorry that so soon I am obliged to complain to You of the insiduous behaviour, as I am informed, of some of the Traders from your Province, tending to disturb the Peace of this Colony and to alienate the Affections of the Indians from Us. THIRD GENERATION 55 "His Majesty has been graciously pleased to grant to some Gentleman and Merchants of London and some of both sorts of this Colony, a large quantity of Land West of the Mountains, the design of this Grant and one Condition of it is to erect and Garri son a Fort to protect our trade (from the French) and that of the neighboring Colonies, and by fair open Trade to engage the Indians in Affection to his Majesty's Subjects to supply them with what they want so that they will be under no necessity to ap ply to the French, and to make a very strong Settle ment on the Frontiers of this Colony, all which his Majesty has approved and directed his Governor here to assist the said company in carrying their laudable design into Execution; but your Traders have prevailed with the Indians on the Ohio to be lieve that the Fort is to be a bridle for them, and that the Roads which the Company are to make is to let in the Catawbas upon them to destroy them, and the Indians naturally jealous are so possessed with the truth of these insinuations that they threaten our Agents if they survey or make those roads that they have given leave to make, and by this the carry ing the King's Grant into execution is at present im practicable. Yet these are the Lands purchased of the Six Nations by the Treaty of Lancaster. "I need not say any more to prevail with you to take the necessary means to put a stop to these mischievous practices of those Traders. We are in formed that there is Measures designed by the Court of France that will be mischievous to these Colonys which will in Prudence oblige us to unite and not 56 STRATFORD AND THE LEES divide the Interest of the King's Subjects on the Continent. I am with Esteem & Respect," etc. "Stratford, 20th December, 1749. Sir, Since the Letter I had the Pleasure to write You I have found it necessary to write to the Lords of the Treasury desiring their Lordships to obtain the King's Order for running the dividing Line betwixt this Colony and Yours, else many difficultys will arise upon the seating the Large Grants to the Westward of the Mountains. In the case of the Earl of Granville and Lord Fairfax this method was taken and Commis sioners appointed by his Majesty and those noble Lords. T thought it proper to acquaint you with this Step that there might be no Surprize and that a mat ter of Such Consequence may meet with as little De lay as the Nature of it will admit. I am with all pos sible Esteem," etc. The grant referred to was that of 500,000 acres situated in the present counties of Jefferson and Col umbiana in Ohio, and in Brooke county, West Vir ginia. This was probably the first effort of the Eng lish to settle any of the territory "Westward of the Mountains." It is said that Thomas Lee was the originator of the project; he was certainly the first president of the company. At his death, he was suc ceeded by Lawrence Washington. Though Thomas Lee may have been a person of some infiuence in his day, he is known rather for his many distinguished sons than for his own in dividual merit, for it has seldom fallen to the lot of THIRD GENERATION 57 any man to rear six sons who took an active and pa triotic part in the service of their country, at least four of whom were distinguished for their unselfish patriotism during the Revolutionary struggle. Of these sons Mr. Campbell has written : "As Westmoreland, their native county, is distin guished above all others in Virginia as the birthplace of genius, so perhaps no other Virginian could boast of so many distinguished sons as President Lee." President John Adams (who was not usually lav ish in his praise of any one) wrote in after years to Richard Bland Lee : QUINCY, 11 August, 1819. "I thank you for your oration on the red-letter day in our national calendar, which I have read with mingled emotions. An invisible spirit seemed to suggest to me, in my left ear, 'Nil admirari, nil con- temnere;' another spirit, at my right elbow, seemed to whisper in my ear, 'Digito vompesce labellum.' But I will open my lips, and will say that your mod esty and delicacy have restrained you from doing justice to your own name, that band of brothers, in trepid and unchangeable, who, like the Greeks at Thermopylae, stood in the gap, in the defence of their country, from the first glimmering of the Rev olution in the horizon, through all its rising light, to its perfect day. "Thomas (Ludwell) Lee, on whose praises Chan cellor Wythe delighted to dwell, who has often said to me that Thomas Lee was the most popular man in Virginia, and the delight of the eyes of every Vir ginian, but' who would not engage in public life; Richard Henry Lee, whose merits are better known 58 STRATFORD AND THE LEES and acknowledged, and need no illustration from me ; Francis Lightfoot Lee, a man of great reading well understood, of sound judgment, and inflexible per severance in the cause of his country; William Lee, who abandoned an advantageous establishment in England from attachment to his country, and was able and faithful in her service; Arthur Lee, a man of whom I can not think without emotion ; a man too early in the service of his country to avoid making a multiplicity of enemies ; too honest, upright, faith ful, and intrepid to be popular ; too often obliged by his principles and feelings to oppose Machiavellian intrigues, to avoid the destiny he suffered. This man never had justice done him by his country in his lifetime, and I fear he never will have by posteri ty. His reward cannot be in this world." Life and Works of John Adams, Vol.X. 382. THIRD GENERATION 59 Stratford Hall. Where Thomas Lee lived during the first years of his married life is a matter of some doubt. It seems most probable that his first home was at "Mt. Pleas ant," and that the loss by fire, of which his son Wil liam wrote, was the destruction of that mansion. It is certain that the house at "Mt. Pleasant" was burn ed early in the last century, but there is no evidence of a fire ever having occurred at Stratford. If Queen Caroline gave Thomas Lee a "bountiful pres ent out of her own privy purse," while she was Queen, she must have given it between 1727 and 1737, as she became Queen in the former year and died in the latter. As Princess of Wales, she would 60 STRATFORD AND THE LEES hardly have possessed sufficient means to make a large present. It seems, therefore, highly probable that the Stratford house was erected about 1725-30, hardly later, as it is said that all of Thomas Lee's sons were born in that mansion. "An old mansion has been declared to be a history in itself; its rooms being the chapters; its stories, volumes ; its furniture, illustrations, and its inmates the characters. Such a mansion is certainly an il lustration of the customs, habits, and mode of life of the period in which it was built and inhabited. And this thought seems to be applicable to Stratford for many reasons. Since it was erected upon the his toric banks of the Potomac, American history has been made, and some prominent actors in its history were born under its roof. At the time of its build ing, the American Colonies were few in number, and weak in strength, hardly able to defend their homes from the marauding Indian. Spotswood and his daring followers had only recently crossed "the Great Mountains," and looked upon the beautiful valley of Virginia. The imagination of to-day can hardly realize that there was ever a time when such a trip could be considered a daring venture, and the suggestion of such an idea seems a joke. "Early in his administration," writes Howe, "Spotswood, at the head of a troop of horse, effected a passage over the Blue Ridge, which had previously been consider ed an impenetrable barrier to the ambition of the whites, and discovered the beautiful valley which lies beyond. In commemoration of this event, he re ceived from the king the honor of knighthood, and was presented with a minature golden horse-shoe, on which was inscribed the motto, SIC JURAT THIRD GENERATION 61 TRANSCENDERE MONTES— "Thus he swears to cross the mountains." Since that time a new nation has been born and grown to manhood ; from infantile dimensions, a narrow strip of inhabited land, hug ging the Atlantic as if afraid to loosen its hold on the mother country, its inhabitants have extended from ocean to ocean, from the great lakes to the gulf. The war of the Revolution, with its heroes and patriots, has come and gone. All these changes has Stratford witnessed, yet it remains to-day solid and strong, a monument of the past age in which it was erected, and had it no other claim to distinction, it might surely rank as one of America's historic mansions. But it possesses much greater claims than mere age ; as the birthplace of two signers of the Declaration of Independence, and of two others who represented their country at the courts of Europe, during the earlier years of that struggle, it is hallowed by mem ories which no other mansion in America can share. There, too, on the 19th of January, 1807, was born Robert E. Lee, an event well worthy of being the last act in the great drama, of which Stratford has been the stage." Lee of Va. 114-115. Bishop Meade wrote many years ago: "Some mournful thoughts will force themselves upon us when considering the ruins of churches, of mansions, and of cemeteries, in Westmoreland. By reason of the worth, talents, and patriotism which once adorn ed it, it was called the Athens of Virginia. But how few of the descendants of those who once were its ornaments are now to be found in it ! Chantilly, Mt. Pleasant, Wakefield are no more. Stratford alone remains. Where now are the venerable churches? 62 STRATFORD AND THE LEES Pope's Creek, Round Hill, Nomini, Leeds, where are they? Yecomico only survives the general wreck." Stratford house, with its solid walls and massive, rough-hewn timbers, seems rather to represent strength and solidity than elegance or comfort. Its large rooms, with numerous doors and windows, heated only, by the large open fireplaces, would to day scarcely be considered habitable. Nor would the modern housewife care to have her kitchen placed out in the yard some fifty or sixty feet from her dining room. The house was built in the shape of the letter H, the cross line being a large hall room of some twenty-five or thirty feet, serving as the con necting link between the two wings, these wings being about thirty feet wide and sixty deep. The house contains some eighteen large rooms, exclus ive of the hall. The view given here represents the rear, but the front is practically the same, the small stairway leads up to the rear door of the hall room. The room to the right, as one faces the picture, is the bed room in which tradition states that Richard Henry Lee and his brothers were born; also. Gen. Robert E. Lee. The hall room was, in those days, used as the library and general sitting room, especi ally in summer, being large, airy, well lighted and ventilated. The ceiling is very high, dome shaped, the walls are panelled in oak, with the book cases set in them; back and front are doors, leading into the garden, flanked on either side by windows, as shown in the illustration. On the other two sides of this hall, between the book cases, are two doors, opening into the wings, Outside, at the four cor ners of the house, are four out-houses, used as serv ants quarters, laundry, kitchen, and such like pur- THIRD GENERATION 63 poses. At the corner of the house, to the right of the picture given here, but too far off to be seen, was the kitchen, with its immense fireplace, which by actual measurement was found to be twelve feet wide, six high, and five deep, evidently capable of roasting a fair-sized ox. Lying on the grass, there is seen a large, old-fashioned shell or cannon ball, which tradition says was once fired at the house by an English warship. The portions of the stable yet remaining show it to have been very large; the kitchen garden was surrounded by the usual brick wall, much remaining at the present time. At the foot of the kitchen gar den are the remains of the large brick burial vault, of which Bishop Meade wrote : "I have been assur ed by Mrs. Eliza Turner, who was there at the time, that it was built by General Henry Lee. The ceme tery (vault) is much larger than any other in the Northern Neck, consisting of several apartments or alcoves for different branches of the family. In stead of an arch over them there is a brick house, perhaps twenty feet square, covered in. A floor cov ers the cemetery. In the centre is a trap door, through which you descend to the apartments be low." This brick house having fallen into ruin, a late proprietor of Stratford had it torn down and the bricks heaped up into a mound, which, covered with earth and surmounted by the tombstone of Thomas Lee, would serve as a fitting mark for the unknown dead reposing underneath." Thomas Lee's will was dated Feb. 22nd, 1749, and probated in Westmoreland July 30th, 1751. There has been some uncertainty as to the burial place of both Thomas Lee and his son, Richard 64 STRATFORD AND THE LEES Henry ; the former has always been thought to have been buried at Old Pope's Creek Church, and the latter at Chantilly, but an examination of their wills and other data proves most conclusively that both of them were buried in the "Old Burnt House Fields," at "Mt. Pleasant." It requires no proof to show that Richard Lee and Laetitia Corbin, his wife were buried at this place, as their tombstone is still to be seen there. Thomas Lee's wife died about a year before her husband, and of course had been du ly buried; in his will he desired to be "buried be tween my Late Dearest wife and my Honored Moth er, and that the bricks on the side next my wife may be moved and my coffin Placed as near hers as is possible, without moving or disturbing the. remains of my Mother." This request proves that his wife had been buried very near the grave of his mother. There' can be no doubt that Thomas Lee was buried, as he desired, beside his wife, for ONE SLAB cov ered the two graves, and has on it the following in scription, recently copied. The slab, now at Strat ford, is in perfect condition, and the inscription as legible as when first cut : Here lies Buried the Hon'ble Col. Thomas Lee, Who dyed 14 November, 1750; Aged 60 years; and his beloved wife, Mrs. Hannah Lee. She departed this life 25 January, 1749-50. Their monument is erected in the lower church of Washington Parish, in this County ; five miles above their Country Seat, Stratford Hall. As Old Pope's Creek church stood about five miles above Stratford, and was THE lower church of THIRD GENERATION 65 Washington parish, it was evidently the one alluded to in the above quoted inscription. The tombstone states that "their monument is erected in the lower church of Washington Parish in this County, five miles above their Country Seat, Stratford Hall." Fortunately, a copy of the inscrip tion once on this monument has been preserved, in the writing of Richard Henry Lee ; but, unfortunate ly, a part of the inscription is torn, so that the name of the "family burying place" is lost. This Monument is erected to the Memory of the Honourable Col. Thomas Lee, Commander-in-chief and President of His Majesties Council for this Col ony, descended from the very ancient and Honour able Family of Lees in Shropshire in England, who dyed November 14, 1750, aged 60 years ; and of the Hon'ble Mrs. Hannah Lee, his Wife, by Philip Lud well Lee, their eldest son, as a just and dutyfuU Trib ute to so excellent a Father and Mother, Patterns of Conjugal Virtue. They are buried eighteen miles from this in the family burying place, called the old in Cople Parish, in this County. (This slab cannot be found, but it is rumored that when the church was destroyed, some one unknown used it with the reverse side up for a hearth stone before an open fire place and may some day be dis covered.) — Ed. No one can well doubt that the "family burying place" was in the old Burnt House Fields, at "Mt. Pleasant." This was the "one acre where my Hon'd Father is Buryed" that Thomas Lee, in his will de sired "should not "be disposed of upon any pretense whatsoever." S6 STRATFORD AND THE LEES Hannah (Ludwell) Lee. Thomas and Hannah (Ludwell) Lee had the fol lowing issue : names and dates were copied from the family Bible of Richard Henry Lee, who stated that he had copied from that of his father at Stratford: THIRD GENERATION 67 I. Richard (4), born June 17, 1723, probably at Mt. Pleasant, died unmarried, before his father. II. Philip Ludwell (4), see page 70. III. Hannah (4), born at Stratford Feb. 6, 1728, married Gawin Corbin, and left a daughter, Martha. IV. John (4), born at Stratford March 28, 1729, and died the same day. V. Lucy (4), born at Stratford, September 26, 1730, and died unmarried. VI. Thomas Ludwell (4) , see page 73. VII. Richard Henry (4), see page 77. VIII. Francis Lightfoot, see page 102. IX. Alice (4), born at Stratford June 4, 1736, and died at Philadelphia, March 25, 1817, married in London, 1760, Dr. William Shippen, Jr. X. William (4), see page 106. XL Arthur (4), see page 113. Henry Lee. Henry (3), sixth son of Richard 2, (Richard 1), born about 1691, lived at "Lee Hall' on the Potomac. About 1724-25, he married Mary, daughter of Col. Richard Bland. On June 2, 1737, he was commis sioned lieutenant-colonel of the Westmoreland Coun ty Militia. He died at "Lee Hall" in 1747. It is not my purpose to include the collateral branches, but it is necessary in this case as this hranch leads directly back to Stratford Hall. Henry and Mary (Bland) Lee left four children: I. John (4), bom at "Lee Hall" about 1724, settled 68 STRATFORD AND THE LEES in Essex County and was clerk of the courts there as early as 1745, and held the office until 1761. He rep resented Essex County as Burgess in 1762-63-64-65. On December 20, 1749, he married Mrs. Mary (Smith) Ball. He returned to Westmoreland Coun ty and lived at "Cabin Point" on the Potomac River where he died in 1767. II. Richard (4), was born at "Lee Hall" about 1726. He was known as "Squire" Lee, and bore a prominent part in the affairs of his county. He was Burgess from Westmoreland in 1757-58-62-69-72-74, a member of the Convention of 1775-76; of the House of Delegates 1777-80-84-85-86-87-90-93. He was a justice of the peace, and Naval Officer for the "port of South Potomac." When about 60 years old he married his first cousin, Sally, daughter of Peter Poythress. He difed in 1795, at "Lee Hall" and was, buried there. They had two sons and three daugh ters. 1 — Richard 5 who died young and unmarried. 2— Mary 5, born Feb. 12, 1790, died 1848. In 1804, she married Thomas Jones, Esq., of Chesterfield County, and had issue. 3— Lettice 5 born 1792 and died 1827. In 1809 she married Dr. John Augustine Smith and had is sue. 4— Richardia 5 born 1795. In 1815 married Pres ley Cox and had issue. III. Henry (4), see page 132. IV. Letitia (4), born about 1730-1, married Col. William Ball, of Lancaster County, in 1746-7. She died in 1788, and left two sons and one daughter. FOURTH GENERATION. George Lee. GEORGE 4, first son of Richard 3, (Richard 2, Richard 1,) born in London August 18, 1714, and came to Virginia about 1736 and settled at "Mt. Pleasant" in Westmoreland County. On Sept. 30, 1738, he married Judith Wormley. She died June 8, 1751, leaving a daughter, Elizabeth. George Lee married again December 17, 1752, Mrs. Anne (Fairfax) Washington, widow of Lawrence Wash ington, of Mount Vernon. Lawrence Washington was half brother to George Washington, to whom he bequeathed Mount Vernon after his widow's death. She died March 14, 1761, and he, November 19, 1761. He was deputy clerk of Westmoreland from 1740 to 1742 and clerk from that date to his death. He was Burgess in 1748-1751, and a justice in 1737. George Lee and Judith (Wormley) Lee his first wife had: I — ^Richard 5 bom August 13, 1739, died in in fancy. II — Elizabeth 5 born Nov. 21, 1750, died unmar ried May 19, 1828. By Anne (widow of Lawrence Washington) his second wife he had: III — George Fairfax 5 bom at Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland Co., Feb. 24, 1754, died there Dec. (69) 70 STRATFORD AND THE LEES 1804. He married (widow of Dr. Travers and had soA^eral children but none lived to marry ex cept a daughter Louisa who married John Tasker Carter and died without issue. He is buried with his wife and children at Mount Pleasant Garden, Westmoreland County. IV — ^Lancelot 5 born at Mt. Pleasant Westmore land County, Jan. 19, 1756. By his first wife Mary (Jones) Lee he had : 1 Lancelot Bathurst 6 who died unmarried in Charleston, S. C. 2 Sallie Fairfax 6 who married Robert Sangster. 3 Elizabeth 6 who married Col. James Chipley. 4 Nancy 6 who married Richard Cockrell. 5 Thomas 6 married but wife unknown family tradi tion claims he had three sons, George W. Lee 7, Phil lip De Catesby Lee 7 and Wm. F. Lee 7. V — William 5 born Nov. 17, 1758 died unmarried May 19, 1838. Hon. Philip Ludwell Lee. Philip Ludwell Lee 4 second child of Thomas 3 (Richard 2, Richard 1,) was born at Stratford Feb. 24, 1726-7, and died Feb. 21, 1775. Tradition has al ways claimed that all the sons of Thomas were born at Stratford. Mr. Lee was educated in England and studied law at the "Inner Temple," London. As heir-at-law of his father, Philip Ludwell in herited the larger share of his estate, and was charg ed with the care and education of his younger broth- FOURTH GENERATION 71 ers. These lands were in Westmoreland, Northum berland, on the eastern shore of Maryland, two is lands in the Potomac, and some lands up the river above the Falls of the Potomac. It has been said that Thomas Lee, many years before, had taken up land on the upper Potomac, above the sight of the present location of Georgetown, believing that some day the Colonies would become independent of Great Britain, and that the new nation would locate its capital on the Potomac near these falls ! This story seems rather improbable, one might have prophesied that the growing Colonies would one day form them selves into a new nation, but that one could so far in advance predict the location of its capital is rather unlikely. At any rate, prophet or no prophet, Thom as Lee did locate a claim only a few miles above the present city of Washington. (Lee of Va. 165-166. In 1757, Loudoun County was formed from Fair fax, and included in its borders some of Philip Lud well Lee's lands ; "Leesburg, the county seat, was named from the Lee family, who were among the early settlers of the county; it was established in September, 1758, in the thirty-second year of the reign of George II. Mr. Nicholas Minor, who owned the sixty acres around the court-house, had them laid off into streets and lots, some of which, at the passage of the act, had been built upon. The act con stituted the Hon. Philip Ludwell Lee, Esqr., Thom as Mason, Esqr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, James Ham ilton, Nicholas Minor, Josiah Clapham, Aeneas Campbell, John Hugh, Francis Hague, and William West, gentlemen, the trustees of the town." (Howe's HISTORY OF VIRGINIA, 353.) 72 STRATFORD AND THE LEES Philip Ludwell Lee was a member of the House of Burgesses (30th March, 1756), and succeeded his father as member of the Council ; apparently he was the secretary of the Council on the 18th of June, 1770, when a "list of. Books necessary for the Coun cil Chamber" was made out by him; the list included reports of Parliament, histories, philosophical trans actions, Demosthenes' orations, and the like. Philip Ludwell Lee married (about 1761-2) Eliza beth, second daughter of James Steptoe, of West moreland, and left three children. His widow mar ried Philip Richard Fendall, and died about June, 1789. On the 19th of April 1782, the report of the ap praisement and division of Philip Ludwell Lee's es tate was filed ; the land consisted of 6,595 acres, men tioned as "the Clifts, Stratford, and All Hallows;" the mansion house with its offices, and 1,800 acres were allotted Mrs. Fendall; the remaining two- thirds reserved for the two daughters, the son hav ing died. On the 30th of May, 1780, 1,352 pounds sterling, currency, one-third dower, was paid to Phil ip Richard Fendall, for "Mrs. Fendall." (Leeof Va. 167). The children of Philip Ludwell and Elizabeth (Steptoe) Lee were: I — Matilda 5, born at Stratford, married her cous in, Henry Lee, (Light Horse Harry) . H — Flora 5, born at Stratford, married her cous in, Ludwell Lee the second son of Richard Henry Lee, of Chantilly. Ill— Philip 5, born Feb. 24, 1775, died in infancy. FOURTH GENERATION 73 Thomas Ludwell Lee. Thomas Ludwell 4, sixth child of Thomas 3, (Rich ard 2, Richard 1) born at Stratford, Dec. 13, 1730, and died at his home, "Bellevue," in Stafford County, April 13, 1778, of rheumatic fever. Little is record ed of his early life but he probably was educated in England, like most of his brothers, and, no doubt, studied law there. Mr. Lee was spoken of as "the most popular man in Virginia, and the delight of the eyes of every Vir ginian." He was averse to public positions and held none outside of Virginia. At the time of his death he was one of the members of the General Court. "Thomas Ludwell Lee and Richard Henry Lee were brothers. Thomas Ludwell, the elder of the two, held a conspicious position as a patriot and lawyer, and died before the close of the war, but not until he had filled the most responsible trusts with fidelity and honor. He had been a member of the House of Burgesses, was a member of the Conven tion of July and December, 1775, and was chosen a member of the Committee of Safety. He took his seat in the Convention now sitting as a member from Stafford, and was placed on the committee appointed to draft a declaration of rights, and a plan of govern ment. On the organization of a new government un der the Constitution, he was appointed one of the five Revisors, and later elected one of the five judges of the General Court." Lee of Va. 169. Thomas Ludwell Lee was an ardent supporter of the Colonies against the encroachment of the Brit ish ministry, as the following extract from a letter 74 STRATFORD AND THE LEES to his brother, Richard Henry Lee, then attending Congress at Philadelphia shows. Writing from Will iamsburg, under date of May 18th, 1776, he said: "Enclosed you have some pointed resolves which passed our convention to the infinite joy of the people here. The preamble is not to be admired in point of composition, nor has the resolve for inde pendency that peremptory and decided air which I could wish. Perhaps the proviso, which reserves to this Colony the power of forming its own govern ment, may be questionable as to its fitness. Would not a uniform plan of government prepared for America by the Congress and approved by the Col onies be a surer foundation of increasing harmony to the whole ? However, such as they are, the exul tation here was extreme. The British flag was im mediately struck on the Capitol, and Continental hoisted in its room. The troops were drawn out, and we had a discharge of artillery and small arms. You have also a set of resolves offered by Col. M. Smith ; but the first, which were proposed the second day by the President, for the debate lasted two days, were preferred. These he had formed from the re solves and preambles of the first day, baldy put to gether. Col. Mason came to town yesterday after the arrival of the post. I showed him your letter, and he thinks with me that your presence here is of the last consequence. He designs to tell you so by letter to-day. All your friends agree in this opinion. Col. Nelson is on his way to Congress, which re moves the objection respecting a quorum of dele gates. To form a plan of just and equal government would not perhaps be so very difficult; but to pre- FOURTH GENERATION 75 serve it from being mar'd with a thousand impert inences, from being in the end a jumble of discord, unintelligible parts, will demand the protecting hand of a master. I cannot recollect with precision the quantity of lead which we have received from the mines, though I think it about ten tons. "The works are now carried on by the public on a large scale, and no doubt is entertained here that a full supply for the continent may be had from thence, by increasing the number of hands. In my next you shall have a more accurate acc't. The fast was ob served with all due solemnity yesterday. The dele gates met at the Capitol and went in procession to hear a sermon by appointment of the Convention. Corbin and Wormeley the first to an estate his father has in Caroline, the other to his planta tion in Berkley. Adieu my dear Brother, give my love to Loudoun, and let us have the satisfaction to see you assisting in the great work of this conven tion." The "resolves," which did not have the "peremp tory and decided air" that Mr. Lee desired, were passed by the Virginia Convention on May 15th, 1776, and were as follows : Resolved, That the delegates appointed to repre sent this Colony in General Congress, be instructed to propose to that respectable body, to declare the united colonies free and independent states, absolv ed from all allegiance to, or dependence on the crown or parliament of Great Britain ; and that they give the assent of this Colony to such declaration, and whatever measures may be thought necessary by 76 STRATFORD AND THE LEES Congress for forming foreign alliances, and a con federation of the colonies, at such time and in the manner that to them shall seem best : provided, that the power of forming governments for, and the reg ulations of the internal concerns of each colony, be left to the colonial legislatures. Thomas Ludwell Lee married Mary, daughter of William Aylett, probably of Prince William. They had the following issue: I — Thomas Ludwell 5, see page 139. II — William Aylette 5, died young and unmarried. Ill — George 5, see page 139. IV — Anne Fenton 5, born . . . died . . . ;married Jan. 3, 1782, Daniel Carroll Brent, of "Richland," Stafford County, and had twelve children. V — Lucinda 5, born. .. .died. ... ; married Dr. John Dalrymple Orr, of Prince William County, and left issue. VI — Rebecca 5, died unmarried. FOURTH GENERATION 77 Richard Henry Lee. Richard Henry Lee 4, seventh child of Thomas 3 (Richard 2, Richard 1), was born at Stratford, West moreland County, Jan. 20, 1732, and died at his home, Chantilly, in the same county, on June 19. 1794. After a course of private tuition at home, Mr. Lee was sent to the Wakefield Academy, in York shire, England; on leaving that school he made a brief tour of Northern Europe, and returned to Vir ginia, being then only nineteen years old. For some years, probably until his marriage, he resided with his eldest brother, at Stratford, and passed the time, it is said, in diligent reading of the ancient classics 78 STRATFORD AND THE LEES and modern histories. Such a range of study seem ed to be chosen, as if by intuition, to prepare him for the part he was destined afterward to take in the struggle between England and her American col onies. His taste for the classics was constantly dis played in after life by the frequent and appropriate quotations he made from them to enrich his diction or to fortify his argument. The greater part of the estate left Mr. Lee by his father was located in Prince William County, but he continued after his marriage to reside in Westmore land. It is said his eldest brother was so devoted to him that he would not consent to have him settle far away from Stratford. So, when Richard Henry was about to establish a home for himself, his broth er insisted that he should build near Stratford, and leased him, for the purpose, the estate called "Chan tilly." It appears this name was given it by Richard Henry, and that the estate was formerly known as "Hollis' Marsh." It was situated about three miles below Stratford, and also on the Potomac River. Later in life, Mr. Lee paid a rental for it to General Henry Lee, and mentions in his own will that he only held the estate on a lease. When about twenty-three, Mr. Lee raised a com pany to join General Braddock in his ill-fated expedi tion against the French and Indians; their aid was declined by the haughty Englishman, who had no use for' provincials. So, perhaps, Braddock preserv ed Mr. Lee's life for a future of greater usefulness. A few years later, when about twenty-five, Mr. Lee was appointed a Justice for Westmoreland, a posi tion of influence and much sought after in those FOURTH GENERATION 79 days. He so impressed his colleagues on the bench with his special fitness for the duties of the position, that they petitioned the governor to antedate his commission that he might be chosen their presiding officer. It was about this date (1757) that he made his first appearance in the political arena, by being chosen a member of the House of Burgesses. He continued a member of that body, when not in Con gress, until 1792, when he finally retired from active public life. "Like his brother, Thomas Ludwell, he was op pressed with a natural diffidence, which was height ened by a contemplation of the dignified intellects who surrounded him, and for one or two sessions he took no part in their debates." His first effort in that body was a speech against the importation of slaves into the Colony; the proposition was "to lay so heavy a tax upon the importation of slaves as ef fectually to put an end to that iniquitous and dis graceful traffic within the Colony." This trade was continually the object of repressive legislation by the early Virginians. Mr. Lee's speech on this proposi tion proved him to possess keen foresight, and to have thus early discovered this dangerous rock, upon which the future Republic was destined to be so nearly wrecked. His opening words were : "Sir, as the consequences of the determination we must make in the subject of this day's debate will greatly affect posterity, as well as ourselves, it sure ly merits our most serious attention. And well am I persuaded. Sir, that if it be so considered, it will ap pear both from reason and experience, that the im portation of Slaves into this Colony has been and will 80 STRATFORD AND THE LEES be attended with affects dangerous both to our polit ical and moral interests. When it is observed that some of our neighboring Colonies, though much later than ourselves in point of settlement, are now far before us in improvement, to what. Sir, can we at tribute this strange, this unhappy truth ? The rea son seems to be this : THAT WITH THEIR WHITES THEY IMPORT ARTS AND AGRICULTURE, WHILST WE WITH OUR BLACKS EXCLUDE BOTH." After alluding to the dangers of survile wars, etc., he added: "Nor, Sir, are these the only reasons to be urged against the importation. In my opinion, not the cruelties practiced in the con quest of Spanish America, not the savage barbarity of the Saracen, can be more big with atrocity than our cruel trade to Africa. There we encourage those poor, ignorant people to wage eternal war against each other; not nation against nation, but father against son, children against parents, and brothers against brothers, whereby parental, filial, and fra ternal duty is terribly violated ; that by war, stealth, or surprise we CHRISTIANS may be furnished with our FELLOW-CREATURES, who are no longer con sidered as created in the image of God as well as our selves, and equally entitled to liberty and freedom by the great law of nature ; but they are to be deprived, forever deprived, of all the comforts of life, and to be made the most wretched of the human kind. I have seen it observed by a great writer that Christi anity, by introducing into Europe the truest prin ciples of humanity, universal benevolence, and broth erly love, had happily abolished civil slavery. Let us, who profess the same religion, practice its pre- FOURTH GENERATION 81 cepts, and, by agreeing to this duty, convince the world that we know and practice our truest inter ests and that we pay a proper regard to the dictates of justice and humanity." When the Stamp Act was first passed he moved in the House of Burgesses for the address to his Maj esty, the Memorial to the Lords, and the remon strance to the House of Commons, served on the committee appointed to prepare them, and wrote the first and last paper. WESTMORELAND RESOLUTION. In 1766, the next year after the Stamp Act was passed and ten years prior to the Declaration of In dependence, Richard Henry Lee received a letter from his brother Thomas Ludwell Lee, which said among other things, "We propose to be in Leedstown in the afternoon of the 27th inst., (Feb. 1766,) where we expect to meet those who will come from your way." This would be a fine opportunity to effect the scheme of an association, and I should be glad if you would think of a plan." On the day specified our Patriotic Fathers rode in to that ancient village and there formed an Associa tion and solemnly bound themselves in an agreement and signed by one hundred and fifteen men. The agreement was written by Richard Henry Lee and reads : We who subscribe this paper, have associated and do bind ourselves to each other, to God and to our country, by the firmest ties that religion and virtue can frame, most sacredly and punctually to stand by 82 STRATFORD AND THE LEES and, with our lives and fortunes, to support, main tain and defend each other in the observance and ex ecution of "articles among which was this : As the Stamp Act does absolutely direct the property of the people to be taken from them without their con sent, expressed by their representatives, and as in many cases it deprives the British-American sub ject of his rights to trial by jury, we do determine at every hazard, and paying no regard to danger or to death, we will exert every faculty to prevent the execution of the said Stamp Act in any instance whatsoever within this colony. And every abandon ed wretch who shall be so lost to virtue and public good as wickedly to contribute to the introduction or fixture of the Stamp Act in this colony by using stamp paper, or by any other means, we will, with the utmost expedition, convince all such profligates that immediate danger and disgrace shall attend their prostitute purposes." On August 1st, 1774, delegates from the several counties met at Williamsburg, discussed their griev ances, declared their rights, and elected delegates to a general Congress, of all the Colonies to meet in Philadelphia, Pa., September 4th, 1774. The following memorandum, in General Washing ton's writing, doubtless gives the result of the bal loting in this Convention for these delegates. The original paper is in the possession of the Pennsyl vania Historical Society : Peyton Randolph, 104 ; R. H. Lee, 100; Geo. Washington, 98; Pat. Henry, 89; Richard Bland, 79; Ben. Harrison, 66; Edmd. Pen dleton, 62. The first Constitutional Congress met in Carpen- FOURTH GENERATION 83 ter's Hall, on Chestnut Street, Philadelphia ; its con vening had been in many ways prepared for by cor respondence between the leading patriots in the dif ferent colonies. Mr. Lee had been an early advocate of this correspondence; he wrote (under date of July 25th, 1768) to John Dickinson, of Pennsylvania, sug gesting not only that select committees should be ap pointed for this purpose," but that private corres pondence should be conducted between the lovers of liberty in every province." In 1775, the Virginia Assembly (Massachusetts took similar action about the same date) appointed "a Committee of Corres pondence," of which Mr. Lee was a member. The first voice raised in this Congress was that of Pat rick Henry, who, in a speech, it is said, of impassion ed eloquence, unfolded to his anxious listeners the perils and the duties of the hour. The second speak er was Richard Henry Lee, who, supplementing and enlarging upon Henry's words, impressed the mem bers with his wisdom and sagacity. Such evidently was the result of his eloquence, for he immediately took a leading place in that body, composed as it was of the ablest and wisest of all Americans. Joseph Read, a fellow member, wrote of the Virginians: "There are some fine fellows come from Virginia, but they are very high. The Bostonians are mere milk sops to them. We understand they are the capital men of the Colony, both in fortune and understand ing." Some one has said that the delegates from Virginia are "carefully selected, and represented in Richard Henry Lee and Patrick Henry, oratory and eloquence; in George Washington, the soldier; in Richard Bland, the finished writer; in Benjamin 84 STRATFORD AND THE LEES Harrison, the wealthy and influential planter ; in Ed mund Pendleton, the man of law; in Peyton Ran dolph, solidity of character." Mr. Lee was an active and energetic member of many of the leading committees of this Congress; from his pen emanated the memorial of the Con gress to the people of British America, which has been generally considered a masterly document. Being a member of the next Congress, he wrote their address to the people of Great Britain, also a master ly state paper. As chairman of the committee, he drew up the instructions of Congress to General Washington upon his assuming command of the army. His most important and distinguished serv ice was rendered on June 7th, 1776, when, in accord ance with the instructions of the Virginia Conven tion,* and at the request of his colleagues, he pro posed the resolutions for the independence of the Colonies ; of which resolution a FAC SIMILE is giv en below. OfcjC'NAi Paper is treservkj in the Archives of tub Staie DsFAaniEKT at WASHiNcntK *See pp. 75. FOURTH GENERATION 85 This motion was seconded by John Adams, of Massachusetts ; the discussion upon its adoption con tinued until the 10th of June, when a committee was appointed to prepare a declaration, in accordance with this motion. Mr. Lee's speech advocating his resolution has not been preserved but tradition states that it was an effort worthy of the occasion. His biographer has given these concluding sentences: "Why then, Sir, do we longer delay ? Why still de liberate ? Let this happy day give birth to an Amer ican Republic! Let her arise, not to devastate and conquer, but to re-establish the reign of peace and law. The eyes of Europe are fixed upon us. She de mands of us a living example of freedom, that may exhibit a contrast, in the felicity of the citizen, to the ever-increasing tyranny which desolates her pol luted shores. She invites us to prepare an asylum where the unhappy may find solace and the persecut ed repose. She entreats us to cultivate a propitious soil, where that generous plant, which first sprung and grew in England, but is now withered by the poisonous blasts of Scottish tyranny, may revive and flourish, sheltering under its salubrious and inter minable shade, all the unfortunate of the human race. If we are not this day wanting in our duty to our country, the names of the American legislators of '76 will be placed by posterity at the side of The seus, of Lycurgus, of Romulus, of Numa, of the three Williams, of Nassau, and of all those whose memory has been, and forever will be, dear to virtuous men and good citizens." It is the uniform rule of all deliberative bodies to appoint the member who has offered the resolution 86 STRATFORD AND THE LEES the chairman of any committee selected to report upon that motion. In this case, therefore, Mr. Lee would have been chosen chairman of the committee for the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, had he been present. On the evening of the 10th of June, he received word of the serious illness of his wife; he left Philadelphia to visit her on the very day this committee was appointed. Thus an acciden tal sickness in his family probably deprived him of the signal honor of being the author as well as the mover of the Declaration of American Independence. It is said that the English papers, which gave the first intelligence of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, headed their columns with this line: "Richard Henry Lee and Patrick Henry have at last accomplished their object: The colonies have declared themselves independent of the mother country." Mr. Lee's grandson stated that Governor Johnson, of Maryland, told him "that shortly after the war, he heard from an English gentleman of great respecta bility who lived in London during the Revolution, and who had opportunities of hearing a good deal of the plans and intentions of the ministry, that they had intended, in the event of the reduction of the col onies,, to have demanded the delivery of General Washington and Richard Henry Lee, and to have them executed as principle rebels." Mr. Lee continued to serve in Congress for many years, being a member in 1778-80-84-87, and was one of the signers of the articles of confederation in 1778. During the sessions of 1784, he occupied the the chair as Presidei;it, being, it is said , the unanim- FOURTH GENERATION 87 ous choice of all the delegates present. Some idea of his activity and of his almost incessant labors, may be gathered from the fact of his having served upon nearly one hundred committees during the sessions of 1776-77. Lee of Va. 176-177-178-181. The following resolution was passed by the Vir ginia Assembly in 1777. " 'Resolved, That the thanks of this House be giv en by the Speaker, to Richard Henry Lee, Esq.; for the faithful service he has rendered to his country, in discharge of his duty, as one of the delegates from this State in general Congress.' " Mr. Lee opposed the adoption of the Constitution of 1787 ; in this opposition he was in agreement with George Mason, Patrick Henry, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Jefferson, and others in Virginia, and many of the ablest patriots of the time in other States. But, after the ratification of the Constitution he con sented to serve as one of the Senators from Virginia, mainly for the purpose of securing some amendments which he believed to be needed; many of these he was instrumental in securing. After many years of active service in Congress, and all the while a mem ber of the Virginia Assembly, he finally, in 1792, re tired from public life. Both branches of the Vir ginia Assembly gave him a vote of thanks for his patriotic services. Richard Henry Lee, with his brothers, was a de voted personal, as well as political friend of George Washington; and, if one may judge by the tenor of the correspondence which passed between Washing ton and the Lees, this affection was cordially return- 88 STRATP^ORD AND THE LEES ed by Washington. One of the last letters upon pub lic affairs written by Mr. Lee was to Washington ; in it he most cordially and heartily indorsed the admin istration of the President. The Virginians seemd especially anxious that Mr. Lee should attend their convention, when it met to frame a constitution. Jefferson wrote (July 8th, 1776) : "I shall return to Virginia after the 11th of August. I wish my successor may be certain to come before that time: in that case, I shall hope to see you, and not Wythe, in convention, that the bus iness of the government, which is of everlasting con cern, may receive your aid." John Page of "Rosewell," wrote "... .1 would to God you could be here at the next Convention .... If you could, make no doubt you might easily prevail on the Convention to declare for Independency and es tablish a form of government." George Mason, of "Gunston," wrote: " I need not tell you how much you will be wanted here on this occasion. I speak with the sincerity of a friend when I assure you, that in my opinion, your presence cannot, must not be dispensed with. We cannot do without you." Mr. Lee had been most urgent in the demand that no treaty should be made with England that did not allow to America the free navigation of the Missis sippi and the right of fishing, etc., on the Banks of Newfoundland, etc. For this the New England States were very grateful to him, as is shown in this letter : "Portsmouth, N, H., April 17th, 1783. My dear Sir: — I cannot omit an opportunity that offers by a FOURTH GENERATION 89 vessel bound to Virginia, to congratulate you on the happy event which, for many years, has been the great object of my labors and anxious cares. The very unequivocal part you, my dear friend, have tak en, in this great resolution, must furnish your hours of retirement with the most pleasing reflections. Though the terms may not be, in all respects, exactly conformable to our wishes, they are, perhaps, equal to what we had a right to expect, all things being considered. "My happiness is greatly increased by this joyous event, as it opens a prospect of seeing you here. I already anticipate the pleasure of recapitulating with you those private as well as public consultations, in which you took so eminent a part, and which have produced such happy effects. This country, my dear sir, is very particularly obliged for your exertions to secure the most valuable branch of her trade, the fisheries. As a small token of my sense of the obli gation, I must beg your acceptance of a quintal of fish, which, I think, is of the best quality. With very particular attachment, and the greatest respect, I am, my dear sir, your most affectionate friend and humble servant. (Signed) WM. WHIPPLE." Both Samuel and John Adams expressed them selves frequently in a similar manner; indeed, such was the common tenor of the letters received by this patriot. No man of the period appears to have been held in greater esteem by those whose good opinion was at once a tribute to merit and an honor to be coveted. John Adams noted in his "diary" his im pressions of the various men he met at different 90 STRATFORD AND THE LEES times, and had this to say of his first meetings with Mr. Lee — and time seems rather to have increased than diminished his good opinion of the Lees. Saturday, September 3rd, 1774. "Breakfasted at Dr. Shippen's; Dr. Witherspoon was there. Col. R. H. Lee lodges there ; he is a masterly man. This Mr. Lee is a brother of the sheriff of London, and of Dr. Arthur Lee, and of Mrs. Shippen ; they are all sen sible and deep thinkers. Lee is for making the re peal of every revenue law — the Boston Port Bill, the bill for altering the Massachusetts Constitution, and the Quebec Bill and the removal of all troops — the end of the Congress, and an abstinence from all du- tied articles, this means; rum, molasses, sugar, tea, wine, fruits, etc. He is absolutely certain that the same ship which carries home the resolution will bring back the redress. If we were to suppose that any time would intervene, he should be for excep tions. He thinks we should inform his Majesty that we never can be happy while the Lords Bute, Mans field and North are his confidents and counsellors. He took his pen and attempted a calculation of the num bers of people represented by the Congress, which he made about two millions and two hundred thous and; and of revenue, now actually raised, which he made eighty thousand pounds sterling. He would not allow Lord North to have great abilities ; he had seen no symptoms of them; his whole administra tion had been a blunder. He said the opposition had been feeble and incompetent before, that this was time to make vigorous exertions." Mr. Grigsby, in his DISCOURSE ON THE VIR GINIA CONVENTION OF 1776, has said of him: FOURTH GENERATION 91 "Among the patriotic names distinguished in our early councils none is invested with a purer luster than the name of Lee. It is radiant with the glory of the Revolution. It has been illustrated by the sword, by the pen, and by the tongue. And in the Convention, now sitting, were two brothers* who bore the name, and who impressed upon it a dignity, which, prominent as it had been for more than a century of Colonial history, it had never borne be fore." Henry Lee, the eldest son of General Henry Lee, is responsible for this story concerning Mr. Lee. "During the War of the Revolution, and, I believe, while Mr. Jefferson was Governor of Virginia, a Brit ish squadron which had been scouring the waters and wasting the shores of the Chesapeake, taking advantage of a favorable breeze, suddenly came-to off the coast of Virginia, where the majestic cliffs of Westmoreland overlook the stormy and sea-like Potomac. Mr. Lee was at that time on one of those visits to his family, with which, from the permanent sitting of Congress, the members were of necessity occasionally accommodated. He hastily collected from the nearest circle of his neighbors a small and ill-armed band, repaired at their head to the point on which the enemy had commenced a descent, and without regard to his inferiority of means and num bers, instantly attacked them. He drove the party on shore back into their barges, and held them aloof until ships were brought to cover the landing with round shot and shells, which he had no means of returning. Then as he was the first in advance so *Riehard Henry Lee, Francis Lightfoot Lee. 92 STRATFORD AND THE LEES he was the last to retire ; as the men who were with him have, since his death, often said. Several of the hostile party were killed or wounded, among them an officer, whom they carired off. One man they buried on the shore. In a grove of aged beech trees, not far from Mr. Lee's residence, rest the remains of this unknown and unforgotten foe." At the present time there is shown at Stratford one of these round shot, which tradition says was fir ed at the house by an English warship ; how much of the truth there is in this tradition cannot be as certained. Bishop Meade has left his estimate of Mr. Lee's character and public services in these words : "In looking over the two volumes containing the life and correspondence of Richard Henry Lee, of Chantilly, in Westmoreland, the reader cannot fail to ask himself the question, 'Was there a man in the Union who did more in his own county and State and country, by action at home and correspondence abroad, to prepare the people of the United States for the opposition to English usurpation, and the assertion of American independence? Was there a man in America who toiled and endured more than he, both in body and in mind, in the American cause ? Was there a man in the Legislature of Virginia, and in the Congress of the Union, who had the pen of a ready writer so continually in his hand, and to which so many public papers may be justly ascribed, and by whom so much hard work in committee-rooms was performed ?' To him must be assigned the hon ourable but perilous duty of first moving in our American Congress, 'That these United Colonies are. FOURTH GENERATION 93 and of right ought to be, free and independent States.' Nor is it at all wonderful that one who was conversant with the plans and intentions of the Eng lish ministry should have declared that, in the event of the reduction of the Colonies, the delivery of Gen eral Washington and Richard Henry Lee would be de manded, in order for their execution as rebels. Al though the great principles of religion and morality rest on infinitely higher ground than the opinion of the greatest and best of men, yet it is most gratify ing to find them sustained in the writings and ac tions of such men as Richard Henry Lee. His biographer says that he had early studied the evidences of the Christian religion, and had through life avowed his belief in its divine origin. He was a member of the Episcopal Church in full communion, and took a deep interest in its welfare. His attach ment to the church of his father was evinced by the interest he took in seeking to obtain consecration for our Bishops, immediately after the war, and when he was President of Congress, Twice were thanks returned to him by our General Convention for his services. Mr. Lee was a decided advocate of the appointment of public acts of supplication and thanksgiving to Almighty God in times of adversity and prosperity. When all was dark and lowering in our political horizon, and when it was proposed that, as one means of propitiating the favor of God, it should be recommended to the different States to take the most effectual means for encouraging relig ion and good morals, and for suppressing 'theatri cal entertainments, horse-racing, gaming, and such other diversions as are productive of idleness, dissi- 94 STRATFORD AND THE LEES pation, and a general depravity of manners,' while some voted against the measure, Mr. Lee was found in company with the most pious men of the land in favor of it, and it was carried by a large majority. Again, when by the capture of Burgoyne's army the hearts of Americans were cheered, we find Mr. Lee one of a committee drafting a preamble and resolu tions, which is believed to be from his own pen, in the following pious strain: " 'Forasmuch as it is the indispensable duty of all men to adore the superintending providence of Al mighty God, to acknowledge with gratitude their obligations to Him for the benefits received, and to implore such further blessings as they stand in need of; and it having pleased Him in His abundant mercy, not only to continue to us the innumerable bounties of His Common providence, but also to smile upon us in the prosecution of a just and necessary war for the independence and establishment of our inalienable rights and liberties ; particularly in that He hath been pleased in so great a measure to pros per the means used for the support of our arms, and crown tliem. with the most signal success ; it is there fore recommended to the Legislature and the execu tive powers of these States, to set apart Thursday the eighteenth day of December next, for solemn thanksgiving and praise; that with one heart and one voice the people may express the feelings of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the serv ice of their Divine Benefactor; and, together with their sincere thanks, acknowledgements and offer ings, they may join the penitent confession of their manifold sins, whereby they have forfeited every FOURTH GENERATION 95 favour, and their earnest and humble supplication that it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of remembrance ; that it may please God, graciously to shower his blessings on the Government of these states respectively and to prosper the public council of the whole United States; to inspire our Com manders, both by land an sea, and all under them, with that wisdom and fortitude which may render them fit instruments under the providence of Al mighty God to secure for these United States the great test of all blessings, Independance and Peace, that it may please him to prosper the trade and man ufactures of the people and the labor of the husband men that our land may yield its increase to protect schools and seminaries of learning so necessary for cultivating the principles of true liberty, virtue, and piety under his nurturing hand, and to prosper the means of religion for the promotion and enlargement of the kingdom which consists of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. "It is further recommended that all servile labor and such recreation as at other times innocent, may be unbecoming the purpose of this appointment on so solemn an occasion.' " This historic document was adopted by Congress October 30th, 1777 and sent to the Governors of the respective states on the 1st of November. The question about paying debts in depreciated currency came on, Mr. Lee evinced his high and hon orable sense of morality in the earnest and eloquent opposition made to it. He declared that nothing so deeply distressed him as a proposition which he re- 96 STRATFORD AND THE LEES garded as a violation of honesty and good faith among men, and said that it "would have been better to have remained the honest slaves of Britain, than dishonest freemen." Of Richard Henry Lee's personal appearance and of his style of oratory one or two descriptions by contemporaries may be, given William Wirt wrote : "His face was on the Roman model ; his nose Caesa- rean ; the port and carriage of his head, leaning per suasively and gracefully forward; and the whole contour, noble and fine. He has studied the classics in the true spirit of criticism. His taste had that delicate touch which seized with intuitive certainty every beauty of an author, and his genius that native affinity which combined them without an effort. In to every walk of literature and science he had carried this mind of exquisite selection, and brought it back to the business of life, crowned with every light of learning and decked with every wreath that ah the muses and all the graces could entwine. Nor did these light decorations constitute the whole value of its freight. He possesed a rich store of historical and political knowledge, with an activity of observa tion and a certainty of judgment which turned that knowledge to the very best account. He was not a lawyer by profession, but he understood thoroughly the Constitution, both of the mother country and of her colonies; and the elements also of the civil and municipal law. Thus, while his eloquence was free from those stiff and technical restraints which the habits of forensic speaking are apt to generate, he had all the legal learning which was necessary to a statesman. He reasoned well and declaimed freely FOURTH GENERATION 97 and splendidly. The note of his voice was deep and melodious. It was the canorous voice of Cicero. He had lost the use of one of his hands which he kept constantly covered with a black silk bandage, neatly fitted to the palm of his hand, but leaving his thumb free; yet, notwithstanding this disadvantage, his gesture was so graceful and highly finished that it is said he had acquired it by practising before a mirror. Such was his promptitude that he required no prep aration for debate. He was ready for any subject as soon as it was announced ; and his speech was so co pious, so rich, so mellifluous, set off with such be witching cadence of voice and such captivating grace of action that, while you listened to him, you desired to hear nothing superior, and indeed thought him perfect. He had a quick sensibility and a fervid im agination." Dr. Rush said of him: "I never knew so great an orator whose speeches were so short. Indeed, I might almost say that he could not speak long. He had conceived his subject so clearly, and presented it so immediately to his hearers, that there appeared nothing more to be said about it. He did not use fig ures to ornament discourse, but made them the ve hicles of argument." John Adams wrote, February 24th, 1821, to a grandson of R. H. Lee: "With your grandfather, Richard Henry Lee, I served in Congress from 1774 to 1778, and afterward in the Senate of the United States in 1789. He was a gentleman of fine talents, of amiable manners and great worth. As a public speaker, he had a fluency as easy and graceful as melodious, which his classical education enabled him 98 STRATFORD AND THE LEES to decorate with frequent allusion to the finest pas sages of antiquity. With all his brothers,, he was al ways devoted to the cause of his country." Mr. Lee's will, dated June 18th, 1793, was probat ed in Westmoreland County, June 24th, 1794. Mr. Lee died two years after retiring from public life; his constitution had been enfeebled by his long and arduous labors. He was troubled much with gout, which attacked the abdominal viscera, and caused him great suffering, but, though his body had become feeble, his mind retained its vigor. He breathed his last at Chantilly, June 19th, 1794, and was buried in the old family burial place, at the "Burnt House Fields," Mt. Pleasant, as he desired in his will. Of the home of Richard Henry Lee, little is known. Thomas Lee Shippen, when describing his visit to Westmoreland, wrote his father that Chantilly "com mands a much finer view than Stratford by reason of a large bay into which the Potomac forms itself opposite Chantilly The house is rather com modious than elegant. The sitting-room which is very well ornamented, is 18x30 feet, and the dining- room 20x24." From the inventory and appraisement of the furniture, etc., at Chantilly, it is learned that there was a dining-room, library, parlor, and cham ber on the first floor. The hall being, as was usual, furnished as a sitting-room, contained a mahogany desk, twelve arm chairs, a round and a square table, a covered walnut table, two boxes of tools, and a trumpet. On the second floor there were four large chambers and a small one at the head of the stairs : two rooms on the third floor; store rooms and closets. FOURTH GENERATION 99 The outbuildings mentioned were, kitchen, dairy, blacksmith shop, stable, and barn. The enumeration of the books in the library showed about 500 sepa rate works, on science, history, politics, medicine, farming, etc., etc., which were appraised at 229 pounds, 10 shillings and 7 pence. Of money in the house at the time of his death, there were $54 in silver, valued at 16 pounds 4 shillings; in bank of Alexandria, 181 pounds, 19 shillings, 7 pence; "To bacco notes" for 13,907 pounds, nett. Richard Henry Lee was twice married; first, on December 3rd, 1757, to Anne Aylett, who was prob ably a daughter, or granddaughter, of William and Anne Aylett, of King Wflliam County ; she died De cember 12th, 1768, leaving four young children, and was buried, as was stated in her husband's will, at Mt. Pleasant. But a monument was placed in the old church at Nominy, to her memory — another in stance of a person, buried in the old family burying- ground, while a tablet to her memory was placed in a church some miles off. The old Nominy church stood upon a slight hill overlooking Nominy Creek, and was about five miles from Mt. Pleasant, and about the same distance from Stratford, being situ ated between the two estates. The old church was burned many years ago; This copy of the inscrip tion on the tablet is from a manuscript in his writ ing: "Description of my dear Mrs. Lee's monument in Nominy Church." Sacred to the memory of Mrs. Anne Lee, wife of Col. Richard Lee. This monument was erected by her afflicted husband, in the year 1769. 100 STRATFORD AND THE LEES Reflect, dear reader, on the great uncertainty of human life, since neither esteemed temperament nor the most amiable goodnes could save this excellent Lady from death in the bloom of Life. She left be hind here four children, two sons and two daughters. Obiit 12th December, 1768, aet. 30. "Was then so precious a flower But given us to behold it waste. The short lived blossom of an hour. To nice, too fair, too sweet to last." Richard Henry and Anne (Aylett) Lee (his first wife) had four children. I — Thomas, 5 see page 140. II — Ludwell, 5 see page 141. Ill— Mary, 5 born July 28, 1764, married Col. Wil liam Augustine Washington, and died early in life, leaving no issue. IV — Hannah, 5 born in 1766, married Corbin Washington, of Walnut Farm, Westmoreland Coun ty, and died about 1801. Had six children. Richard Henry married again about June 1769, Mrs. Anne (Gaskins) Pinckhard. Richard Henry and Anne (Pinckhard) Lee (his second wife) had two sons and three daughters. V — Anne 5, born Dec. 1, 1770, married her cous in, Charles Lee, died Sept. 9, 1804. VI— Henrietta 5, born Dec. 10, 1773, twice mar ried, first, to Richard Lee Turberville, second, the Rev. William Maffit, died 1803-4. VII— Sarah 5, born Nov. 27, 1775, married her FOURTH GENERATION 101 cousin, Edmund Jennings Lee and died at Alexan dria, May 18, 1837. VIII — Cassius 5, born at Chantilly, Aug. 18, 1779. "May every Caesar feel The deep keen searching of a Patriot's steel." "Dyed at Princeton, N. J., July 8th, 1798, in the 19th year of his age Cassius Lee (son of R. H. Lee, Esqr.) a student of Nassau College, New Jersey. Let not the voice of sorrow be repressed, let it teach those who knew him not, to appreciate the loss the community has sustained in the death of this ami able young man. He was endowed with feelings the most ardent and philanthropic, united to a superior intellect, assiduously cultivated, combined with sen timents of Liberality and Benevolence. But, alas! the hopes formed of such a youth were never to be realized, he was received by the grave, almost at the time he was to leave the place of his education, and bestow his talents on his Country. From the short period of his life, his acquaintance was confined to a few, but while one of that few remains, he will be respected, beloved and lamented. " 'Some messenger of God From Earth returning Saw this beauteous flower, transported gathered it And in his hand bore it to Heaven rejoicing.' " (Signed) Cornelia Lee. IX — Francis Lightfoot 5, see page 145. 102 STRATFORD AND THE LEES s ^ f^ V ^ 'arai ?^ 1 % •^^m fci^^ 1 V "«'^-'? r^E. ^jgg H^BbL: '^'•^^ K oHb^ .«#' fe^ " J| H ^^^m 1 Kf ^m ^^7' \ H^^^^V^ ^ ' Francis Lightfoot Lee. Francis Lightfoot Lee 4, eighth child of Thomas 3 (Richard 2, Richard 1), born at Stratford, Oct. 14, 1734, and died at his home, "Menokin," Richmond Cojmty, Jan., 1797. He was educated at home by a private tutor, the Rev. Mr. Craig, who not only made him a good scholar but imbued him with a genuine fondness for the study of the classics, and for literature in general. Mr. Lee, on arriving at manhood, first settled in Loudoun County, the lands left him by his father being in that county; he and his brother, Philip Ludwell, are mentioned as among the founders of the town of Leesburg; as early as 1765, he appeared in public life, being chosen a Bur gess from that county. A few years later, on his FOURTH GENERATION 103 marriage, he moved from Loudoun to Richmond County and built himself a home which he called Menokin, from the Indian name Manakin. Being chosen a Burgess from Richmond County, he was acting in that position when the first rumbling of the coming storm were heard, and seems to have promptly taken his stand by the side of his brothers as an earnest patriot. When in August, 1775, Col. Bland resigned his position as a representative in the Continental Congress, George Mason himself re fusing the position, recommended Francis Lightfoot Lee, and he was chosen. It is not recorded that he held any position as a speaker ; his usefulness, there fore lay in the quieter and less ostentatious forms of public service, and it may be safely assumed that he was useful, for he was successively re-elected in 1776-77-78. In the spring of 1779 he retired from Congress, being averse to public life and hoping to be allowed to live henceforth a quiet country life. But not so ; he was soon called again to the front, this time to serve in the Senate chamber of the Vir ginia Assembly. Mr. Lee's chief public services while in Congress were to assist in framing the articles of the old con federation, and later in his vigorous demand that no treaty of peace should be made with Great Britain which did not guarantee to the Americans the free dom of the Northern fisheries and the free naviga tion of the Mississippi River. Subsequent events have amply proven the wisdom of his foresight in making this demand. Mr. Lee was also with his brother, Richard Henry, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. 104 STRATFORD AND THE LEES An anecdote is told of Francis Lightfoot Lee which will illustrate his admiration for Washington. Being one day at the county court house, just after the new federal Constitution had been adopted at Philadelphia, and was, of course, the subject of gen eral interest, some one asked his opinion of it. He replied that he did not pretend to be a good judge of such important matters, but that one circum stance satisfied him in its favor, this was that "Gen eral Washington was in favor of it and John Warden was against it." Warden was a Scotch lawyer of the county who had just been making a speech against the ratification of the new Constitution. A writer on the Signers of the Declaration of In dependence has said of him; "In the spring of 1779, Mr. Lee retired from Congress, and returned to the home to which both his temper and inclination led him, with delight. He was not, however, long per mitted to enjoy the satisfaction it conferred, for the internal affairs of his native State were in a situa tion of so much agitation and perplexity that his fel low-citizens insisted on his representing them in the Senate of Virginia. He carried into that body all the integrity, sound judgment, and love of coun try for which he had ever been conspicuous, and his labors there were alike honorable to himself and use ful to the State. "He did not long remain in this situation. His love of ease, and fondness for domestic occupations now gained the entire ascendency over him, and he retired from public life with the firm determination of never again engaging in its busy and wearisome scenes; and to this determination he strictly adher- FOURTH GENERATION 105 ed. In this retirement his character was most con spicuous. He always possesed more of the gay, good humor and pleasing wit of Atticus than the stern ness of Cato, or the eloquence of Cicero. To the young, the old, the grave, the gay, he was alike a pleasing and interesting companion. None approach ed him with diffidence ; no one left him but with re gret. To the poor around he was a counsellor, physi cian, and friend; to others, his conversation was at once agreeable and instructive, and his life a fine ex ample for imitation. Like the great founder of our Republic, he was much attached to agriculture, and retained from his estate a small farm for experi ment and amusement. "Having no children, Mr. Lee lived an easy and quiet life. Reading, farming, and the company of his friends and relatives filled up the remaining por tion of his days. Mr. Lee married April 21st, 1769, Rebecca, second daughter of Col. John and Rebecca (Plater) Tayloe, of "Mt. Airy," Richmond County. Both he and his wife died within a few days of each other and with out issue, in the winter of 1797, having taken cold from exposure to the severe weather then" prevail ing. His will was dated December 30th, 1795, and pro bated in Richmond County February 6th, 1797. It was written by himself. • 106 STRATFORD AND THE LEES William Lee. William 4, tenth chfld of Thomas 3, (Richard 2, Richard 1), born at Stratford, Aug. 31, 1739, died at Greenspring, June 27, 1795. While residing in London he married his cousin Hannah Philippa, daughter of Philip Ludwell, of Greenspring, Va. The Greenspring mansion, once famous in the ear ly higtory of Virginia, was built by Sir William Berk eley ; probably just previous to his marriage with the beautiful widow, Mrs. Stephens. Greenspring was situated about five miles from Jamestown, and about two miles from James River. During Berkeley's life Greenspring was practically the seat of the govern ment, and his party were known as the "Greenspring FOURTH GENERATION 107 faction." After his death his widow married Philip Ludwell, a widower, who lived near by, and again the mansion became the centre of political manoeuver- ing. Mrs. Ludwell always called herself "Lady Berkeley;" she left this estate to her husband and he, in turn, to his son. So it descended until it came into the possession of the two daughters of the third Philip Ludwell; one of whom married WilHam Lee, as stated. Of the early life and education of William Lee nothing is known; presumably he was educated at home, as was his brother, Francis Lightfoot Lee. He first appeared on record as one of the signers, in February, 1766, of the famous resolutions of the patriots of the Northern Neck.* Very shortly after this, he must have gone to settle in London as a Vir ginian Merchant. His brother Arthur accompani ed him to study law at the Temple. The two broth ers appear soon to have become interested in the po litical questions of the hour, which were of the most exciting nature ; to the general questions of political character, there were added those of a local nature, and the two combined kept the London merchants greatly excited. For an American, the mercantile business appears to have been simply the selling of tobacco and buying manufactured goods to send out in return for the tobacco; in the royal exchange there was "tlie Virginia Walk," where merchants in terested in Colonial trading, chiefly conducted their business. William Lee seems to have divided his time between mercantile and political pursuits; for he had not been long in London before he was en- *See pp. 81. 108 STRATFORD AND THE LEES gaged very actively in its local politics. His numer ous letters home, were about equally divided be tween politics and business, and it is probable that these letters kept Americans well informed as to the trend of opinion in England. From the earliest date, he warned them that they could not expect any redress from the British ministry; that their only alternatives were surrender or war. "In May, 1775, the alderman of Aldgate ward, John Shakespeare, died, and a ward-mote was held at Iron-monger's Hall to elect a successor. .... Mr. Lee was elected, and made a 'spirited speech' to the electors, summarized by the London Chronicle as follows: — 'He assured them that though he was elected for life, he should always think himself accountable to them for the discharge of the trust reposed in him. That as a public magis trate, he should attend the dispensation of justice with care and assiduity ; and as their particular mag istrate, he should endeavor to promote and maintain harmony, peace, and good order in the ward. He said that as to his public principles, he held the free constitution of this country sacred and inestimable, which, as the source and security of all our happi ness, it was the duty of every honest man to defend from violation; that therefore it should ever be his care, by every exertion and at every hazard, to re sist the arbitrary encroachments of the Crown and its Ministers, upon the rights of the citizens, and the liberties of the people.' " 'As an American, he declared it was his wish that the union between Great Britain and the Col onies might be re-established, and remain forever. FOURTH GENERATION 109 but that constitutional liberty must be the sacred bond of that union. He considered the attempts of the present administration against American liberty, as a plain prelude to the invasion of freedom in this country; but he trusted that the virtue of the Americans, aided by the friends of freedom here, would teach the tories of this day, as their ancestors had been happily taught, how vain a thing it is to at tempt wresting their liberties from a people deter- minded to defend them.' "Mr Lee was sworn in on the 14th of June, and af ter the meeting was over 'went in the state coach with the Lord Mayor to the Mansion House, where he was elegantly entertained by his Lordship, with a number of other guests.' " (From the LETTERS OF WILLIAM LEE, edited by W. C. Ford, 1891, 26-7.) Thus, the beginning of the Revolution found Mr. Lee holding the office of sheriff in London, yet bound by all ties of kindred and by his business interests to the cause of the Colonies. "His connections and opinions were well known in the city and to the government, and he, with his brother Arthur, were soon objects of suspicion to the ministry. It was not surprising, therefore, to find in the English Rec ords Office some letters from William to his brothers in Virginia that the administration had intercepted ; and the contents of these missives fully justified the suspicion of the ministry of his disloyalty, and arouse in us a feeling of surprise that the writer was not seized or his usefulness as an agent of America suppressed.'* In 1775, Alderman Lee accompanied the Lord 110 STRAI FORD AND THE LEES Mayor and othei.' city dignitaries to St James to present to the King "an humble address and peti tion," praying for the suspension of all "operation of force," etc. April 21st, 1777, Mr. Lee received notice of his appointment as commercial agent for the Continental Congress in France, subsequently, in September 1777, he was appointed to represent the Colonies at the Courts of Berlin and Vienna; to the latter city he went on a fruitless errand ; his brother Arthur going in his place to Berlin, was, likewise, unable to gain any substantial results from that Court. Later on, William Lee accepted the position of representative to The Hague where he was able to conclude a treaty with the Dutch, which exerted some moral influence, though not of practical value. It is claimed that Mr. Lee was one of the earliest originators of the move which finally secured the treaty of "armed neutrality," which was to protect the freedom of commerce against the exactions of England. This treaty was of considerable value to America, as it enabled them to secure supplies from friendly nations in Europe, and if Mr. Lee was in strumental in gaining this treaty he rendered his country a valuable service. He returned to America in 1784 and resided on his estate at Greenspring. The last years of his life were saddened by poor health and almost total blind ness. The following are extracts from one of his letters written December 10th, 1780, from Brussells: "The British ministry have certainly promised Gen. Clinton to send him in the spring a re-enforce ment of ten thousand men, including the recruits for FOURTH GENERATION 111 the German Corps now in America. Perhaps some may flatter you that the enemy will not be able to procure such a number to send ; but I request you not to deceive yourselves, and be inattentive to your true interests, by relying on such rumors, or the foreign aid that may be promised you from Europe; no people can be in safety that rely on another for protection. France is indeed very powerful, both by sea and land, and will, no doubt, act vigorously against the common enemy; but so many accidents and untoward circumstances have intervened to ren der abortive all the attempts they have hitherto made to assist us, that, in common sense and pru dence, you ought not to trust to aid what must come from Europe. If it does come, so much the better, as you may then finish the war at once ; but place your confidence in yourselves alone, and then you cannot be essentially hurt. "The Dutch have at last formally acceded, and so has the King of Prussia, to the treaty of armed neu trality, as proposed last spring by the Empress of Russia, and since entered into by Sweden and Den mark. The object of this great and powerful league is to support the freedom of general commerce and navigation against the unwarrantable pretensions of Great Britain; therefore she must now quietly per mit France and Spain to be supplied with naval stores for the support of their navy, or enter into war with this tremendous confederacy. It is, how ever, impossible for her to resist, which must finally give the superiority to France and Spain. I feel no little pleasure in communicating to you the comple tion, so far, of this confederacy, as the first traces were laid by myself two years ago; and if Congress 112 STRATFORD AND THE LEES had now in Europe ministers properly authorized to negotiate with those powers, it would not be dif ficult to obtain a general acknowledgement from them of the independence of America, which was my ultimate object in forming the outlines of this scheme. "The public news in England you will see in all the papers that go by this conveyance; so that I have only to recommend to you, in the most pressing man ner, a vigorous exertion, unanimity, and confidence in yourselves, which may, in all probability, end the war this year in your favor." William Lee's will was dated February 24th, 1789 ; two codicils were added at later dates ; it was probat ed at Richmond, on June 11th, 1796. William and Hannah Philippa (Ludwell) Lee had four children, two sons and two daughters. I — William Ludwell 5, born at London, January 23rd, 1775; died at "Greenspring" January 24th, 1803. He was buried in the old Jamestown Church yard, near his father. In his will he asked that he be buried there, saying: "I desire that my body be committed to the earth near the grave of my dear respected father in the church yard at Jamestown. The spot where I wish to be interred is designated by two pegs of Sycamore on the south side of the grave of my late father." He also desired that the lot be inclosed with a substantial brick wall five feet high and an iron gate. He bequeathed all his library, excepting the family Bible, to Bishop Madison; set all his slaves free and provided for them; gave five hundred bushels of corn per annum to William and Mary College; remainder of estate to his two sisters. FOURTH GENERATION 113 2. Portia 5, born in 1777; died February, 19th, 1840 ; married William Hodgson, formerly of White Haven, England, who died at Alexandria, November 7, 1820. They had eight children. 3. Brutus 5, born in November, 1778; died in June 1779. 4. Cornelia 5, was born at Brussels March 3rd, 1780; died in 1815; married October 16, 1806, John Hopkins, Esq., of Richmond. Arthur Lee. Arthur Lee 4, eleventh child of Thomas 3, (Rich ard 2, Richard 1), born at Stratford, Dec. 21, 1740; died at his home, "Lansdown," Middlesex County, Dec. 12, 1792. 114 STRATFORD AND THE LEES After a course of private tuition Arthur was sent to Eton, from thence to Edinburgh, where he studied "general science and polite literature," and, later, medicine. He obtained a diploma, approving him as a general scholar and conferring the degree of M. D. He was always fond of botanical studies, a subject frequently mentioned in his letters; for his thesis, upon graduation, he wrote on "Peruvian Bark," and obtained the prize given each year for the best thesis on a botanical topic. His essay was so much ap proved that it was "decreed" to be published under the direction and authority of the university. Before returning to Virginia Dr. Lee traveled through Holland and parts of Germany. Soon after his return he commenced the practice of medicine at Williamsburg, at that time the chief town of the State. Like many others, who find the study of medicine agreeable enough, but its practice very un satisfactory, he soon gave it up and turned his atten tion to law and politics, pursuits that suited his rest less, energetic disposition much better than medicine. Early in 1767 he returned to England in company with his brother William, the one to study law, the other to enter a mercantile life. Both soon interest ed themselves in the political question of the hour. These were in an agitated condition; many in Eng land were dissatisfied with the ministry in both its domestic and colonial policies. It was the endeavor of the Lees to unite this element of opposition in favor of the Colonies by a shrewd combination of colonial with domestic affairs. Mr. Lee was admitt ed to the bar in April 1775, and began the practice of law in London. In 1776 he left London for Paris FOURTH GENERATION 115 and other Continental cities to act as commissioner for the American Colonies. Previous to his depar ture he had been acting as agent in London for the Colonies of Massachusetts and Virginia. He had al so been instrumental, by means of a vast correspond ence, in bringing the American cause to the atten tion of many in England and on the Continent. By his letters to friends in America, he had been keeping them in touch with the trend of political events in England. Thus, on the one hand, he aroused public sympathy in Europe; on the other, he warned the Americans of their danger. It is not doubtful that he was able by this correspondence, to effect much for the cause of the Colonies. Few writers of that period wielded a more vigorous pen than Arthur Lee. In the spring of 1775, the Mayor, Alderman, and the Livery of London desired to present a petition to the King as a remonstrance against the measures of his ministry in their colonial policy; at their re quest. Dr. Lee wrote this remonstrance. A copy of it was also sent to the American Congress, who or dered a suitable reply to be made. Richard Henry Lee, as chairman of the committee, drafted this re ply. Neither of the brothers was aware of the part the other had acted in this matter until they met years after its occurrence. Besides the correspond ence, already alluded to. Dr. Lee published his "Mon itor's Letters," addressed to the people of the Colo nies, and an "Appeal to the English Nation," which was greatly admired and for some time attributed to Lord Chatham. Under the signature of "Junius Americanus," he published a series of letters. They were so bright, so able, that Junius wrote to Wilkes : 116 STRATFORD AND THE LEES "My American namesake is plainly a man of abili ties You may assure Dr. Lee that to MY heart and understanding the names of American and Eng lishman are synonymous ; and that as to any future taxation upon America, I look upon it as near to im possible as the highest improbability can go. "I HOPE, THAT SINCE HE HAD OPPOSED ME, WHERE HE THINKS ME WRONG, HE WILL BE EQUALLY READY TO ASSIST ME, WHERE HE THINKS ME RIGHT." Before his death. Dr. Lee had commenced a me moir of the Revolution, but did not live to complete it. Much of the part he did write has been lost, a fragment only being preserved. Some extracts from this will give a better idea of him and of his work than anything from the pen of another. "It is to aid in placing the history of the American Revolution in its true light, that the following memoirs are writ ten. The author of them was concerned in its events from its commencement to its conclusion. He was employed generally in the highest stations, and in the most secret and confidential transactions. He always preserved the original papers and letters, on which he founded the journal from which the follow ing memoirs are extracte'd. He is therefore sure of their authenticity, as well of his determination, NE QUID FALIS DICERE; NE QUID ACRE NAR- RARE. "The writer of these memoirs was in London when the repeal of the stamp-act was agitated in both houses of parliament. He heard Mr. Pitt and Lord FOURTH GENERATION 117 Camden deliver their celebrated speeches on this question, which would have immortahzed them as orators and statesmen. Though the obnoxious act was repealed, yet he was persuaded that the spirit which dictated it and was still resting near the throne was not changed. With this impression he turned to Virginia. "It was not long before my impressions were real ized, by the passage of an act of the British Parlia ment for imposing duties on tea, paper, glass, etc., exported to the colonies. This was changing the mode but preserving the principle of the stamp-act. This was soon and ably pointed out in some period ical letters, under the signature of a 'Pennsylvania Farmer.' These letters were written in a popular style, were universally read and as universally ad mired. "I endeavored to aid their operation in alarming and informing my countrymen by a series of letters under the signature of 'Monitor.' In the course of a few months it was manifest that the people of this continent were not, disposed to be finessed out of their liberties, and as I knew the British cabinet was determined to enforce rather than abandon the usur pation, I was persuaded that a very serious contest was approaching. To prepare for that was the next object in my mind. The most effectual way to ac complish this, it seemed to me, was to form a cor respondence with the leading patriotic men in each colony. I wrote myself to London, where the ac quaintance I had would enable me to obtain speedy and accurate information of the real designs of the British ministry, which being communicated to lead- 118 STRATFORD AND THE LEES ing men in the several Colonies, might enable them to harmonize in one system of opposition, since on this harmony the success of their opposition would depend. In pursuance of this plan I went to Mary land, • to Philadelphia, and New. York. The men I had in contemplation were Mr. Daniel Dulany, who had written some able pieces, stjded 'Considerations on the Stamp-Act:' Mr. John Dickinson, who was the author of the celebrated 'Farmer's Letters,' and the leader of the Livingston party in New York, who is at present the Governor of New Jersey. "I found Mr. Dulany so cold and distant that it seemed in vain to attempt anything with him. Mr. Dickinson received me with friendship, and the con templated correspondence took place. Mr. Livings ton, of New York, was absent from the city in the country, lamenting the death of a child, so that I did not see him. The time I was to sail for England now approached ; I could not therefore proceed furth er eastward. Embarking with one of my brothers, we arrived safely in London. "The proceedings agair^p^. Mr. Wilkes at this time agitated the nation. Mr. Wilkes was the idol of the people and the abhorrence of the king. All the pow er of prerogative, all the influence of the crown, and every practicable perversion of law, were employed to subdue him. Of courage, calm and intrepid, of a flowing wit, accommodating in his temper, of man ner convivial and conversible, an elegant scholar, and well read in constitutional law, he stood the Atlas of popular opposition. Such was the man against whom the whole powers of the crown were muster ing their rage ; and whom, to use the words of Juni- FOURTH GENERATION 119 us, 'the rays of royal indignation collected upon him served only to illuminate, but could not consume.' Mr, Wilkes was then confined in the King's Bench, as the printer and publisher of the 'Essay on Woman.' The city of London was the stronghold of popular op position, and the Society of the Bill of Rights the most active in conducting it. This society consist ed of real or pretended personal friends of Mr. Wil kes; but some insinuated themselves with very dif ferent views. "Having taken this view of the political condi tion of England, I formed the plan of connecting my self with the opposition; and the grievances of America with those of England. For this purpose I became a member of the Bill of Rights, and purchas ed the freedom and livery of the city of London. By these means I acquired a voice and influence in all the measures of that society, and in the proceedings and elections of the city. An acquaintance with Mr. Wilkes soon grew into intimacy and confidence. The arbitrary views of the crown originated in the same spirit on both sides of the Atlantic. To sensible men, therefore, the combining of the complaints of the people of America and England appeared just and politic. I procured the introduction of the griev ances of America into the famous Middlesex Peti tion; and to keep them alive in the popular mind I commenced and continued a periodical paper, under the signature of Junius Americanus. My brother established himself in London, was elected an alder man and one of the sheriffs. Our footing was now strong, and the American cause was firmly united with that of England. During these transactions 120 STRATFORD AND THE LEES I studied law in Lincoln's Inn and the Middle Temple, and being called to the bar, practiced in the King's bench and on the home circuit. This situation in creased my opportunities of serving my country. . . , "Of the disposition and intention of the adminis tration I kept my correspondents in America con stantly informed, with this constant opinion, that they must prepare to maintain their liberties at all hazards. My conduct in England had reached Amer ica in so favorable a light that the house of Repre sentatives in Massachusetts elected me their agent, in case of the absence or death of Dr. Franklin. At that time I was not personally known to any member of the house .... "My political progress had made me acquainted with many of the leaders of all parts of the opposi tion, such as Lord Shelburne, Mr. Beckford, Lord Temple, Mr. Dunning, Sergeant Glynn, Col. Barre, Mr. Wilkes, the Alderman Sawbridge, Townsend, and Oliver. It was by constantly comparing the different ideas of those gentlemen with one another, and with the plans and proceedings of the ministers, that I was able to form a pretty accurate judgment, both of the real intentions of the latter and how far America was warranted in relying on the support of the former. These were the two principle objects of my pursuit. The dearest rights and interests of my immediate country were at hazard. It would not have been wise to have trusted these to the mere is sues of political intrigues and party opposition for place and preferment. Some, however, of the above leaders appeared to me hearty in the cause of Ameri ca, as well as of England. Their advocation of lib- FOURTH GENERATION 121 erty was general. Among these the most illustrious was the Earl of Shelburne. Him had I long known, long studied, and found his conduct uniform and un impeachable. But the private life of this nobleman was no less the subject of my esteem and admira tion." In November of 1775 Congress appointed a com mittee to secretly correspond with the friends of America in Great Britain "and other parts of the world." The Committee chose Dr. Lee their secret agent in London; this letter from them was copied from the original MSS. "Philadelphia, December 12th, 1775. Sir: By this conveyance we have the pleasure of transmit ting to you sundry printed papers, that such of them as you think proper may be immediately published in England It would be agreeable to Congress to know the disposition of foreign powers towards us, and we hope this object will engage your attention. We need not hint that great circumspection and im penetrable secrecy are necessary. The Congress re ly on your zeal and ability to serve them, and will readily compensate you for whatever trouble and ex pense a compliance with their desire may occasion. We remit you for the present 200 pounds. When ever you think the importance of your dispatches may require it, we desire you to send an express boat with them from England, for which service your agreement with the owner there shall be fulfilled by us here." In the winter of 1776, Dr. Lee went to Paris, in pursuance of this commission ; and at various times 122 STRATFORD AND THE LEES thereafter he visited other capitals on the same er rand—seeking supplies and making friends for the Colonies. He wrote his brother, R. H. Lee, in 1777 : "I have within this year been at the several courts of Spain, Vienna, and Berlin, and have found this of France is the great wheel that moves them all." It was in February, 1777, that Dr. Lee was elected as the commissioner from Congress to proceed to Mad rid and endeavor to interest the Spanish court in the struggle between England and the Colonies. As soon as the British ministry heard of his appoint ment they instructed their minister at Madrid to protest against his reception. In consequence. Dr. Lee stopped at Burgos, by an order nOt to proceed further. He returned so spirited a protest that the Spanish government finally allowed him to proceed to Madrid ; once there, he exerted himself with great zeal to infiuence that court, but with no definite re sult. The Spanish, being afraid to provoke the Eng lish ministry, were plentiful in promises and assur ances of the good-will of the king and people. Final ly Dr. Lee was granted permission to make contracts with any merchants, etc., for arms and amunition: and the Spanish ambassador at Paris was instructed to keep up a friendly intercourse with the American commissioners at that capital. From this inter course they finally obtained a large loan. William Lee, his brother, then stationed at The Hague, was selected by Congress to act as their agent at Berlin. When this appointment was receiv ed at Paris, the commissioners there decided that William should remain in Holland, as his services there were too valuable to make it advisable for him FOURTH GENERATION 123 to go to Berlin. Consequently, they decided that Dr. Lee should take his commission, and proceed to Ber lin in his place. This he did, but he found the dif ficulties in the way for accomplishing any good for America were very great, as Frederick the Great was under treaty obligations to England, and was not bound in any way to America. The objects of his mission were to establish communication be tween Prussia and America; to prevent any further raising of German auxiliaries for the English army, and to gain permission to purchase supplies. In these designs Dr. Lee succeeded partially ; Frederick refused to receive him officially, and thus recognize the United States, but he authorized his minister to conduct a secret correspondence with him. While residing at Berlin someone stole his private papers from his room at the hotel; Dr. Lee immediately complained to the King. An answer was returned by the King that the police would investigate the af fair, which resulted in the prompt return of the papers. At the request of Frederick, the English government recalled their envoy, it being proved that he was concerned in the theft of the papers. Dr. Lee continued to correspond with Baron Schu- lenberg, the Prussian minister, after his return to Paris. In one letter Schulenberg wrote : " . . . . The events of this wair become every day more interesting. I again pray you to communicate to me regularly all the news you may receive. The King seems much interested in it. His Majesty wishes that your efforts may be crowned with suc cess, and as I told you in mine of the 13th of De cember, he v/ill not hesitate to acknowledge your in- 124 STRATFORD AND THE LEES dependency as soon as France, which is more im mediately interested in the issue of the contest, shall set the example." Shortly after the news of the surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga, was received, the French court began negotiations for signing a treaty with America ; in these negotiations Dr. Lee took a prom inent part, and was one of the signers of that treaty on the part of America, That General Washington esteemed Dr. Lee, and valued his communications, is evident from this note to him: "Newburg, April 15th, 1782. Dear Sir,— I have received your favor of the 2d, and thank you for the several articles of European intelligence contained in it. Permit me to solicit a continuation of such ad vises as you may think interesting respecting the military and political manoeuvers of foreign powers. Such communications will not only be a private gratification, but may produce public good ; as a per fect knowledge of these matters will enable me to de cide with more certainty and precision on doubtful operations, which may be had in contemplation, than I could possibly do without. With great esteem and regard, I am, my dear sir, your most obedient, hum ble servant." Whatever coolness may have existed between Arthur Lee and the court of Versailles, it did not prevent the King from paying him a very handsome compliment, which he explained in this letter to the President of Congress: FOURTH GENERATION 125 "Mr. President, 1 return to you, in consequence of the resolution with which I engaged in this cause, to see the liberty of my country established, or to perish in her last struggle. "When I took leave of the court of Versailles as one of your former commissioners, his excellency the Count de Vergennes, presented me with a gold en amelled snuff-box, containing the picture of the King of France, set with diamonds. The minister accom panied it with the assurance that he delivered it to me as a mark of the esteem of his sovereign. In my opinion no period ever produced a prince whose es teem was more valuable. His portrait is engraven on my mind by the virtue and justice which form his character; and gold and jewels can add nothing to its luster. "This testimony of his majesty's esteem, however flattering to me, I received with the resolution of holding it at your disposal only. I therefore now beg leave, agreeably to what I think my duty, to deposit it with Congress : for I esteem it of dangerous con sequence, that any republican should receive pres ents from a foreign prince or retain them without the knowledge and consent of the republic. Still more dangerous and unbecoming is it to measure the merits of those employed in the public service by them, or to make their characters depend on com plimentary letters and praises from the followers of the court where they have resided. It is the most sure of all possible methods, to make them subservi ent where they ought to be independent, and lead them to substitute intrigue in the place of a due dis charge of their duty, or sacrifice the interests of 126 STRATFORD AND THE LEES their country to the inclinations of a foreign minis ter. If they do their duty to their country, their constituents ought best to know it; and the reward they are pleased to bestow upon them, is the sole and sufficient recompense becoming the dignity of a free citizen to possess." In reply this report was made : "In the Continen tal Congress : The committee to whom was referred the letter of Arthur Lee, Esq., etc., submitted th* following report: Arthur Lee having deposited with the President of Congress a picture of the King of France, set with diamonds, and presented by the minister of that monarch on his taking leave of the court of Versailles as a mark of his majesty's es teem ; and having intimated that as the picture was presented to him in consequence of his having been a commissioner of Congress at that court, it did not become him to retain the same without the express approbation of Congress: "Resolved, That he be informed that Congress ap proves of his retaining the picture. "Resolved, That Mr. Lee be further informed, in answer to his letter, that there is no particular charge against him before Congress properly sup ported ; and that he be assured his recall was not in tended to affix any kind of censure on his character, or his conduct abroad." As a further mark of their confidence. Congress requested Dr. Lee to give them the benefit of his knowledge of any views upon foreign affairs. He FOURTH GENERATION 127 rendered a strict and satisfactory account of all the funds expended by him. After his return to Virginia, Dr. Lee was elected a deputy from Prince William to the Virginia Assem bly, and later, by the Assembly, to the general Con gress. He was one of the signers of the treaty for the cession of the northwestern territory by Vir ginia to the general government. In 1784 he was appointed by Congress one of the commissioners to make a treaty with the Indians on the northwestern frontier; Lafayette accompanied this expedition. On their return Dr. Lee was appointed to the "board of treasury," with Samuel Osgood and Walter Livings ton, in which position he Continued from 1784 to 1789. In 1786 he was chosen one of the commission ers to revise the laws of Virginia. From the board of treasury he retired to private life, and lived upon his estate in Middlesex County. During the years spent in this retreat he carried on a very extensive correspondence with many of the prominent persons to whom his official career had made him known. A writer has said: "The career of Arthur Lee, though undistinguished by any connection with the great and prominent events, such as catch the public eye, was one of the most important and useful to his country, which the history of that day records. At a time when the new born republic was struggl ing for existence, and carrying on a war against a powerful country with which the nations of Europe were at peace, and to which they were bound by treaties, he represented his country with a zeal and efficiency which accomplished the greatest and most valuable results. His mind seems to have burned 128 STRATFORD AND THE LEES with a restless ardor, and he never rested in his at tempts to conciliate the courts of Europe in favor of America, and to induce them to furnish her with material aid." As a mark of their approbation for his services as their agent abroad, the states of Massachusetts and Virginia both granted him large tracts of land. Har vard College conferred upon him the honorary de gree of LL.D. ; the Academy of American Arts and Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society elected him an honorary member. While upon the expedition to the western Indians, already mentioned, Dr. Lee penned these thoughts, which are very interesting: "Being this day indisposed, and obliged to keep my room, I could not avoid meditating upon my fu ture prospects. Should I settle and remain among my friends in Virginia ; should I retire to Kentucky ; or return to England, and enjoy in retirement there all that a great country in arts and sciences affords. I entered life glowing with sentiments of liberty and virtue. The seeds of the American Revolution were then sowing, in the acts of Parliament for imposing taxes on the Colonies. I embraced the opposition with a double degree of enthusiasm, which the love of liberty and my country inspired. I devoted my self to the cause from its very infancy. From that time my life has been a continued scene of agitation and commotion. No calm, no repose has refreshed me. To live in Virginia without a wife is hardly practicable. But in Virginia boys and girls only marry, and they marry from almost every motive but love. A man at thirty, a woman at twenty, is FOURTH GENERATION 129 old in Virginia ; and with my sentiments of love and marriage I am not likely to find a wife, there "Shall I retire to Kentucky, and try my fortune in a younger country and a rising region? The soil and climate are fine. I have lands there, which would become very valuable by residence; and it would be easy, with a little money, to acquire a prin cely territorial property. Ambition and avarice seem therefore to join in their invitation. But after the scenes through which I have passed such an am bition seems LOW, and the avarice, without an in centive. For whom should I sacrifice present enjoy ment to secure a future fortune? He who pursues ambition in that country must expect no repose. He must first agitate its SEPARATION and INDEPEN DENCE, then control the various turbulent spirits which are gathered there from different States: he must court those whose lives and manners are little removed from those of savages. He must be in per petual action, as nothing else can promote his pur poses, or even prevent him from repining at the loss of everything that can engage the cultivated mind or gratify the senses. He must submit to the wretched accommodations which an almost savage country can afford; and not only be content without luxuries, but even without the necessaries of life. What is there then that can tempt a sober man, in my situation, to Kentucky? "A single man, intent upon gratifying his taste, might accomplish this purpose with great certainty, and at a moderate expense, in London. Secure of 600 pounds a year, he might live in style perfectly genteel, and see and hear every thing worth seeing 130 STRATFORD AND THE LEES and hearing. But then he must live for himself only. He must forget that he has relations in another land, near and dear, whom he has sacrificed forever. All the charities of blood and country must be forgotten. His hours of retirement must be sad and solitary. Should ill-health overtake him, he must not only cut off from the enjoyment he promised himself, but he must expect no tender hand to soothe his pillow, no sympathising soul to mitigate with nameless gentle offices the anguish of disease, and minister to the troubled and desponding mind. And why indeed should he, who lives for himself only, expect that society will feel for him, or furnish him with aid or solace, beyond the influence of his money? "Those, too, with whom I was immediately con nected in friendship and politics, when a fellow-sub ject, would regard me now with cold indifference, if not with aversion. Many would consider me as hav ing contributed to wound and dishonor that country which is the dearest object to every good English man. Could I be restored to the situation that I en joyed before the Revolution, unless the tumult of political commotion may have unparadised it, I might be happy. That is, as happy as man without domestic cares, domestic anxiety, and domestic love, could be. I was placed in chambers in the Temple, which looked into a delightful little garden on the Thames, of which I had the key; I could go in and out at all hours, and have what company I pleased, without being questioned or overlooked. I was near the Royal Society, of which I was a fellow, where, every week, whatever was new and ingenious in lit erature was communicated. Not far from me was FOURTH GENERATION 131 the hall of the Society of Arts and Agriculture, of which I was an honorary member, and where I had access to all the new discoveries in arts, agriculture, and mechanics. "The play houses and the opera were equally con venient, where I could select the opportunity of see ing the best tragedies and comedies represented, and of hearing the most exquisite music. I was a sub scriber to Bach's and Abel's concert, where the most masterly performers of the world (Bach, Abel, Fish- ar, Tassot, Ponto, and Crosdal,) played to a most polite and fashionable audience, in one of the most elegant concert rooms in the world. In the field of politics, from the politician in the cider-cellar to the peer in his palace, I had access and influence. At the Bill of Rights, the city of London, the East India House, and with the opposition in both houses, I was of some consideration. Among my particular friends, to whom I always had access, were Lord Shelburne, Mr. Downing, Col. Barre. Mr. Wilkes, Sergeant Glynn, and several others. I was so well with several of the nobility and gentry that I could spend all my leisure time a;t their country seats. At Bath I had a very extensive acquaintance ; and there is not in the world a more agreeable place to one so circumstanced. As one of the law, I enjoyed the pro tection and distinction of that body, with the pros pect of rising to place and profit, which all of that body, who have moderate abilities, enjoy. So cir cumstanced, nothing but the peculiar and extraor dinary crisis of the times prevented me from being entirely happy, and pursuing the fortune which sat with golden plumes within my reach. 132 STRATFORD AND THE LEES But everything was absorbed in the great contest which I saw fast approaching ; and which soon called upon me to quit London, and take an open part in the Revolution, as a representative of the United States at the Court of France," Henry Lee. Henry Lee 4, third child of Henry 3, (Richard 2, Richard 1,) born at "Lee Hall" Westmoreland Coun ty, in 1729, settled at "Leesylvania" in Prince Wil liam County. He was a Justice of the Peace in that county and represented it as burgess in 1758-61-62- 63-64-69-72. In the Convention of 1774-75-76, and in the State Senate in 1780. He served as County Lieutanant for Prince William County during the Revolutionary War, and was attorney for the county. Mr. Grigsby, in his discourse on "The Virginia Convention of 1776," said: "Henry Lee, of Prince William, was an old member of the House of Bur gesses, of all the Conventions, of the Declaratory Committee, and of the General Assembly. His standing was the first, before and after the Revolu tion." The following are some extracts of letters written by him which will show the interest he took in the great struggle for independence. "Leesylvania, April 1st, 1775 1 have just returned from our Convention at Richmond Town on the James River, where 118 Delegates of the People met and unanimously approved of the Proceedings of the General Congress, and thanked their Dele- FOURTH GENERATION 133 gates. The same Delegates were appointed to rep resent this Colony in the Continental Congress on the 10th of May next at Philadelphia. Our Militia of Independents are ordered by the Convention to be armed and well disciplined, and a great spirit of Liberty actuates every Individual. The Dutch sup ply us plentifully with arms and ammunition, and several large importations of oznabugs we have al ready had, so that we shall soon have a plenty of coarse linens from Holland. Your Brother, the Doc tor's Conduct and Letters to the Speaker, etc. are highly appreciated, and I make no doubt of his being appointed our Agent when the Assembly meets." To Wm. Lee; London. Under date of May 15th, 1775, he wrote to the same party : "I humbly think your business here is really illy conducted, and you must have an active agent here of influence, who has weight with the Planters, and will exert himself should the tobacco trade be ever again revived; the present prospect being very un abiding, for the people in the country have already taken up arms and have compelled Lord Dunmore to pay 350 pounds sterling for a quantity of powder that he privately in the night removed out of the maga zine on board the Foye, Capt. Montague. Ten thous and rifle men are now well trained and are ready to take the field at an hour's warning. The die is now cast, and a blow having been struck near Boston, in which rencounter the King's troops were beaten with the loss of 150 men, besides many wounded, and the country people only lost 40 men. The inhabitants 134 STRATFORD AND THE LEES have all left Boston, and that place is now surround ed by 20,000 Provincials and 10,000 Connecticut troops are marched to the assistance of New York; also 1,500 rifle men from Fredk. County in Maryland, imder Col. Cressip, Jr. (?) to prevent any troops landing. This is the news of the day." To Charles Lee, Esqr., in Philadelphia : "Leesylvania, September 8th, 1779. Dear Charles : I received your agreeable letter by post, but with out date; the best way is dating letters at the top, for fear of omitting in the hurry of conclusion. Your brother's enterprise does him signal honour, and I flatter myself it will not be in the power of his enemies to pluck from him those laurels they can not acquire, and on his conduct being inquired into, his military fame will be raised. I agree with you that the surprise at Paulus Hook casts a shade on Stony Point ; the enclosed letter to him, pray contrive safely. Vessels are daily arriving here and Gen'l Mercer is hourly expected. I saw your letter to Col. Blackburn, and wish the war may be carried on without the aid of money press, but borrowing, I fear from the spirit of mo nopoly and avidity for gain, will not be sufficient to supply the call for the sums necessary for the great expenditures of the Army. The other States ought to follow our example by a specific tax of grain to supply the Army with provisions. To William Lee, in London : FOURTH GENERATION 135 "Leesylvania, March 1st, 1775. Dear Sir: I have the melancholy news to inform you of your brother. Col. Phil's death, who died at Stratford of a nervous pleurisy on the 21st of last month and has left Mrs. Lee, his widow very big with child ; in him Virginia has lost an able Judge and America a truly great patriot ; this vacancy I hope you will use your utmost efforts to fill up in Council with your Brother Thomas, of France, as the former will inherit all your brother's real estate in Westmoreland, by your father's will, unless Mrs. Lee's child should be a son. I could wish the Honor of the family to be fixed at Stratford, as to your brother. Col. Richard Henry, I would by no means have him out of the House of Burgesesses, as there is at present the greatest reas on to expect he will succeed Mr. Randolph as Speaker, who is old and infirm. I expect before this my Bill in favor of Duncan Campbell has been pre sented and duly honoured for 24 pounds sterling and that the James, Capt. Robertson has safely landed my two Hhds. of Toba. : and of course, to a good market, as no Toba. will after this Crop be Exported unless American Grievances are redressed as are pointed out by the General Congress. "We are making large quantities of Salt Peter from the Nitre in the Tobacco Putrified and have made some very strong well grained powder in this county, therefrom, which ketches quick and shoots with great force, so that we shall be able in future to supply ourselves with Salt Peter and gun powder without importing any. Wool cards we are making in great quantities and nails will be soon made as mills are erecting thro' every Province 136 STRATFORD AND THE LEES on the Continent. The gentlemen are training them selves thro' the Continent every week and have raised companys who muster two days every week and emulate to excell each other in ye manual ma noeuvers and evolutions as practiced by the King of Prussia's Troops, for we are determined on preserv ing our libertys if necessary at the expense of our blood, being resolved not to survive slavery. You may rely on it that the Continental Association will be most sacred kept as the county committee will not suffer the least breach to pass unnoticed, and are very watchful. Pray present our most aff't compl'ts to Mrs. Lee." Henry Lee to "Charles Lee, Esqr., Student of Law in Philadelphia." Dated, Wm'b'g. June 12th, 1779. My Dear Charles: I received yours of the 1st, June, by post and sev eral others, since being on the Assembly, and have regularly by every post from this wrote you the news, and particular occurences from this quarter and as far as accounts from Lincoln's Army, circulat ed from the report or lie of the day, my I't'r by the last post, I yet hope you will receive. In that I gave you a particular account of an action reported with the circumstances of undoubted belief to be given to the credibility of the fact, which a few days ago was further confirmed by two Frenchmen, who left Charlestown, the 11th, May, who said they were there at the time Provost Army attempted to take the city by storm, and that 650 of the enemy were killed on the spot and their whole Army routed, which I now believe to be a cursed lie, for there is come to this city a deserter from the enemy who FOURTH GENERATION 137 left Charlestown on the 16th, and says no action had then happened, but that it was more than probable, without aid to effect their escape by their shipping, which were not arrived when he left the Army. They must fall as Burgoyne did : for that the town was too well fortified and the garrison two strong for thpir force, which only consisted of 2,000 regulars and about the same number of Tories and Indians. That General Moultree who had entered the town with about 2,500 and General Williamson with about the same number were on their front and flank and Gen eral Lincoln within eight miles in their rear with his main Army. That our whole force collected was about 8,000 and the enemy had taken shelter in St. James Island and burnt some houses and it would be difficult for our Army to get at them, that they were short of provisions and if could not soon be re lieved from their shipping they would be obliged to surrender or starve. This is nearly the purport of his examination before the Governor, though many give no credit to his account and still believe the Frenchmen's story. The truth is, I believe, they had some small skirmishing and we got the better. I wrote you fully in my two last of the predatory and cruel behaviour of the late invaders of this State, which if you have not received, let suffice that they far surpassed the brutal lust the goat or in ferocity, the wild boar, in barbarity the savages or the van dals. Tell your brother I will take notice of his re quest in two Itrs, I have received from him and on my return, write him fully as to the state of his mares, etc., and as soon as I get home, shall endeavor to contrive you a remittance. The expenses of your Phfladelphia studies, when you had taken my advice. 138 STRATFORD AND THE LEES might in a great measure been saved, had you ap plied your hours wasted in idle pursuits of dissipa tion to Cook, Blackstone, etc., having had a general knowledge of the system of law tracts. Possessing the fundamental principles, you might have been now employed in reading the reports and applying the practical cases and digesting the reasoning of the pleaders, and Judges on the applied maxims ; my this year will be near 2,000 pounds sterling. I shall be always happy to hear from you and of your ap plication and frugality, which is commendable at all times . Henry Lee's will was dated August 10th, 1787, and probated in Prince William County, October 1st, 1787. Henry Lee married Lucy Grymes, to whom tradi tion has given the name of the "Lowland Beauty," and claimed that General Washington was once a suitor for her hand. Henry and Lucy (Grymes) Lee had eight children. I — Henry 5. See page 146. II — Charles 5. See page 168. Ill — Richard Bland 5. See page 172. IV — Theodorick 5. See page 174. V — Edmund Jennings 5. See page 176. VI — Lucy 5, born 1774, died unmarried. VII — Mary 5, born , died , married about 1792, Philip Richard Fendall, of Alexandria. Mr. Fendall had previously married the widow of Philip Ludwell Lee, of Startford. She died about 1790. VIII— Anne 5, born 1776, died August 1857, mar ried 1793, Wm. Byrd Page, of "Fairfield," Clarke County. FIFTH GENERATION. Thomas Ludwell Lee. THOMAS Ludwell 5, first son of Thomas Ludwell 4, (Thomas 3, Richard 2, Richard 1), born died in 1807, married Fanny, daughter of Robert W. Carter, of "Sabine Hall," Richmond County. He re sided at "Coton," near Leesburg in Loudoun County. Thomas Ludwell and Fanny (Carter) Lee had eight children. I — Thomas Ludwell 6, who died in infancy. II — Elizabeth 6, married her cousin, St. Ledger Landon Carter, and left no children. HI — Mary Aylett 6, married Tench Ringgold, and had issue, among them a daughter from whom the Hon. Edw. D. White, former U. S. Senator, from La., and present Chief Justice of the U. S.. Supreme Court is descended. IV — ^Winifred Beale 6, married William Brent, Jr. of "Richland," Stafford County. V — Fanny Carter 6, died unmarried. VI — Ann Lucinda 6, married John M. McCarty, of "Cedar Grove," Fairfax County. VII — Catherine 6, died unmarried. VIII — Sydner 6, probably a daughter and died unmarried. George Lee. George 5„ third child of Thomas Ludwell Lee 4, (Thomas 3, Richard 2, Richard 1,) married Evelyn (139) 140 STRATFORD AND THE LEES Byrd, daughter of Robert Beverly, of "Wakefield," in Culpeper County, died at "Farmwell," Loudoun County, probably in June, 1805. George and Evelyn Byrd (Beverly) Lee had: I — Maria Carter 6, no record. II — George 6. See page 190. Thomas Lee. Thomas 5, first son of Richard Henry Lee 4, (Thos. 3, Richard 2, Ribhard 1), born at "Chantilly," West moreland County, October 20, 1758. Studied in England and was there in 1776. He lived at "Park Gate," in Prince William County, where he farmed and practiced law. Was twice married, first in 1788 to Mildred, daugh ter of John Augustin and Hannah (Bushrod) Wash ington. General Washington, in writing to Sir Isaac Heard, of the Herald's Office, London, of his family said ; "John Augustin Washington, son of Augustin and Mary (Ball) Washington, married Hannah Bushrod, and had, Bushrod, Corbin, and Mildred; Corbin married a daughter of the Honorable Richard Henry Lee ; Mildred married Thomas Lee, son of the said R. H. Lee." His second marriage was to Eliza Ashton Brent, by this union he had two children, but only one survived. I — Eleanor 6, born August 13, 1783 ; died Novem ber 1807, married Girard Alexander, of "Effing ham," Prince William County, and left one son, Thos. Ludwell Alexander, a Colonel in the United States Army. FIFTH GENERATION 141 Ludwell Lee. Ludwell 5, second son of Richard Henry Lee 4, (Thos. 3, Richard 2, Richard 1), born at "Chantil ly," October 13, 1760, died at his home "Belmont," Loudoun County, March 23, 1836. He was educated in England and France. His son, R. H. Lee, has given this anecdote of Lud well, from whom he heard it: "A son of Lee was at the time of the Declaration of Independence at school in St. Bees, in England . . One day, as this youth was standing near one of the professors of the academy, who was conversing with a gentleman of the neighboring county, he heard the question asked, 'What boy is this ?' to which the professor answered, 'He is a son of Richard Henry Lee, of America.' The gentleman, upon hearing this, put his hand upon his head and said, 'We shall yet see your father's head upon "Tower Hill," ' to which the boy answered, 'You may have it when you can get it!'" Under the date of June 30th, 1777, R. H. Lee wrote to his brother Arthur : " I have writ ten by this opportunity to our brother William, sup posing him to be in France. I told him that the times prevent me from making remittance, and therefore that my sons must be sent to me by the first good opportunity, if he cannot continue to ad vance for their frugal maintenance in France a small time longer. I wish Ludwell to go deep into the study of Natur al and Civil Law and Eloquence, as well as to obtain the military improvement you put him on, my desire being that he may be able to turn either to the law 142 STRATFORD AND THE LEES or the sword here, as his genius or his interest and service of his country might point out. I want Tom to possess himself of the knowledge of business, either in Mr. Schweighauser's counting house or under his uncle, if he should go into business that may be intrusted to his care. But all or any part of this plan depends, I apprehend, entirely on their uncle William. Should any unhappy accident have befallen him and thereby prevented him from coming to France, I must rely on you to direct them to be sent over to me by the first opportunity." Southern Literary Messenger Vol 28, No. 6-429 After his death this sketch was published in the Leesburg paper, by Mr. R. H. Henderson, of that place : "Departed this life, on the night of Wednesday the 23d ult., at his residence in this county, Ludwell Lee, Esq., in the 76th year of his age. Mr. Lee, the oldest son of the illustrious orator, statesman, and patriot, Richard Henry Lee, rose in manhood during the memorable struggle in which his father won an undying fame. True to the principles and spirit of that father, the subject of the passing notice fiew from the shades of the Academy to the standard of his country ; and, as one of the military family of the heroic and generous, Lafayette followed it and crowned it with glorious peace. Mr. Lee engaged in the profession of the law, but, blessed with an ample fortune, he withdrew from it at an early period, yet not until he had exhibited to his friends and his country those powers and attainments which would, under different circumstances, have rendered him one of its brightest ornaments. FIFTH GENERATION 143 "He was a distinguished member of the Virginia Legislature, and presided over the deliberations of the Senate with approved ability, dignity, and cour tesy in the palmiest days of this once renowned com monwealth. But the strife and tumult of the politi cal arena were as distasteful to him as were those of the bar. His character was essentially gentle, tranquil, and benevolent ; and although he died, as he had lived, an unwavering disciple of our own Wash ington, the suavity of his manners always kept pace with the rectitude and firmness of his purpose. In the walks of private life, amid the social circle, at the sacred family hearth, Ludwell Lee shone with a mild and constant lustre: — here he displayed learn ing without ostentation; wit without one solitary tincture of unkindness ; affection which soothed and gladdened all around him. Not unscathed by sor row in the evening of his life, he sought solace and support from Him who never forsake those who cleave to Him in sincerity and humility. In a word, to the good man and the gentleman he added that better character which makes worldly merit less than dust in the balance. He breathed out his spirit, at last, without a groan; and has gone to rejoin in the realms of ceasless peace and bliss that Lafay ette, under whose chivalrous eye he drew his youth ful sword, and who came, after so many chances and changes, to embrace him again in the classic retire ment of Belmont. His life happUy illustrates the sublime truth, "The Christian is the highest type of man." He was a Christian in all the truth, in all the purity, in all the meekness, in all the Catholic love and charity of that endearing name. "The places that knew him shall know him no 144 STRATFORD AND THE LEES more; he has gone where the approving smiles of his Heavenly Father shall succeed to the tears and sighs of his beloved children." An old colored man, probably once a servant of Ludwell Lee's, recently told, in the graphic language of his race, of the visit of Lafayette, to Loudoun ; of how the mansions of Belmont and Coton were decor ated, of the double line of lanterns which connected the two houses, that guests might readily pass from one to the other, either one of the mansions being too small to contain "all the country" that were bidden to meet the gallant Frenchman. Ludwell Lee was twice married; first about Jan uary 23rd, 1788, to his first cousin. Flora, daughter of Phillip Ludwell, and Elizabeth (Steptoe) Lee, of Stratford, by whom he had three children. He was married, secondly, in 1797, to Elizabeth, daughter of Bowles, and Mary (Fontaine) Armistead, by whom he had six children. He resided first at "Shooter's Hill," near Alexan dria, and later at "Belmont," near Leesburg. His first wife died and was buried at "Shooter's Hill," her tomb was to be seen there prior to the late Civil War. He was buried at Belmont. By his first wife. Flora (Lee) Lee, he had three children. I — Richard Henry 6. See page 292. II — Cecilia 6, born 1720, married James L. Mc- Kenna and left no issue. Ill— Eliza Matilda 6, born September 13, 1791, died January 22, 1875, married, 1811, Richard H. Love, of Fairfax County and left issue. By his second wife, Elizabeth (Armistead) Lee, he had six children. FIFTH GENERATION 145 IV — Mary Ann 6, born April 8, 1789, married Gen. Robert B. Campbell, of South Carolina. V— Ellen McMacken 6, born April 15, 1802, mar ried first Thomas Bedford, of Kentucky and had one child. In 1844 married the Rev. Nathaniel Phippen Knapp and had two children. VI— Elizabeth Armistead 6, born March 23, 1804, married Wilson Gary Selden, of Exeter, near Lees burg, Va. Died at Berlin, Worcester County, Md., May 23, 1887. VII^Emily 6, died unmarried, 1875. VIII — Francis Lightfoot 6, married a Miss Rogers, of South Carolina, left no issue. IX — Bowles Armistead 6, died unmarried. Prob ably entered West Point in 1828. Francis Lightfoot. Francis Lightfoot 5, ninth child of Richard Henry 4, (Thomas 3, Richard 2, Richard 1), born at Chan tilly, June 18, 1782, graduated from Harvard an A. B. in 1802, and in 1806 received his A. M. He was a lawyer by profession, and resided at "Sully" in Fairfax County, not far distant from Alex andria and Washington. He died April 13th, 1850. He was twice married, his two wives having been sisters, and were daughters of Col. John, and Jane (Diggs) Fitzgerald, of Alexandria. By his first wife, Elizabeth, he had no surviving children; but by his second wife, Jane, whom he married on the 9th of February, 1810, he had five children. I — Jane Elizabeth 6, born 1811, died 1837, married Henry T. Harrison, of Loudoun County, and left one daughter, who died unmarried in 1870. II — Samuel Phillips 6. See page 179. 146 STRATFORD AND THE LEES III — John Fitzgerald 6. See page 185. IV — Arthur 6, died unmarried at Louisville, Ky., August 7, 1841. V — Francis Anne 6, born at Bladensburg, Md., June 30, 1816, died, December 5, 1889, married first, September 6, 1842, to Goldsborough Robinson and had two children. Married second, November 6, 1856, to William Frederick Pettit and had one child. Major-General Henry Lee. (Light Horse Harry). Henry 5, eldest child of Henry 4, (Henry 3, Rich ard 2, Richard 1), was born at Leesylvania, Jan uary 29, 1756, died at Cumberland Island, Ga., March 25, 1818. FIFTH GENERATION 147 After receiving the usual rudimentary educa tion at home, Henry was sent to Princeton College, where he graduated in 1773. Dr. William Shippen wrote to R. H. Lee, in 1770: "Your cousin, Henry Lee, is in college and will be one of the first fellows in this country. He is more than strict in his morality, has fine genius and is diligent. Charles is in the grammer school, but Dr. Witherspoon ex pects much from his genius and application." (Dr. Witherspoon was then the President of Princeton College). On leaving college, Henry, was for some time employed in looking after the private affairs of his father, who was absent from home, engaged in negotiating a treaty with some Indian tribes in be half of the colony of Virginia. The next year he was intending to embark for England to pursue the study of the law; but the dark shadows of war were al ready threatening, and changed the prospective lawyer into an actual soldier. His later career seems to have proven him well qualified for the profession of the law, and it is probable that, had he entered the political arena, he would have made for himself a reputation of no mean proportion as an orator and legislator. Henry Lee was foremost among those who took an active part in organizing and drilling the militia of Virginia; in consequence, he was appointed, in 1776, by Patrick Henry, then governor of the State, a captain of one of the companies of calvary in the Virginia regiment commanded by Colonel Theodorick Bland. Lee soon distinguished himself by his thorough discipline of his troopers, as well as by the care and attention given to their horses and equipment. He wrote his colonel, under the date 148 STRATFORD AND THE LEES of April 13th, 1777, " How happy would I be, if it was possible for my men to be furnished with caps and boots, prior to my appearance at head-quarters ! You know, my dear colonel, that, justly, an officer's reputation depends not only on the discipline, but appearance of his men. Could the articles mention ed be allowed my troop, their appearance into Mor ris (Morristown) would secure me from the imputa tion of carelessness as their captain, and I have van ity enough to hope would assist in procuring some little credit to the Colonel and regiment. Pardon my solicitations on any head respecting the condition of my troop; my sole object is the credit of the regiment." At the time the letter was written. Colonel Bland's regiment had joined the Army under Washington, and Lee was about to make his first appearance "at head-quarters." His appearance must have been such as he desired, or his subsequent behavior in ac tive service must have been successful, for he ap pears to have won the esteem and affection of Wash ington very early in the war. It is certain that he was frequently employed by his commander on con fidential missions and hazardous expeditions. "He was favorably noticed by Washington throughout the war," wrote Irving. At one time the General wrote to Lee: "... .You may in future or while on your present command, mark your letters PRI VATE;" this to an officer only twenty-three years old surely indicated confidence and esteem. In fact, his extreme youth seems to have been the sole rea son why due rank was not awarded his military mer it. He was too youthful to be elevated over the heads FIFTH GENERATION 149 of men so much his senior in years, though probably his inferior in military talent. This letter attest the kind feeling of apprecia tion in which Lee was held by his great chief : "My Dear Lee, — Although I have given you my thanks in the general orders of this day, for the late instance of your gallant behaviour, I cannot resist the inclination I feel to repeat them again in this manner. I needed no fresh proofs of your merit, to bear you in my remembrance. I waited only for the proper time and season to show it; those, I hope are not far off. I shall also think of and will reward the merit of Lindsay, when an opportunity presents, as far as I can consistently ; and shall not forget the corporal, whom you have recommended to my notice. Offer my sincere thanks to the whole of your gallant party, and assure them that no one felt pleasure more sensibly, or rejoiced more sincerely for your and their escape, than your affectionate," etc. The skirmish referred to by Washington was an attempt on the part of the British to capture Lee. They attached sufficient importance to making him their prisoner to send a troop of 200 horse to secretly surround his headquarters, when they had ascertain ed he was near their lines and accompanied by only ten men. The Americans manned the windows of the house and succeeded in beating off the assailants. Lee reported, "The contest was very warm; the British dragoons trusting to their vast superiority in number, attempted to force their way into the house. In this they were baffled by the bravery of my men. After having left two killed and four wounded, they desisted and sheered off." 150 STRATFORD AND THE LEES The skill and daring of Lee soon won such favor in the eyes of his chief, that Washington urged Con gress to give him command of an independent corps, for scouting and foraging. In a letter to the Presi dent of Congress he wrote: "Captain Lee, of the Light Dragoons, and the of ficers under his command, having uniformly distin guished themselves by a conduct of exemplary zeal, prudence, and bravery, I took occasion, on a late signal instance of it, to express the high sense I en tertained of their merit, and to assure him that it should not fail of being properly noticed. I was in duced to give the assurance from a conviction that it is the wish of Congress to give every encourage ment to merit, and that they would cheerfully em brace so favorable an opportunity of manifesting this disposition. I had it in contemplation at the time, in case no other method more eligible could be adopted, to make an offer of a place in my family. I have consulted the committee of Congress on the subject, and we are mutually of the opinion, that giving Captain Lee command of two troops of horse on the proposed establishment, with the rank of major, to act as independent corps, would be a mode of rewarding him very advantageous to the service. Captain Lee's genius particularly adapts him to a command of this nature and it will be the most agree able to him of any station in which he could be placed." Shortly after this, Lee was given the command of three companies each of cavalry and of infantry, to operate as an independent corps. By the attention FIFTH GENERATION 151 he gave to the discipline of his men, and the care of their horses, he kept his troops so well mounted and so effective that they were able to move with great rapidity and daring. In consequence of their dash and bravery in scouting and foraging, they acquired quite a reputation, and he, the soubriquet of "Light- Horse Harry," a name which has ever clung to him. On the 19th of July, 1779, at the head of three hun dred men, Lee surprised and captured Paulus Hook, New Jersey, securing some 160 prisoners, and re treated with the loss of only two killed and three wounded. For "his prudence, address, and bravery," on this and other occasions. Congress voted the fol lowing resolutions. By the Act of 7th of April, 1778, it was "Resolved, whereas, Captain Henry Lee, of the Light Dragoons, by the whole tenor of his conduct during the last campaign, has proved himself a brave and prudent officer rendered essential service to his country, and acquired to himself and the corps he commanded, distinguished honor, and it being the determination of Congress to reward merit. 152 STRATFORD AND THE LEES Resolved, that Captain Henry Lee be promoted to the rank of Major-Commandant; that he be em powered to augment his present corps by enlistment of two corps of horse, to act as a separate corps." By the act of September 24th, 1779, it was "Resolved, that the thanks of Congress be given to Major Lee for the remarkable prudence, address and bravery displayed in the attack on the enemy's fort and works at Paulus Hook, and that they approve the humanity shown in circumstances prompting to severity, as honorable to the arms of the United States, and correspondent to the noble principles on which they were assumed, and that a gold medal, emblematic of this affair, be struck under the direc tion of the Board of Treasury, and presented to Major Lee." After serving for three years in the campaigns of the northern army, Lee was ordered south to join General Greene with whom he served until his final retirement from the army after the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. Greene commended him by declaring that "no man in the progress of the cam paign had equal merit." When it is remembered that Lee served there with such soldiers as Morgan, Marion, Pickens, Sumpter, and other gallant officers, the full extent of this praise will be appreciated. About October, 1780, Congress proposed to re-organ ize the army somewhat, and among the changes con sidered was the placing of Lee's corps in one of the regular regiments. Washington opposed this change, and wrote October 11th, 1780, to the President of FIFTH GENERATION 153 Congress: "....Major Lee has rendered such dis tinguished services, possesses so many talents for commanding a corps of this nature, and deserves so much credit for the perfection in which he keeps his corps, as well as for the handsome exploits which he has performed, that it would be a loss to the ser vice, and a discouragement to merit, to reduce him, and I do not see how he can be introduced into one of the regiments in a manner satisfactory to him self, and which will enable him to be equally useful, without giving too much disgust to the whole line of cavalry." This protest had due effect, and Lee re tained the command of his partisan corps, being also advanced to the rank of lieutenant colonel. In writ ing to John Matthews, a member of Congress from South Carolina, Washington was even more compli mentary to Lee. Under date of October 23rd, he wrote : " Lee's corps will go to the southward. I believe it will be found very useful. The corps it self is an excellent one, and the officer at the head of it HAS GREAT RESOURCES OF GENIUS." Colonel Charles Cornwallis Chesney, of the Eng lish Army, in an article on General Robert E. Lea, speaks thus of his father : "From the very first he displayed military talent of a high order, and be came before long the most noted leader of his army for dashing enterprise in separate command. A special gold medal was awarded him by Congress for his capture of the fort at Paulus Hook, and in 1781 he was sent to join the forces under General Greene, in the South, there matched against Cornwallis. That Greene failed, on the whole, in his encounter is well known. He was in fact in a position of in feriority, until Cornwallis left the. South for Peters- 154 STRATFORD AND THE LEES burg and the Richmond peninsular Greene however, though defeated, never ceased to hold his own stoutly against Cornwallis for the time, and afterwards recovered the Carolinas fully for Con gress. His successes were due in great part to the talents and energy of his young cavalry commander. General Henry Lee had a worthy opponent in Colonel Tarleton, a cavalry officer of no mean merit in light warfare. But the republican cavalier established his superiority very fully in the series of skirmishes that ensued. And although, in his own Memoir of the War, he had the modesty to attribute his suc cesses over Tarleton to his superiority in horse flesh, readers of his interesting work may discern for themselves that his own skill and judgment were the prime causes of the advantage, and will be dis posed to agree to the full with General Greene, who wrote in his personal thanks, 'No man in the prog ress of the campaign had equal merit with yourself,' an expression of strong meaning coming from a plain, blunt soldier of honest character. And this praise was fully confirmed by Washington's own words of love and thanks, in a letter of later date, written long enough after to show how strong in that great man's mind was the memory of the serv ices of 'Light-Horse Harry,' as his contemporaries familiarly called General Henry Lee." Shortly after the surrender of Cornwallis, Lee resigned from the army, upon which occasion Gen eral Greene wrote him this letter: "Headquarters, January 27th, 1782. Dear Sir: — I have beheld with extreme anxiety for some time past a growing discontent in your FIFTH GENERATION 155 mind, and have not been without my apprehensions that your complaints originated more in distress than in ruin of your constitution. Whatever may be the source of your wounds, I wish it was in my power to heal them. . . .From our earliest acquaint ance I had a partiality for you, which progressively grew in friendship. I was under no obligation to you until I came into this country ; and yet I believe you will do me the justice to say I never wanted in clination to serve you. Here I have been under the greatest obligations, — obligations I can never can cel I am far from agreeing with you in the opinion that the public will never do you justice. I believe few officers either in Europe or America, are held in so high a point of estimation as you are. Substantial service is what constitutes lasting repu tation; and your reports of this campaign are the best panegyric that can be given of your action .... It is true, there are few of your countrymen, who from ignorance and malice are disposed to do injustice to your conduct, but it is out of their power to in jure you. Indeed, you are ignorant of your own weight and influence, otherwise you would despise their spleen and malice Everybody knows I have the highest opinion of you as an officer and you know I love you as a friend; whatever may be your determination, to retire or to continue in serv ice, my affection will accompany you." In a parting letter Greene adds (12th, February, 1782) : "You are going home and you will get married, but you cannot cease to be a soldier ; should the war 156 STRATFORD AND THE LEES rage here, I shaH call for you in a few months, un less I should find your inclination opposed to my wishes." General Charles Lee once said of him, that "Major Lee seemed to have come out of his mother's womb a soldier." Marshafl, the early historian of Wash ington, has written: "The continued labors and ex ertions of all were highly meritorious, but the suc cessful activity of one corps will attract particular attention. The legion, from its structure, was pe culiarly adapted to the partisan warfare of the Southern States, and, by being detached against weaker posts of the enemy, and opportunities for displaying with advantage all the energies it pos sessed. In that extensive sweep which it made from the Santee to Augusta, which employed from the 15th of April to the 8th of June, this corps, acting in conjunction first with Marion, afterward with Pickens, and sometimes alone, had constituted the principal force which carried five British posts and made upward of 1100 prisoners." Mr. Curtis has declared that, "No officer in the American Army could have been better fitted than Lee for the command of a partisan corps ; for in the surprise of posts, in gaining intelligence, of distract ing and discomforting your enemy, without bringing him to a general action, and all the strategy which belongs to the partisan warfare, few officers in any service have been more distinguished than the sub ject of our memoir. The legion of Lee, under the untiring labors of its active, talented commander, became one of the most efficient corps in the Amer ican army. The horsemen were principally recruit- FIFTH GENERATION 157 ed in the Southern and Middle States — countries proverbial for furnishing skillful riders; while the horses, under the inspection of the Virginian com mander, were superior in bone and figure, and could many of them have boasted a lineal descent from the good and gallant Godolphin Arabian. "Among Lee's officers were the good and gallant names of Eggleston, Rudolph, Armstrong, O'Neil, and the surviving honored veterans, Allen M'Lane, of Delaware, and Harrison, of Virginia. The arrival of the legion in the South was hailed as most auspi cious to the success of our arms in that quarter ; in deed, so fine a corps of horse and foot, so well dis ciplined, and in such gallant array, was rarely to be seen in those days of desolation. The partisan legion did good service in the campaigns of the Carolinas, and the commander won his way to the esteem and confidence of Greene, the WELL-BELOVED OF WASHINGTON, as he had previously done to the esteem and confidence of the great chief himself; and, as a justice of the great military sagacity of Lee, let it be remembered, that he was mainly in strumental in advising Greene to that RETURN TO THE CAROLINAS, which eventuated in the decisive and glorious combat of Eutaw, and the virtual lib eration of the South. With the close of the cam paign of 1781 ended the military services of Lieuten ant-Colonel Lee. He retired on furlough to Virginia, and was happily present at the surrender of his old adversary, the formidable Cornwallis, 19th of Octo ber. Lee married shortly afterward, and settled at Stratford, in the county of Westmoreland, but was permitted, by his grateful and admiring countrymen, for a short time only to enjoy the OTIUM CUM 158 STRATFORD AND THE LEES DIGNITATE, being successively chosen to the State legislature, the convention for ratifying the constitution, the gubernatorial chair, and the Con gress of the United States." During all his services in these legislative bodies, Henry Lee was an ardent federalists, ably support ing Madison, and others in their efforts for secur ing the ratification of the Constitution by the Vir ginia Convention. In taking this position he was an antagonist of his cousin, Richard Henry Lee, yet the latter considered his services so valuable to the State that he was anxious for him to be in the Vir ginia Assembly. Under date of July 14th, 1787, R. H. Lee wrote his brother, Arthur: "I do really consider it a thing of consequence to the public interest that Col. H. Lee, of Stratford should be in our next Assembly, and therefore wish you would exert yourself with the old squire, (Richard .Lee) to get his resignation, or disqualification rather, so that his nephew may get early into the House of Delegates. I know it is like persuading a man to sign his own death warrant, but upon my word the state of public affairs renders the sacrifice of place and vanity, necessary." Henry Lee was governor of Virginia for three years; while in this office, Washington appointed him to command the troops ordered out to suppress the "Whiskey Rebellion," which occurred in west ern Pennsylvania, in 1794: he succeeded in quelling the rebellion without bloodshed. On July 19th, 1798, he was appointed a major-general in the army, and was honorably discharged June, 15th, 1800. Being a member of Congress in 1799, when the news of the death of Washington was received by Congress, he FIFTH GENERATION ] 59 drew up a series of resolutions, formally announcing that event, which were presented in his absence, by his colleague, John Marshall; in these resolution occur those ever memorable words: "FIRST IN WAR, FIRST IN PEACE, AND FIRST IN THE HEARTS OF HIS FELLOW-CITIZENS." There upon, Congress resolved that "the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representa tives, be desired to request one of the members of Congress to perform and deliver an oration. Henry Lee was selected to pay this tribute on behalf of Congress to the great Washington, and the oration was delivered before Congress on the 26th of De cember, 1799, at the "German Lutheran Church, in 4th street, above Arch, Philadelphia, the largest in the city.'^ Of this oration Mr. Custis has written, as one who had heard it: "With the advantages of a classic ed ucation. General Lee possessed taste and distinguish ed powers of eloquence; and was selected, on the demise of Washington, to deliver the oration in the funeral solemnities decreed by Congress in honor of the Pater Patriae. The oration having been but imperfectly committed to memory, from the very short time in which it was composed, somewhat im paired its effects upon the auditory; but, as a com position, it has only to be read to be admired, for the purity and elegance of its language, and the powerful appeal it makes to the hearts of its readers ; and we will adventure to affirm, that it will rank among the most celebrated performances of those highly distinguished men who mounted the rostrum on that imposing occasion of national mourning." Mr. Custis adds : "In one particular, Lee may be 160 STRATFORD AND THE LEES said to have excelled his illustrious contempories, Marshall, Madison, Hamflton, Gouverneur Morris and Ames. It was a surprising quickness of talent, a genius sudden, dazzling, and always at command, with an eloquence which seemed to flow unbidden. Seated at a convivial board when the death of Patrick Henry was announced, Lee called for a scrap of paper, and in a few moments produced a striking and beautiful elogium upon the Demosthenes of mod ern liberty. His powers of conversation were also fascinating in the extreme, possessing those rare and admiral qualities which seize and hold captive his hearers, delighting while they instruct. That Lee was a man of letters, a scholar who had ripened under a truly classical sun, we have only to turn to his work on the southern war, where he was, indeed, the Magna pars fui of all which he relates — a work which well deserves to be ranked with the commen taries of the famed master of the Roman world, who, like our Lee, was equally renowned with the pen as the sword. But there is a line, a single line, in the works of Lee which would hand him over to immor tality, though he had never written another. 'First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his fellow-countrymen,' wiH last whfle language lasts. What a sublime eulogium is pronounced in that noble line. So few words, and yet how illustrative are they of the vast and matchless character of Wash ington! They are words which will descend with the memory of the hero they are meant to honor, to the veneration of remotest posterity, and be graven on colossal statues of the Pater Patriae in some future age. "The attachment of Lee to Washington was like FIFTH GENERATION 161 that of Hamilton, pure and enthusiastic — like that of the chivalric Laurens, devotional. It was in the praise of his 'hero, his friend and his country's pre server' that the splendid talents of Lee were often elicited, with a force and grandeur of eloquence whol ly his own. The fame and memory of his chief was the fondly-cherished passion to which he clung amid the wreck of his fortunes — the hope which gave warmth to his heart when all else around him seem ed cold and desolate. But shall the biographer's task be complete, when the faults of his subject are not to be taken into account ? Of faults, perhaps the sub ject of our memoir had many; yet how admirable is the maxim handed down to us from the ancients, 'De mortuis nil, nisi bonum.' Let the faults of Lee be buried in the distant grave — let the turf of ob livion close over the failings of him whose early de votion to liberty, in liberty's battles — whose elo quence in her senates and historical memoirs of her times of trial, shed a lustre on his country in his young days of the Republic ; and when Americans of some future date shall search among the records of their early history for the lives of illustrious men who flourished in the age of Washington, high on a brilliant scroll will they find inscribed, Henry Lee, a son of Virginia-patriot, soldier, and historian of the Revolution, and orator and statesman of the Republic." In 1801, Henry Lee retired permanently from public life, hoping to spend the remainder of his days in the peaceful quiet of a Virginia farm life. "With his congressional career, ended the better days of this highly gifted man. An unhappy rage for spec ulation caused him to embark upon that treacherous 162 STRATFORD AND THE LEES stream, which gently, and almost imperceptibly at first, but with sure and fearful rapidity at last, hurries its victims to the vortex of . destruction. It was, indeed, lamentable to behold the venerable Mor ris and Lee, patriots, who, in the senates of liberty and on her battlefields, had done the 'State such service,' instead of enjoying a calm and happy eve ning of life, to be languishing in prison and in exile. Lee, after long struggling with adversity, sought in a foreign land a refuge from his many ills, where, becoming broken in health, he returned home to die. He reached the mansion of Greene, and fortune, re lenting her frowns, lit up his few remaining days with a smile. There, amid attentions the most con soling and kindly, surrounded by recollections of his old and loved commander, the most fond and endear ing, the worn and wearied spirit of the patriot, statesman, and soldier of liberty, found rest in the grave." • FIFTH GENERATION 163 ^^H|Kiry^K8!tf^^^H ¦ ^BIS. Ji-li^-^^^^v Hw ~ w^^^^-__ ¦ _ jJI'^^^ir m ''H '^jtyflH pSjj^^'n^^P^^ jK^C^« ^ -V^^^u HB » '^''^Igf^^l HH l^Bs.fii ^£ '^^^H^^^^^^l H 1 ¦ Gen. Henry Lee's Grave. In 1809 Henry Lee wrote his interesting Memoirs of the War in the Southern Department of the United States. Shortly afterward (June, 1812), he was very seriously injured by a mob at Baltimore, while attempting to defend the house of a friend. Later he made a voyage to the West Indies, seeking restoration for his shattered health. On his way home he landed at Cumberland Island, on the coast of Georgia, the home of his old commander and friend. General Greene, where he died on the 25th, of March, 1818, and was buried. A war vessel, hap pening to be anchored near by, her captain and his crew assisted at his funeral, and paid the last mill- 164 STRATFORD AND THE LEES tary honors to the dead soldier. As has been said: "Fortune seems to have conducted him at the close of his life almost to the tomb of Greene; and his bones may now repose by the side of those of his beloved chief; friends in war, united in death, and partners in a never-dying fame." As stated by Mr. Custis, Henry Lee was always an ardent admirer of Washington, and never lost an opportunity of expressing his veneration for that great man. In his last illness "a surgical operation was proposed, as offering some hope of prolonging his life; but he replied that the eminent surgeon to whose skill and care, during his sojourn in the West Indies, he was so much indebted, had disapproved a resort to the proposed operation. The surgeon in attendance still urging it, the patient put an end to the discussion by saying: 'My dear sir, were the great Washington alive and here, and joining you in advocating it, I would still resist.' " Mr. Irving has said that Henry Lee was always a favorite with Washington, and was very often favorably noticed by him. And Lee, on his part, seems to have looked up to Washington rather as a friend or older brother, than as his mflitary chief. In his letters he appears to have asked for advice upon any private business or public topic that in terested him, and to have expressed his feelings and opinions on current affairs with much freedom. Mr. Irving says further, "Colonel Henry Lee, who used to be a favored guest at Mount Vernon, does not seem to have been much under the influence of that 'reverential awe,' which Washington is said to have inspired: if we may judge from the following anec dote. Washington one day at a table mentioned his FIFTH GENERATION 165 being in want of carriage horses, and asked Lee if he knew where he could get a pair. " 'I have a fine, pair, general,' replied Lee, 'but you cannot get them.' '"Why not?' " 'Because you will never pay more than half price for anything; and I must have full price for my horses.' "The bantering reply set Mrs. Washington laugh ing, and her parrot, perched beside her, joined in the laugh. The general took this familiar assault upon his dignity in great good part. 'Ah, Lee, you are a funny fellow,' said he ; 'see, that bird is laugh ing at you.' " The following letter of sympathy from General Washington to Henry Lee, was evidently written in response to the news of the death of his (first) wife and son; indeed, on the original were endorsed the words by Lee himself, "the deaths of my wife and son." "New York, August 27th, 1790. My dear Sir: — I have been duly favored with the receipt of your obliging letter dated the 12th of June last. I am also indebted to you for a long letter writ ten to me in the course of last year and should have had the pleasure sooner to express my acknowledge ments for the tender interest you take on account of my health and administration, but such is the mul tiplicity of my avocations, and so great the pres sure of public business as to leave me no leisure for the agreeable duty of answering private letters from my friends — and although I shall at all time be happy to hear from them, yet I shall be but an un- 166 STRATFORD AND THE LEES profitable correspondent, as it will not be in my power to make those returns, which under other circumstances I should have real pleasure in doing. It is unnecessary to assure you of the interest I take in whatever nearly concerns you. I, therefore, very sincerely condole with you on your late, and great loss; but as the ways of Providence are as inscrutable as just, it becomes the chfldren of it to submit with resignation and fortitude to its decrees as far as the feelings of humanity will allow, and your good sense will, I am persuaded, enable you to do this. Mrs. Washington joins me in these senti ments and with great esteem and regard, I am, my dear sir," etc. Henry Lee was twice married; first in the spring of 1782, to his cousin Matilda, daughter of Philip LudweU and Elizabeth (Steptoe) Lee, of Stratford: she died about May, 1790, having had four children : I — Nathaniel Green 6, born at Stratford, about 1784, and died in infancy. II — Philip Ludwell 6, born at Stratford about 1785, died in 1792, aged seven years. Ill — Lucy Grymes 6, born at Stratford 1786, mar ried Bernard Moore Carter in 1803, died in 1860. IV — Henry 6. See page 191. After his first wife's death, Henry Lee had seri ously considered the idea of going to France, where, as he wrote Washington when consulting him upon the step, a major-general's commission awaited him. Washington would give no direct advice, but dis couraged the idea, saying he himself would not think of taking such a step. "Because it would appear a boundless ocean I was about to embark on, from whence no land is seen Those in whose hands FIFTH GENERATION 167 the government (of France) is intrusted are ready to tear each other to pieces, and will more than prob ably prove the worst foes the country has." This project was given up, whether through the influence of Washington or from the objection of Mr. Carter, or both is not known. Mr. Carter would not consent to a union with his daughter until assured that the French project was abandoned. He wrote, under the 20th, of May 1793: "The only objection we ever had to your connection with our beloved daugh ter is now done away. You have declared upon your honor that you have relinquished all thoughts of going to France, and we rest satisfied with that as surance. As we certainly know that you have ob tained her consent, you shall have that of her par ents most cordially, to be joined together in the holy bonds of matrimony, whenever she pleases ; and as it is determined on, by the approbation and sin cere affection of all friends, as well as of all the parties immediately concerned, we think the sooner it takes place the better." On hearing of this marriage, Washington writes to Lee: " As we are told that you have ex changed the rugged and dangerous fields of Mars for the soft and pleasurable bed of Venus, I do in this, as I shall in everything you may pursue like unto it, good and laudable, wish you all imaginable success and happiness." Henry Lee married, secondly, on June 18th, 1793, Anne Hill, daughter of Charles Carter, of "Shirley," and Anne Butler Moore, his second wife; Mrs. Lee was born in 1773, and died in 1829 ; they had six chil dren, the record of their ages given here is from Mrs. Lee's family Bible. 168 STRATFORD AND THE LEES V — Algernon Sidney 6, born at Stratford, April 2, 1795, died August 9, 1796. VI— Charles Carter 6. See page 193. VII — Anne Kinloch 6, born at Stratford, June 19, 1800. Married 1825, Judge Wm. Louis Marshall, died at Baltimore, February 20, 1864. VIII— Sydney Smith 6. See page 197. IX— Robt. Edward 6. See page 204. X — Catherine Mildred 6, bom at Alexandria, Feb ruary 27, 1811, married 1831, Edward Vernon Childe, died at Paris, France, 1856. Charles Lee. Charles 5, second son of Henry 4, (Henry 3, Rich ard 2, Richard 1), born 1758, died June 24, 1815, at FIFTH GENERATION 169 his home near Warrenton, Faquier County. He was educated at Princeton College, where he graduated a B. A., in 1775 and M. A., in 1778. In 1777, he was Naval officer of "South Potomac," which office he held until it was abolished in 1789. President Washington wrote Richard Henry Lee, August 2, 1789 : — "Mr. Charles Lee wiH certainly be brought forward as collector of the Port of Alexan dria." He studied law in Philadelphia, under Jared Ingersol., On December 10, 1795, The President ap pointed him Atty. General, which office he held under John Adams and until the inauguration of Thomas Jefferson, in 1801. Washington was an unusually good judge of men, and President Adams confirmed his choice, not only by continuing Mr. Lee as Atty. General through his administration, but on February 18th, 1801, sent his name to the U. S. Senate as one of the 16 new Circuit Judges, required by the reduction of the U. S. Supreme Court to 5 judges in 1801. These new judges were confirmed, March 3rd, 1801, just before midnight, hence they were called the Midnight Judges. The Act of Congress creating them was repealed, April 8th, 1802, without imputing any fault on the part of the judges. It is said that President Adams offered Mr. Lee the appointment of Chief Justice to succeed Oliver EDsworth, but it was declined. Judge Lee retired to his home, and practiced law in the Courts of Vir ginia, and at Washington, until his death, (Hayden, Va., Genealogies, 541). Charles Lee was one of the lawyers for the de fense of Aaron Burr in his famous trial for treason. He was twice married. 170 STRATFORD AND THE LEES Anne Lee. By his first wife, Anne, daughter of Richard Henry Lee, he had : I^Anne Lucinda 6, born at Chantilly, 1790, and married General Walter Jones. II — A son 6, born 1791, and lived about two months. HI — Richard Henry 6, born 1793, at Alexandria, died a month later. IV — Chas. Henry 6, born 1794, at Alexandria. V — Wm. Arthur 6, born 1796, at Alexandria. , VI — Alfred 6, born 1799, at Alexandria, died un married in Fairfax County in 1865. FIFTH GENERATION 171 By his second wife Mrs. Margaret C. (Scott) Pey ton, he had: VII — Robert Eden 6, was born at "Gordansdale," Fauquier Co., September 7, 1810, and was killed at Warrenton, July 24, 1843. He married Margaret Gordon Scott and left no issue. VIII — Elizabeth Gorden 6, born at Alexandria, May 17, 1813, married November 25, 1835, the Rev. Abraham David Pollock, D. D. They had six chil dren, the oldest Thomas G. Pollock, was a captain in the C. S. A. and kflled in Pickett's Charge at Get tysburg, July 3d, 1863. IX — Alexander 6, born near Warrenton, April 18, 1815, and died in infancy. 172 STRATFORD AND THE LEES Richard Bland Lee. Richard Bland 5, third son of Henry 4, (Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1), born at Leesylvania, January 20, 1861, died March 12, 1827. He was in the Vir ginia Assembly as early as 1784, a member of Con gress 1789 to 1795, and 1825 to 1827. In a letter to the Mayor of Washington, dated October 8, 1824, he said: I was presented to Gen. Lafayette today and de livered the message of the committee, together with a copy of your proposed address. He received with great politeness and cordiality my communication, and informed me that he had sent by Mr. Secretary Adams, his reply to the invitation of the city which FIFTH GENERATION 173 had been delivered to him at Boston — in which I un derstood him to say that he had noted that he would be on Monday evening at the house of a friend near Bladensburg, whom I understood to be Mr. Calvert. On Monday evening and Tuesday morning he would be ready to conform to my arrangements, which might be communicated to him at that time. I col lected from him that Virginia would send a steam boat to conduct him from Alexandria or Mount Ver non to Yorktown, and his probable stay in Washing ton would be three or four days. I have in vain endeavored to find Mr. French. I have visited every principal tavern and can hear nothing of him. I presume he is doing his duty. "The Philadelphians have acknowledged that the military exhibition yesterday and the illumination last night surpassed theirs. I did not see the first, but the last exceeded anything which I had ever seen. The devices and transparencies were most appropriate and elegant. The illumination seemed to throw in a shade the brightness of the moon. In genuity seems to have been exhausted in emblems and gratitude in respect to Washington, Franklin, Lafayette, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton, Jay, and Monroe — ^nor were De Kalb, Steuben, and Rochambeau forgotten. I shall return to-morrow. This city is filled with deputations from Alexandria and various parts of Virginia and Maryland." He married Elizabeth Collins and had: I — Mary Ann 6, born May 11th, 1795, died June 21st, 1796. II— Richard Bland 6. See page 278. HI— Ann Matilda 6, born July 13, 1799, died De- 174 STRATFORD AND THE LEES cember 20, 1880, married Dr. Bafley Washington, Surgeon, U. S. N. IV— Mary CoHins 6, born May 6th, 1801 died Feb ruary 22, 1805. V— Cornelia 6, born March 20, 1804, died Decem ber 26, 1876, married Dr. Jas. W. F. Macrae. VI- — Zaccheus Collins 6. See page 2S3. Theodoric Lee. Theodoric 5, fifth son of Henry 4, (Henry 3, Rich ard 2, Richard 1), born September 3, 1766, died April 10, 1859, at "Eckington," near Washington, D. C. He married Catherine Hite, of Winchester, and had: I— Caroline Hite 6, married Samuel P. Walker, FIFTH GENERATION 175 of Baltimore, Md., and had 13 chfldren. She lived to be 86 years old. II— John Hite 6, born July 30, 1797, died July 1832, at Norfolk, Va., where he was stationed on naval duty. Married, 1825, Elizabeth Prosser, of "White Marsh," Gloeester County, Va. They had three children, Theodoric 7, Matflda 7, and John Hite Lee 7. Ill — Sarah Juliana Maria 6, married 1813, Joseph Gales, Jr., of Washington, left no issue. IV — Catherine Hite 6, married Dr. George May, of Washington, D. C, and left two daughters. 176 STRATFORD AND THE LEES Edmund Jennings Lee. Edmund Jennings 5, fifth son of Henry 4, (Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1), born at "Leesylvania," May 20, 1772, died at his home in Alexandria, May 30, 1843. About 1796, he married Sarah, daughter of Richard Henry Lee, of Chantilly, and had: I — Edmunds Jennings 6. See page 284. II — Anne Harriette 6, bom March 6, 1799, died September 10, 1863, married November 2, 1820, John Lloyd, Esq., of Alexandria, and had six children. Ill — Sarah 6, born about 1801, died unmarried, Aprfl 14, 1879. IV— Wifliam Fitzhugh 6, born May 7, 1804, at Alexandria, and died there May 19, 1837, married FIFTH GENERATION 177 October 27, 1827, Mary Catherine, daughter of Wfl liam Chflton, Esq., of Loudoun County. He left two children, Wifliam Fitzhugh, who was kflled at the first battle of Manassas, and Mary Morrison, who married Rev. Robert Allen Castleman, of Clark Coun ty. V — Hannah 6, born about 1806 and died May 9, 1872, at Lewis, Del. Married May 5, 1840, Rev. Kin- sey Johns Stewart, D. D., and had six chfldren. VI — Cassius Francis 6. See page 288. VII — Susan Meade 6, born March 26, 1814, and died February 15, 1815. VIII — Charles Henry 6, born at Alexandria, Oct. 20, 1818. He married November 7, 1844, Elizabeth A. Dunbar, and had one daughter. IX — Richard Henry 6, born at Alexandria. Just prior -to the outbreak of the Civil War, he had been chosen commonwealth's attorney for that county, and w&s holding this position when he entered the army. He was made Lieutenant in "Botts' Grays," a company of the 2d Virginia Regiment, Stonewall Brigade. During the Valley campaign under Gen eral Jackson, while bearing the colors of his regi ment, the color-bearer having been shot, he received a disabling wound. Upon the organization of the military court he was appointed by President Davis President of the Military Court, of the 2d Army Corps, which position he held until the close of the war. Before this, he had been twice taken prisoner, and was once a prisoner at Johnson's Island; the second time he was fortunate enough to effect his escape. Since the war Mr. Lee has practiced his profession in Clarke and Loudoun Counties, with his residence 178 STRATFORD AND THE LEES near Millwood, in the former county. He was elect ed by the State Legislature as Judge for Clarke County. Mr. Lee was selected as the proper representative of his grandfather, Richard Heilry Lee, to read the Declaration of Independence at the old State House, Phfladelphia, July 4th, 1876. June 1848 he married Evelyn Byrd Page, of "Page- brook," Clarke County, and had five children. Mary Page Lee 7, William Byrd Lee 7, Richard Henry Lee 7, Alice Atkinson Lee 7, Charles Henry Lee 7 and Evelyn Byrd Lee 7. SIXTH GENERATION. Samuel Phillips Lee. SAMUEL Phiflips 6, second chfld of Francis Lightfoot 5, (Richard Henry 4, Thomas 3, Richard 2, Richard 1), born at "Sully," Fair fax County, February 13, 1812. Entering the Navy at an early age, he spent almost his entire life in the service of his country; a brief resume can only be giveh here: He was appointed Midshipman from Virginia, No vember 22, 1825; ordered to sloop-of-war "Hornet," West India Station, February 7, 1827; ordered to line-of-battle-ship, "Delaware," and transferred to the Mediterranean as Captain's Aid to frigate "Java" August 24, 1827; ordered to Norfolk School, Vir- (179) 180 STRATFORD AND THE LEES giana, October 16, 1830. Promoted to Past-Midship man, June 4, 1831, and ordered to Navy Yard, Bos ton, July 28, 1831. Ordered to frigate "Brandywine," Pacific Squadron, as Second Master, and transferred to the "Vincennes" as Acting Lieutenant and ad ditional navigator, April 17, 1834. Promoted to Lieu tenant, February 9, 1837; ordered to Exploring Ex pedition, July 19, 1837 ; ordered to West India Squad ron, December 13, 1839; ordered to Receiving Ship, at Alexandria, Virginia, December 8, 1841; ordered to Coast Survey schooner "Vanderbuilt," August 4, 1844 ; ordered to Navy Yard, Pensacola, Florida, No vember 11, 1844; ordered to command Coast Survey schooner, "Nautalus," March 9, 1846; ordered to command Coast Survey brig, "Washington," Decem ber 29, 1846, on his own application to participate in the Mexican War ; was present at the capture of To- basco, and subsequently transferred to the command of the Coast Survey steamer, "Legare." He always considered coast-survey duty as one of the best schools of naval practice, and advocated its return to the administration of the Navy Department. Ordered to command the brig, "Dolphin" on special service, 10 make deep sea soundings, try currents, search for vigias, etc. (report published by Congress, 1854), July 3, 1851. Detached and ordered to duty on wind and current charts, July 7, 1852. Promoted to Com mander, September 14, 1855. Ordered as member of Examining Board, March 12, 1858; ordered to com mand sloop-of-war, "Vandalia," with orders to the East Indies, November 1, 1860. When he learned, at the Cape of Good Hope, of the rebeflion, assum ing the risk of acting against orders, he brought his ship back and was assigned to the blockade off SIXTH GENERATION 181 Charleston, South Carolina, where he succeeded in maintaining it with the "Vandalia," a safling vessel, when her steam consort was blown off. Before the return of the consort, a British steam- gunboat ventured in to inspect the blockade, and finding it, under such conditions of weather, actual and close, foreign scrutiny was terminated. Ordered to command the sloop-of-war "Oneida," January 20, 1862, and to report to Admiral Farragut. In the expedition against New Orleans, he commanded the advance division below the forts, Jackson and St. Philip. In the gunboat actions, when the gunboats took part in the bombardment, to draw the fire from the bomb-vessels, the "Oneida" was at one time en gaged alone with both forts. In the action of the passage of the forts, the "Oneida" was one of the three vessels first to encounter the enemy's fleet, and she relieved the "Varuna" by driving off the two rams which had ramed her, forcing their burning, and captured the commander of the "Governor Moore." The "Oneida" participated in the capture of the Chalmette batteries below New Orleans ; became advance guard above the city. For a time Lee com manded the advance division below Vicksburg and participated in both the passages of the Vicksburg batteries, the "Oneida" being the second in line on each occasion. Promoted to Captain, July 16, 1862. Appointed to Acting Rear-Admiral, September 2, 1862, and ordered to the command of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Was engaged in blockading the coasts of Virginia and North Caro lina, and zealously co-operating with the armies in the defense of Norfolk, Newborn, and Washington, fighting with their iron-clads and heavy fortifica- 182 STRATFORD AND THE LEES tions in Trent's Reach, and their field-batteries along Grant's line of communication on the James River, always securely held while Admiral Lee was in com mand, for two years he fulfilled the arduous duties of his command, perfecting and maintaining a vast blockade. "The dangerous navigation of the North Carolina coast, owing to the long shoals of Cape Fear, be tween the two ports into Wilmington; the nearness of the British ports of Bermuda and Nassau, from which steamers of excellent form and great speed, of low bufld and gray color, ran in at night ; the im mense profits tempting the risks, made the blockade an undertaking of the greatest difficulty, and yet the Confederacy was, in effect, isolated, by several girdles of cruisers (a system originated by Rear Ad miral Lee), from foreign recruits, supplies, and munitions of war. Of the total number of blockade- running steamers captured or destroyed by this squadron, sixty-five in afl, fifty-four were captured or destroyed by the fleet under Admiral Lee's com mand. Besides blockading, the main duty of the squadron, it, independently, or in co-operation with the army, was engaged in ninety-one actions and expeditions during this period. The efficiency and importance of this service, together with the small loss of shipwreck on so dangerous a coast, have excited the approving comment of foreign military observers. Detached and ordered to command the Mississippi Squadron, October 21st, 1864. The efficiency of this squadron was maintained, notwith standing the withdrawal of a large number of ex perienced officers. Lee's movement up the Cumber land to support General Thomas was in co-operation SIXTH GENERATION 183 with the army against the apprehended crossing pf the river by Hood and his marching to the Ohio. The flag-ship was stopped at Clarksville by the low stage of water, which was still falling on Harpeth Shoals; the river rising barely enough in time to allow Fitch to move the gunboats at Nashville and participate in the defeat of Hood, but not enough to make Harpeth Shoals passable three days later. Army communication were kept open and opera tions supported with vigor and effect, and the lower Mississippi was vigilantly guarded against the in tervention of the trans-Mississippi Confederate forces. The operation of the squadron on the Tenn essee River prevented Hood on his retreat from crossing where the Tennessee was navigable, forcing him to cross six miles above the head of navigation on Muscle Shoals, the rocky barrier that effectually closed navigation for thirty miles above the close piers of Florence Bridge, where he had previously crossed. Detached from the Mississippi Squadron, August 14, 1865, which after much arduous labor, had been disbanded, vessels laid up or sent to other squadrons, officers and men discharged or trans ferred. Promoted to Commodore, July 25, 1866; ordered as President of Examining Board, to meet at Philadelphia, March 6, 1868; ordered as Presi dent of Examining Board, April 16, 1868; ordered as President of Court Martial at New York, May 29, 1868; ordered as President of Board of Examiners, Februai'y 13, 1869; ordered as member of Board to examine the Atlantic Navy Yards and was author of the report to impove them, March 10, 1869 ; ordered in charge of Signal Service, Washington, D. C, Octo ber 13, 1869. Promoted Rear-Admiral, April 22, 1870 ; 184 STRATFORD AND THE LEES ordered to special duty at Navy Department, June 27, 1870 ; ordered to command North Atlantic Squad ron, August 9, 1870; detached, August 15, 1872. Retired February 13, 1873;" (Hammersly, Records of Living Officers of the U. S. Navy and Marine Corps. 1890). Died at Silver Springs, Md., June 7th, 1897 and is buried at Arlington. Elizabeth (Blair) Lee. Admiral Lee was married Aprfl 27, 1843, to Eliza beth, daughter of Francis Preston Blair, they had but one child. I— Blair Lee 7. See Page 295. SIXTH GENERATION 185 John Fitzgerald Lee. John Fitzgerald Lee 6, third child of Francis Lightfot 5, (Richard Henry 4, Thomas 3, Richard 2, Richard 1), born at Sully, Fairfax County, May 5th, 1813, died, St. Louis, June 17, 1884. John Fitzgerald Lee entered West Point as a cadet on July 1st, 1830, and graduated in 1834; was ap pointed brevet 2nd. Lieutenant 1st artillery, July 1st 1834; 2nd. lieutenant, July 23rd, 1835; served in Florida against the Seminole Indians, as captain in the regiment of mounted Creek volunteers ; made 1st lieutenant light artillery, December 17th, 1836; a brevet captain, January 27th, 1837, "for gaUantry and good conduct in the war against the Florida 186 STRATFORD AND THE LEES Indians;" 1st lieutenant of ordinance, July 9th, 1838; served as ordinance officer at Little Rock, 1838-40; at Washington, 1841-42 ; commanded the arsenal at Fortress Monroe, 1846-47, the Washington arsenal 1847-48, and later at St. Louis; was made captain of ordinance, March 3d, 1847; appointed Judge Ad vocate of the Army with headquarters at Washing ton, 1849-62, with brevet rank of major of staff. He studied law and when the office of Judge Ad vocate of the Army was created he was appointed to that position. When the Civil War broke out his sympathies and affection went with the South, though his judgment convinced him of the hopeless ness of this contest against the North, so in 1862 he retired to the "Lodge" his estate in Prince George County, Maryland. In 1862 Major Lee was chosen a member of the Maryland Constitutional Convention and a member of the State Senate at the- next Assembly. At his death the following appeared in a St. Louis paper : "The grave wifl close today over the remains of this gifted man. He was little known in St. Louis, where he died, but for nearly fifty years he has been a prominent member of society in Washington City, and his name is a household word with aU other officers of the United States Army. "He was born May 5th, 1813. He was a grand son of Richard Henry Lee, the colleague and almost the equal in eloquence of Patrick Henry in the Con gress of 1876. He was admitted into the United States Mflitary Academy as a cadet from Virginia in 1830, and graduated with distinguished honor in 1834. Commissioned a lieutenant of artiflery, he SIXTH GENERATION 187 was afterwards attached to the ordinance corps, and stationed at various fortresses and arsenals, accord ing to the exigencies of the service, untfl 1849. Dur ing this interval he served one campaign in Florida, in the Seminole War. "When the Civil war broke out, Major Lee was placed in a painful and delicate situation. He con demned secession unreservedly, both as a political heresy and a blunder in statesmanship ; but he could not make up his mind to bear arms against his friends and relatives in Virginia. While he disap proved of their views and their conduct, he could not divest himself of some sympathy for their per sons. He was, therefore, entirely out of harmony with those who regarded any such sentiments as a crime, and by the Act of July 17th, 1862, he was legislated out of office. He therefore, retired from the army and has since resided in Washington City, or its neighborhood. He had a farm in Prince George's County, Md., and there he passed all but the winter months of each year. Those he spent in Washington City with his family. He married in 1845, Miss Hill, a lady of Prince George's County, who survives him, and of this marriage there were five children, a daughter and four sons, who also survive. Of these sons the three eldest, William H. Lee, Arthur Lee, and John F. Lee, Jr., are, and have long been well known and respected citizens of St. Louis. "Major Lee was a man of unusual capacity, im proved by extensive and well-directed reading. His vivacity, wit, and cheerfulness rendered him a de lightful companion, and these qualities, with his ele vated and generous spirit, made him a cherished 188 STRATFORD AND THE LEES friend to all who had the privilege of friendship with him. Seldom is a man of equal ability to be seen more entirely free from ambition. He was a man of most scrupulous integrity. He loved his family and his friends and found his happiness in their service and society; but from all the weakness of vanity he seems to have been altogether free. Like many who have been in military life until past middle age, he considered himself unfit for civil pur suits when he left the army. Only by an irksome effort did he imagine that he could succeed in the attempt to form new habits of life, and as in one sense no necessity existed for over coming his aver sion to these new methods the effort was not made. "His departure makes in his family circle a void, which is unspeakable an irreparable. To his few surviving contemporaries, while it renders their re maining days more dreary, it is at the same time a warning that he has only by a brief interval pre ceded them to the sflent shore. One who has for more than fifty years known and loved him offers this tribute to his memory." St. Louis, June 18, 1884. April 29, 1845, he married Eleanor Ann Hill, of Prince George County, Md., a lineal descendant of Clement Hill, the first Surveyor General of the Prov ince of Maryland, under Lord Baltimore. And by her he had five children. I— Wflliam Hfll 7, born, Washington, D. C, March 7, 1846. Is President of the Merchant's-Laclede Bank of St. Louis, Mo., where he resides. Married, November 3, 1869, Julia Turner, daughter of Major Henry S. Turner, of Marengo, King George County, Va., and by her had seven children. SIXTH GENERATION 189 1st — Eleanor Hill 8, born, St. Louis, October 6, 1870, died September 18, 1874. 2nd — Henry Turner 8, born in St. Louis, June 27, 1872, and is now living near Columbia, Boone Coun ty, Md., married Katherine De Hart Patterson and has three children, viz., Wilson Turner 9, born Feb- urary 26, 1901, Julia Hunt 9, born Aprfl 26, 1903 and Phebe McDonald 9, born May 14, 1910. 3rd — Julia Hunt 8, born St. Louis, September 22. 1874, died September 27, 1877. 4th — Janet Fitzgerald 8, born St. Louis, January 16. 1877. married Captain Edward Carpenter, U. S- Army and has two children. 5th — ^William Hill, Jr. 8, born St. Louis, September 26, 1879, died January 8th, 1889. 6th — Margaret Loretta 8, born St. Louis, January 16th, 1883, unmarried. 7th — Marianna 8, born St. Louis, June 25, 1884. married Charles Martin Polk, of Arkansas and have two children. II — Arthur 7, born Fortress Monroe, Va., June 1, 1847, died unmarried, St. Louis, Mo., Aprfl 12, 1899. Graduated at Georgetown College in 1867 and finish ed his legal education at the University of Virgina 1869-70. For two years he was secretary to his Uncle, Admiral Samuel Phillips Lee, then in com mand of the North Atlantic Squadron. He was ad mitted to the practice of law in Maryland and soon after settled in St. Louis and formed a partnership with his brother, John F. Lee. Admirably grounded in the principles of law, his standing in the profession was a most enviable one and he was one of the best known men in St. Louis •His prominence was due largely to the depth of his 190 STRATFORD AND THE LEES learning. He was accounted an authority on the best books, and served for years on the Public Lib rary Board. Ill— John Fitzgerald 7, born June 29, 1848, is now practicing law in St. Louis, Mo. IV— Anne 7, born Aprfl 24, 1851. Married Henry Harrison, of Leesburg, Va., January 8, 1885. V— Francis Phiflips 7, born May 8, 1856, is living unmarried in St. Louis, Mo. George Lee. George 6, third child of George 5, (Thomas Ludwefl 4, Thomas 3, Richard 2, Richard 1), born about 1796, died at Leesburg, 1858, married Sarah Moore Henderson and had a very large family it is said twenty-three children, of these however nothing is known except that a daughter Orra 7, married John M. Orr and Evelyn Byrd 7, married Thomas Delaney. Maria and Elizabeth Claggett died unmarried. Archibald Henderson 7, died unmar ried, and George 7, born at Leesburg May 3, 1831, died at Brooklyn, N. Y., April 14th, 1892. Married June 27th 1860, Laura Francis Orr, and had at least four children, Hugh Douglass 8, Elanor Orr 8, Asa Rogers 8, and Arthur 8. Hugh Douglas Lee 8, is the representative in the male line of Thomas Lee, of Stratford. SIXTH GENERATION 191 Henry Lee. Henry 6, fourth child of Henry 5, (Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1), was born at "Strat ford," Westmoreland County, Va., May 28th, 1787, died at Paris, France, January 30th, 1837. He graduated at William and Mary Coflege in 1808; was appointed Major of the 36th Regiment by President Madison, April 8th, 1813 ; served on the Canadian frontier on the staff of General James Wil kinson, and later on that of General George Izard. "On his return from Canada, he met in New York, Lord Jeffrey, the 'Edinburgh' reviewer, and both men were much sought after in society on account of their brilliant conversational powers." Major Lee was an ardent and influential supporter of Gen eral Jackson in his canvass for the Presidency, in whose behalf he wrote several essays, and was re warded with the appointment of Consul to Algiers. But, as his appointment was rejected by the Senate, Major Lee left Algiers after a short residence and travelled through Italy on his way to Paris. While on his trip he met "Madam Mere," the mother of Napoleon; for whom he entertained an extravagant admiration, as shown in the following note to Madam Bonepart : "Rome, April 2nd, 1830. As I feel the most profound respect for Madam, the mother of Napoleon, that one being can entertain for another, I beg leave to offer for her acceptance the enclosed autograph letter from General Wash ington to my father, considering this precious mem orial of the American hero and patriot well bestowed in being placed in the hands- of a lady, great in- her 192 STRATFORD AND THE LEES own character and illustrious in her offspring; especiafly in having given birth to the greatest warrior and the most generous conqueror and friend that ever existed." March 1817, Major Lee married Anne R., daughter of Daniel McCarty, of Westmoreland County, and had one child, Margaret Lee 7, who was accidently killed when about ten years of age, by falling down the high stone steps of the "Stratford" mansion. At least the following is the story told by Eleanor Grif fith Fairfax, of Westmoreland County. "Some years ago Aunt Miny, an old colored woman, told me the sad story of the death of Major Henry Lee's only daughter, a niece of General R. E. Lee, which story was corroborated by Dr. Stuart, he hav ing frequently heard his Aunt, (Mrs. Storke, a sister of Henry Lee's wife), speak of the death of her sister's chfld, little Margaret, aged ten, who during a sleet while playing around the front hall door, fell down these stone steps and was killed." Besides his review of Jefferson's writings, Major Lee began, whfle residing at Paris, a history of Na poleon's Italian campaign, but completed only one volume, which was published after his death. SIXTH GENERATION 193 Charles Carter Lee. Charles Carter 6, sixth child of Henry 5, (Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1), was born at Strat ford, November 1798, died March 21, 1871, and was buried at his home, "Windsor Forest," in Powhatan County. He graduated from Harvard in 1819, second in his class. He possessed a mind of a very superior order, had a thorough classical education, a most retentive memory, and a keen wit. Being an omniverous reader, a brilliant conversationalist, his society was most entertaining, and in consequence he was greatly sought after at all social gatherings. He was a lawyer by profession and practiced first at Washington City, then in Floyd County, Va., next in 194 STRATFORD AND THE LEES Mississippi, where he resided for several years ; later he removed to Hardy County, and finafly settled in Powhatan. Some verses of his, known as the Vir ginia Georgics, written for the "Hole and Corner Club of Powhatan," were published in the club in 1858. May 13, 1847, he married Lucy Penn, daughter of George Taylor, of "Horn Quarter," King Wflliam County, and of the same famfly as President Taylor. They had the following children : I — Geo. Taylor 7, born Richmond, Va., March 8th, 1848, and lived with his parents at "Brookfield," near Richmond, untfl about seven years old, when his parents moved to "Windsor Forest," Powhatan Coun ty. He entered the Virginia Military Institute when sixteen years of age and served with the cadets until the close of the war; part of the time in Lexington, part in Richmond and part in the field. After the war, he entered Washington & Lee University and graduated a B. L., and has been practicing law in Johnson City, Tenn., (where he now lives), since 1891. May 16,- 1888, he married Mrs. Ella Marion (Good man) Fletcher, of Arkansas, and by her had the fol lowing children : (1) Charles Carter 8, born at Lanoke, Ark., April 9, 1889, and lives at Johnson City, Tenn. (2) Lucy Randolph 8, born at Johnson City, Tenn., September 19, 1893, and lives there with her parents. (3) Geo. Taylor 8, born at Johnson City, Tenn., December 26, 1895, and lives there with his parents. II — Henry 7, born Richmond, Virginia, July 9, SIXTH GENERATION 195 1849, died in Macon, Georgia, May 13, 1901, and is buried there. Married July 19, 1888, Liflian Eliza beth Worlen, who is stifl living and resides in Moul trie, Ga. They had four children. (1) Charles Carter Lee 8, born Roanoke, Va., Aprfl 8, 1889, and died at Roanoke, May 8, 1889, and is buried there. (2) Robert Henry Lee, born in Winston-Salem, N. C, September 3, 1890, and is now a cadet at West Point, N. Y. (3) Lillian Virginia Lee, born at Winston-Salem, N. C, December 26, 1893, died at same place, Sep tember 11, 1903, and is buried there. (4) Soule Alice Lee, born at Charlotte, N. C, October 1, 1900, and resides with her mother. HI — Robert Randolph 7, born Richmond, Va., May 22, 1853, married February 4, 1886, Alice Wilkerson, and had by her four chfldren; Wm. Carter 8, born March 14, 1891 and Robert Randolph 8, born Septem ber 10, 1892 ; Alice 8, born September 10, 1895 ; Mil dred Carter, born April 2nd 1899, he resides at Fine Creek Mifls, Va. IV— Wm. Carter 7, born September 8, 1852, died unmarried in a railroad accident, June 21, 1882. V — Mildred 7, born November 20, 1857, married Dr. John Taylor Francis, February 4, 1888. VI — Catherine Francis 7, born August 27, 1865, married Dr. John Guerrant, of Franklin County, July 10, 1892. VII — John Penn 7, was born in Powhatan County, September 11th, 1867, at "Windsor." Went to the county public school and then to Washington & Lee University, took first an academic course, and then law, graduating in law in 1888. At the age of 196 STRATFORD AND THE LEES twenty-one, commenced practicing law at Rocky Mount, Va., where he now resides. Was appointed judge of the County Court of Franklin County about 1898, and remained on the bench until that court was abolished by the late Constitution. Was elected a member of the House of Delegates of the State of Virginia from Franklin County for the session of 1910, and served during that session. Married, De cember 2, 1896, Isabella Gilmer Walker, of Lynch burg, Va., and by her had seven children, five of whom are living: (1) Catherine Dabney Walker 8, bom at Rocky Mount, Va., September 3, 1897. (2) Richard 8, born at Rocky Mount, Va., June 14, 1899. (3) Chiswell Dabney, born at Rocky Mount, Va., June 14, 1902. (4) Charles Carter 8, born at Rocky Mount, Va., Jaunary 28th, 1906. (5) , Henry 8, born at Rocky Mount, Va., June 24, 1907. SIXTH GENERATION 197 ¦s- ^i^ig|.. ,. ... •¦¦¦;¦,.& wHHHi:' w ^^flfev ^^S * # ^^ ^^^m . m Omk: ^^ Mjf^^^lF ^s^ ^^J^* " \ ^Qh Q \ ¦ \ '0^ @ ^ Sydney Smith Lee. Sydney Smith 6, Eighth child of Henry 5, (Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1), was born September 2, 1802, at Camden, New Jersey, where his mother happened to be visiting a friend ; he died July 22, 1869. Upon graduating at the Naval Acad emy, he was appointed a midsipman, December 30th, 1820; promoted lieutenant. May 17th, 1828; a com mander, June 4th, 1850, and resigned, April 28th, 1861, to enter the service of the Confederate States. A daughter of General Robert E. Lee has thus written of him : "No one who ever saw him can forget his beauti ful face, charming personality, and grace of manner, 198 STRATFORD AND THE LEES which, joined to a nobility of character and good ness of heart, attracted all who came in contact with him, and made him the most generally beloved and popular of men. This was especially so with regard to women, to whom his conduct was that of a preux chevalier, the most chivalric and courteous; and, having no daughters of his own, he turned with the tenderest affection to the daughters of his brother Robert. His public service of more than thirty years in the navy of the United States is well known. He entered it as a boy of fifteen, and faithfully served his country by land and sea in many climates and on many oceans. He was in Japan with Commodore Perry, commanding his flagship, when that inacces sible country was practically opened to the com merce of the world. He was commandant of the Naval Academy at Annapolis, and afterwards in command of the nayy yard at Philadelphia. When the war of secession began he was stationed at Wash ington, but when Virginia seceded he did not hesitate to abandon the comforts and security of the present and ambitions of the future, and cast his lot with his native State in a war in which, from the very nature of things, there could be but little hope for a naval officer. Uninfluenced, then by hope of either fame or fortune, he sadly parted with the friends and comrades of a lifetime, including General Scott, who had been likewise devoted to him as he was to his brother, and for four years served the Southern Con federacy with the same ardor and energy and un selfishness that he had previously given to the whole country. When the end came he accepted the situa tion with characteristic resignation and fortitude." During the Mexican War, Sydney Smith met his SIXTH GENERATION 199 brother, Robert, at Vera Cruz ; in a letter home, the soldier told of his work in placing a battery in posi tion, and added : "The first day this battery opened. Smith served one of the guns. I had constructed the battery, and was there to direct its fire. No matter where I turned, my eyes reverted to him, and I stood by his gun whenever I was not wanted elsewhere. Oh! I felt awfufly, and am at loss what I should have done, had he been cut down before me. I thank God that he was saved. He preserved his usual cheerfullness, and I could see his white teeth through all the smoke and din of the fire. I had placed three 32 and three 68-pound guns in position Their fire was terriffic, and the shells thrown from our battery were constant and regular discharges, so beautiful in their flight and so destructive in their fall. It was awful! My heart bled for the inhabi tants. The soldiers I did not care so much for, but it was terrible to think of the women and children. . . I heard from Smith today; he is quite well, and re covered from his fatigue." In 1834, he married Anna Maria, daughter of Hon. John Mason, of "Clermont," Fairfax County, in old Christ Church, Alexandria. They went to Arlington, where the festivities were continued. Lieutenant Robert Lee and his friends took part in this old Vir ginia frolic. Seven young men were bivouacked in one room at Arlington. Captain Canfleld, one of the number, made much fun for the party. In the morn ing the negro servant made so much noise on the bare floor, bringing wood and making fires, that Can- field called out, "Moses, why not come up on a pony ?" At this point Mr. Custis threw wide open the door and called out, "Sleep no more; Macbeth hath 200 STRATFORD AND THE LEES murdered sleep." Every night, before the party re tired, punch was bounteously dispensed from a punch-bowl, which had belonged to General Wash ington. In the bottom of the bowl was a painting of a ship, the hull resting on the bottom, and the mast projecting to the brim. The rule was to drink down to the brim — a rule strictly observed. As this bowl has a history, it may be stated that it was presented to General Washington, by Colonel Fitz hugh, a former aide-de-camp, who afterward left Virginia and settled in the Genesee Valley, in West ern New York." Captain Sydney Smith and Anna Maria (Mason) had seven children. I— Fitzhugh 7. See page 298. II — Sidney Smith 7, born at Georgetown, D. C, the 10th of February, 1837; died the 15th of Aprfl, 1888. Was in the navy ; served on the Confederate cruiser "Shenandoah" under Captain Waddell. He never married. Ill — John Mason 7, born at "Cleremont," January 24, 1839, joined the cavalry in 1861, and was wound ed on the way to Gettysburg, rose to the rank of Major and was with the army at the surrender at Appomattox, married October 25, Nora Bankhead, of Orange County, and by her had five chfldren. (1) Nannie Mason 8, born 1877, resides with her father unmarried. (2) Dorothea Bankhead 8, born 1874, married, February, 1907, I. Linwood Austin, and have two children. (3) Bessie Winston 8, bom 1877, married, Octo ber, 1900, C. P. Cardwefl and have three chfldren. They reside at Signal Hifl, Hanover County, Va. SIXTH GENERATION 201 (4) John Mason 8, born 1878, married, Aprfl 19, 1910, Rachel Trimble, of Augusta County, Va. (5) W. Bankhead 8, born 1882, resides on his farm in Stafford County, Va. Unmarried. IV — Henry Carter 7, bom at "Clermont," January 9th, 1842, married, September 24th, Safly Buchanan, daughter of John Warfield Johnston, who now re sides in Richmond, Va. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he joined the "Richmond Howitzers," and later was transferred to the staff of General W. C. Wick ham, where he served as Adjutant General. He died in Richmond, Virginia, June 6th, 1889, and is buried at Alexandria, Va. His children were : (1) Johnston Lee 8, born at Abingdon, Va., April 14th, 1870, died unmarried in Richmond, Va., June 25th, 1909, and is buried at Wythvifle, Va. (2) Sydney Smith Lee 8, born at Abingdon, Va., September 20th, 1871, resides in Richmond, unmar ried. (3) Wifliam Floyd Lee 8, bom at Abingdon, Va., September 5th, 1873, resides in New York City, un married. (4) Ann Mason Lee 8, born at Abingdon, Va., July 10, 1877, resides in Richmond, Va., unmarried. These children are great neices and nephews to both General Joseph E. Johnston and General Robert E. Lee. V — Daniel Murray 7, born at Alexandria, Va., July 14, 1843, and at sixteen years of age entered the Vir ginia Military Institute. While there, he was given an appointment to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., to enter June, 1861. In the mean time, Virginia having seceded, he left the V. M. I., in April, for Richmond with the corps cadets to drill 202 STRATFORD AND THE LEES troops at the Fair Grounds, was then sent to Manas sas as drill master in Whitings Brigade. After that battle, he was commissioned as midshipman in C. S. Navy, and ordered to Norfolk, Va. Served in the navy until the naval brigade was captured at Sailor's Creek, when he escaped during the confusion and joined the cavalry and was assigned to his brother Fitzhugh's staff with the rank of Captain, where he served until the surrender at Appomattox. Saw service in the army at Manassas and Appomattox, and in the navy was in the following engagements: Hampton Roads, Monitor and Merrimac, Drury's Bluff, Naval attack on Fort Sumpter and Morris Island, the capture of the United States Steamer, Underwriter, capture of Plymouth, N. C. In the trenches around Richmond, with sailors in charge of guns, at Cold Harbor fight, and in the attack on Fort Fisher, N. C. In June, 1865, he entered the Merchant Marine, at Baltimore, where he remained until 1872, when he settled on his farm, "Highland Home," in Stafford County, Va., where he now resides. On October 14, 1874, he married Nannie E., daugh ter of Joseph Burwefl Ficklin, and by her had six children. (1) Daniel Maury, Jr., 8, born at "Anchorage," Stafford County, September 11, 1876. Lives un married on his farm at Wide Water, Va. (2) Joseph Burwell Ficklin 8, born at "Anchor age," Stafford County, Va., December 6, 1877. Un married in charge of Mrs. Phoebe Hearst's Ranch, "Blanco Pedro," San Simeon, California. (3) Edna Corbin 8, born at "Anchorage," Staf ford County, Va., September 29, 1879. Unmarried. SIXTH GENERATION 203 (4) Sydney Smith 8, born at "Anchorage," Staf ford County, Va., March 13, 1881. Unmarried, 1st lieutenant in U. S. Marine Corps. (5) Mary Custis 8, born at "Highland Home," Stafford County, Va., April 15, 1884. Unmarried. (6) Harry Fitzhugh 8, born at "Highland Home," Stafford County, Va., March 21, 1891. Unmarried, is a cadet at V. M. I., Lexington, Va. VI — Robert Carter 7, born at "Cleremont," No vember 17th, 1848. Died in Fredericksburg, Va., December 5, 1904, and is buried in the family lot at Alexandria, Va. Was in the confederate service, 1864-5. VII — Elizabeth Mason 7, born at "Cleremont," February 17th, 1853, and died when seven months old. 204 STRATFORD AND THE LEES Robert Edward Lee. Robert Edward 6, the fourth son of Henry 5, (Henry 4, Henry 3, Richard 2, Richard 1) , and Ann Hifl Carter, his second wife, was bom at Stratford, Westmoreland County, the 19th day of January, 1807, and died at his home in Lexington, the 12th of October, 1870. When Robert Lee was about four years old, his father moved with his family to Alex andria, where they lived, first, on Cameron Street near old Christ Church, next on Orinoco Street, and, lastly, in the house on north Washington Street, now used as the parsonage of Christ Church. When only eleven years old, he lost his father, who, prior to his death, had been absent from home for several years. SIXTH GENERATION 205 so Robert Lee was reared almost entirely under the watchful and loving care of his mother. It is said she taught him, from his earliest childhood, to "prac tice self-denial, and self-control, as well as the strict est economy in all financial concerns," traits which he ever exhibited through life. Miss Emily V. Mason, in her Popular Life of Gen eral Lee, tells this of his loving care of his mother: "This good mother was a great invalid; one of his sisters was delicate, and many years absent in Phila delphia, under the care of physicians. The eldest son, Carter, was at Cambridge, Sydney Smith in the navy, and the other sister too young to be of much aid in household matters. So Robert was the house keeper, carried the keys, attended to the marketing, managed all the out-door business, and took care of his mother's horses. "At the hour when other school-boys went to play, he hurried home to order his mother's drive and would there be seen carrying her in his arms to the carriage, and arranging hdr cushions with the gentle ness of an experienced nurse. One of his relatives, who was often the companion of these drives tells us of the exertions he would make on these occasions to entertain and amuse his mother, assuring her, with the gravity of an old man, that unless she was cheerful the drive would not benefit her. When she complained of cold or 'draughts,' he would pull from his posket a great jack-knife and newspapers, and make her laugh with his efforts to improvise curtains, and shut out the intrusive wind, which whistled through the crevices of the old family coach. "When he left her to go to the West Point, his 206 STRATFORD AND THE LEES mother was heard to say; 'How can I live without Robert ? He is both son and daughter to me.' "Years after, when he came home from West Point, he found one of the chief actors of his child hood's drama — his mother's old coachman, 'Nat' — ill, and threatened with consumption. He immedi ately took him to the milder climate of Georgia, nursed him with the tenderness of a son, and secured him the best medical advice. But the spring-time saw the faithful old servant laid in the grave by the hands of his kind young master." Robert Lee was educated at private schools in Alexandria, Va., and prepared for entrance into the military school at West Point, for from earliest youth he seems to have desired to enter the army. His first teacher was Mr. William B. Leary, an Irish man, who lived to meet his pupil after the war. Next he went to the once famous mathematical school, kept by Benjamin Hallowell; of his school days, Mr. Hallowell has left this memorandum : "Robert Lee entered my school in Alexandria, Va., in the winter of 1824-25, to study mathematics, pre paratory to his going to West Point. He was a most exemplary student in every respect. He was never behind time at his studies, never failed in a single recitation, was perfectly observant of the rules and regulations of the institution; was gentlemanly, un obtrusive, and respectful in all his deportment to teachers and fellow-students. His specialty was finishing up. He imparted a neatness and finish to everything he undertook. One of the branches of mathematics he studied with me was conic sections, in which some of the diagrams were very complicat ed. He drew the diagrams on a slate, and although SIXTH GENERATION 207 he well knew that the one he was drawing would have to be removed to make room for the next, he drew each one with as much accuracy and finish, lettering and all, as if it were to be engraved and printed. The same traits he exhibited at my school he carried with him to West Point, where I have been told, he never received a mark of demerit, and grad uated at the head of his class." General Lee entered West Point in 1825, and grad uated second, (not first, as frequently stated) in his class, in 1829. He received an appointment as sec ond lieutenant in the corps of military engineers ; in 1835, he served upon a commission for settling the boundary between Ohio and Michigan; was made first lieutenant in 1836, and captain in 1838. In 1846, he was appointed chief engineer on the staff of Gen eral Wool, in Mexico, and the next year was bre ve tted major for gallantry at the battle of Cerro Gordo, and, for services at Contreras and Churubus- co, was brevetted lieutenant-colonel in 1847. At the battle of Chapultapec he was wounded and brevetted colonel. After this war was over, he was appointed superintendent of the Military Academy at West Point, and filled the position from 1852 to 1855. In 1858, he was with Albert Sydney Johnston, fighting the Indians in Texas. His last service in the "old army," was the capture of John Brown and his band, at Harper's Ferry, at the close of 1859. It is useless and unnecessary to describe in this connection the military life of General Lee during the thirty years he served in the United States army; it is sufficient to say that every duty was fulfilled with scrupulous fidelity, and that he rose steadily from grade to grade, rewarded at each pro- 208 STRATFORD AND THE LEES motion by the encomiums of his superior ofl[icers. General Scoot entertained the greatest admiration for him as a man and a soldier. A gentleman has stated that he had frequently heard him speak "in the very highest terms of Robert E. Lee as a soldier and Christian gentleman, but that on one occasion, when in the course of a confidential interview, he asked the direct question: 'General, whom do you regard as the greatest living soldier ?' Without hesi tation, and with marked emphasis, General Scott re plied: 'COLONEL ROBERT E. LEE is not only the greatest soldier of America, but the greatest soldier now living in the world. This is my deliber ate conviction, from a full knowledge of his extra ordinary abilities, and, if the occasion ever arises, Lee will win this place in the estimation of the whole world.' The general then went into a detailed sketch of Lee's services, and a statement of his ability as an engineer, and his capacity not only to plan cam paigns, but also to command large armies in the field, and concluded by saying : 'I TELL YOU, SIR, ROB-. ERT E. LEE IS THE GREATEST SOLDIER NOW LIVING, AND IF HE EVER GETS THE OPPOR TUNITY HE WILL PROVE HIMSELF THE GREATEST CAPTAIN OF HISTORY.' " General Lee took no part in the political discus sions which agitated the country prior to the out break of hostilities between the States. He was op posed to secession, but promptly resigned from the old army when it became a question as to whether he should fight for or against his native State. On that issue he had no doubts. Consequently, upon the seces sion of Virginia, and the firing upon Fort Sumter, he handed in his resignation, and offered his sword to SIXTH GENERATION 209 defend his native Virginia. His father before him, ardent Federalist as he was, had said: "Virginia is my country : her will I obey, however lamentable the fate to which it may subject me." Again his father had declared that "no consideration on earth could induce me to act a part, however gratifying to me, which could be construed into disregard or faithless ness to this Commonwealth." The son therefore acted in strict accordance with the principals of the father, which, it would be safe to say, had been shar ed by the majority of the patriots of the Revolution. When testifying before a committee of Congress, after the war. General Lee stated that he had re signed because he believed that "the act of Virginia in withdrawing herself from the United States car ried me along with it as a citizen of Virginia, and that her laws and acts were binding upon me." Though his own duty in this crisis was clearly mark ed out for him in his own conscience, he never sought to decide for others, not even for his own son. In writing to his own wife from Richmond, under date of 13th of May, 1861, he wrote: " Tefl Custis he must consult his own judgment, reason, and con science as to the course he may take. I do not wish him to be guided by my wishes or example. If I have done wrong, let him do better. The present is a momentous question, which every man must settle for himself and upon principle." In a letter to the Hon. Reverdy Johnson, under date of 25th February, 1868, General Lee stated clearly his position and his sentiments, which led him to resign from the army and to refuse the most tempting offers. He used these words : "I never intimated to anyone that I desired the 210 STRATFORD AND THE LEES command of the United States Army, nor did I ever have a conversation with but one gentleman, Mr. Francis Preston Blair, on the subject, which was at his invitation, and I understood, at the instance of the President. After listening to his remarks, I de clined the offer he made me to take command of the army that was to be brought in the field, stating, as candidly and as courteously as I could, that, though opposed to secession and deprecating war, I could take no part in an invasion of the Southern States. "I went directly from the interview with Mr, Blair to the office of General Scott — told him of the prop osition that had been made to me and my decision. Upon reflection after returning home, I concluded that I ought no longer to retain any commission I held in the United States Army, and on the second morning thereafter I forwarded my resignation to General Scott." This letter was as follows: "Arlington, Va., 20th Aprfl, 1861, General, — Since my interview with you on the 18th inst,, I have felt that I ought no longer to retain my commission in the army. I, therefore, tender my resignation, which I request you will recommend for acceptance. It would have been presented at once, but for the struggle it has cost me to separate my self from a service to which I have devoted afl the best years of my life, and afl the abflity I possessed. During the whole of that time, more than a quarter of a century, I have experienced nothing but kind ness from my superiors, and the most cordial friend ship from my comrades. To no one General, have I been as much indebted as to yourself for uniform kindness and consideration; and it has always been SIXTH GENERATION 211 my ardent desire to merit your approbation. I shaU carry to the grave the most grateful recollections of your kind consideration, and you name and fame will always be dear to me. Save in the defense of my native State, I never desire again to draw my sword. Be pleased to accept my utmost earnest wishes for the continuance of your happiness and prosperity, and believe me most truly yours, etc." "To Lieut-General, Winfield Scott, Commanding U. S, Army." In casting his lot with his native State, General Lee acted with full consciousness of the gravity of the crisis. He entertained no illusions, such as some on each side professed to hold, that the war would be brief and of little importance ; nor did he believe that a civil war could be avoided. Writing to his wife from Richmond, under the date of 13th May, 1861, he warned her : "Do not put faith in rumors of adjustment, I see no prospect for it. It cannot be while the passions on both sides are so infuriated. Make your plans for several years of war," At an other time he said : " Both sides forget that we are all Americans, and that it must be a terrible struggle if it comes to war," The following correspondence is interesting, Dr, May was a Pennsylvanian by birth, but had been many years a professor of the Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church in Virginia, situ ated near Alexandria : "Alexandria, 23rd, April, 1861, My dear Robert, — The enclosed letter was written to me, as you will see, in consequence of a remark 212 STRATFORD AND THE LEES I made to Dr, Sparrow, which he reported to the writer, Dr, May, that I hoped your connection with the Virginia forces, if you concluded to accept the command, might lead to some peaceful settlements to our difficulties. I hoped this from the friendship between yourself and General Scott. I have only time now to enclose you Dr. May's letter, and to offer my earnest prayer that God may make you instru mental in saving our land from this dreadful strife. In haste. Yours truly, "Col. Lee." CASSIUS F. LEE." "Theological Seminary of Va., 22, Aprfl, 1861. My dear sir, — I am sure of your sympathy with me in the motive of what I now write, even though you may think me presumptions and lacking in judg ment. Two considerations prompt me; one, an Edi torial in the 'National Intefligencer,' of today, plac ed by yourself in Dr. Sparrow's hands and read by him to me a few minutes ago, the other a suggestion that Col. Lee, now to be put in command of the Vir ginia troops, might, by God's blessing, bring peace to our distracted country. 0, how my heart leaped at the thought! How many thousands, yea millions, would rise up to bless the man that should bring this to pass . "I may be stepping out of my line in offering a word on the subject. But my heart is full, and I know you at least are willing to give me your atten tion. Who knows but that your cousin may be raised up by God for such a time as this ? Could he bring about, at least, an armistice, preparatory to a Nation al Assembly for a peaceful settlement of our troubles, how many hearts would he relieve and how SIXTH GENERATION 213 large his share in the blessedness of peacemakers. I do not enter into the political considerations of the matter. That is not my province. It may suffice to say that, so far as became me, whether in the North or in the South, I always gave my opinion against the or ganization and the proposed measures of the party now controlling the General Administration. I always held that organization to be not only needless, but mischievious. When it became so sectionally domin ant, I hoped still that the more thoughtful members of it would shape its course. They seem to have been overborne. The unfortunate Proclamation of the President, and the measures which were its im mediate antecedents, have utterly disappointed me and saddened me. But as I said, I do not enter into the political aspect of the great question now before us. I would regard it as a Christian should and especially a Christian minister. "My feeble voice I lift for peace. I have often turned my thoughts to Col. Lee. The world knows his service in the Mexican War. Years ago I asked my brother-in-law. Major A. H. Bowman (now of West Point,) what army officers thought of him as a soldier? I remember well his emphatic answer. If those who were with him (Col. Lee) in Mexico, should answer, they would unanimously declare him to be, in all military qualifications, without a rival in the service. But my interest in him was quick ened by hearing of his Christian character. During his absence in Mexico, I visited his family at Arling ton, and heard from Mrs. Lee, allusions to his private letters. I received then my opinion of him as a Christian, and have had my eye on him ever since. May we not hope that God has put him in his pres- 214 STRATFORD AND THE LEES ent position to be an instrument of abating the storm which now threatens shipwreck to the whole coun try? It is sad that so few of our public men are Christians. Col. Lee is a grand exception. I know, in an official post, which is not that of head of the government, he would find it difficult to follow the private promptings of his own Christian mind, for a soldier's business is not to advise his superiors but to obey. But great respect would be shown to the judgment and Christian spirit of one so distinguish ed as he. Virginia gave us our original independence through her Washington. She gave us our National Constitution through Jefferson, Madison and others. Can she not now, while we are threatened with the immeasurable evils of civil war, give us through Col. Lee peace? In common with other States, she may justly complain of wrongs. But will civfl war repair them? Christianity teaches not only the duty, but the wisdom of patience and forgiveness. Virginia, from her geographical position, from her glorious share in the past and from her great politi cal weight, has it in her power (am I presumptions in saying it?) to come as a mediator, rather as an umpire and settle the question, not only for the hap piness of the whole country, but for her own special property. Should Col. Lee be. a leader in this matter and place his native State in this grand position (which I must think she could hold) , he wifl have an honor never reached by Napoleon or Wellington. If Virginia may not call back the people of the con tinent to union, she yet may to peace. Standing apart from others, she would not, could not be in vaded. She could be a healer or a peacemaker, and have afl the blessedness of such an office. The wis- SIXTH GENERATION 215 dom of seniors has not been aflowed its part in our great questions. Young, impetuous spirits seem to be leading the mind of the country. Especially has not the Christian mind, the Church, been heard. Its voice must be for peace. Our sins may be too great to allow us to have again the blessedness of a united country, but may we not have peace? Is there not moral power in the Christion mind of the country to stay the hand of fraternal strife ? How many wives, mothers, widows, sisters, how many quiet, peaceful citizens of all classes sigh for peace. How many families, now separated by wide geographical dis tances, would be divided in a way far more painful and dreadful by civil war? No quiet citizen, no Christian, can think of it without a fainting heart. During the civil wars of England, in the times of the Commonwealth, Lord Falkland was known in all Britian as one of the bravest men ever born in that land. After he had seen the indescribable wretchedness of the people of his native country in the strife of brothers, he would sit abstracted among his friends, and, sighing from the depth of his heart, exclaim, 'Peace, Peace.' I dare not say Col. Lee may bring us peace. The Lord can only do that. We may have so sinned that the wrath of God must lie upon us and make us suffer the awful judgment now threatening. How do all Christian sentiments, how do all the interests of the Christian Church, how do all our interests cry for peace.' "I do not say the Gospel forbids war absolutely. Its direct primary call is to peace : 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.' From my inmost soul, I pray that in this our day of trial, that blessedness may be enjoyed by 216 STRATFORD AND THE LEES Col. Lee. In thus writing, do I seem to be a meddler ? I am not so in purpose and motive. Perhaps I mis take my calling. I think, as a Christian and a Chris tian minister, I cannot err in wishing and praying for peace. Our great national questions cannot be settled except in time of peace. O, may that peace come now, at the beginning, instead of the end of a fearful conflict. So praying, I am sure of your sympathy, and subscribe myself, most sincerely your friend, JAMES MAY." "C. F. Lee, Esqr. "Richmond, 25, April, 1861. "My dear Cassius,— I have received your letter of the 23rd. I am sorry your nephew has left his col lege and become a soldier. It is necessary that per sons on my staff should have a knowledge of their duties and experience of the wants of the service, to enable me to attend to other matters. It would otherwise give me great pleasure to take your nephew. I shall remember him if anything can be done. "I am much obliged to you for Dr. May's letter. Express to him my gratitude for his sentiments, and tell him that no earthly act would give me so much pleasure, as to restore peace to my country. But I fear it is now out of the power of man, and in God alone must be our trust. I think our policy should be purely on the defensive. To resist aggression and aflow time to allay the passions and reason to resume her sway. Virginia has today, I understood, joined the Confederate States. Her policy will doubtless, therefore, be shaped by united counsels. I cannot SIXTH GENERATION 217 say what it wifl be. But trust that a merciful Provi dence will not turn his face entirely from us and dash us from the height to which his smfles had raised us. "I wanted to say many things to you before I left home. But the event was rendered so imperatively speedy that I could not. May God preserve you and yours. Very truly, R. E. Lee." So, failing to secure peace. General Lee prepared for war with afl the ability he possessed. How well he served his State, it is not necessary to describe in a sketch of this nature; as Dr. Field has said, "The world knows it by heart." Colonel Chesney, of the English army, believes: "The day will come when the evil passions of the great civil war will sleep in oblivion, and the North and South do justice to each other's motives, and forget each other's wrongs. Then history will speak with clear voice of the deeds done on either side, and the citizens of the whole Union do justice to the memories of the dead, and place above all others the name of the great chief of whom we have written. In strategy, mighty ; in battle, terrible ; in adversity, as in prosperity, a hero indeed; with the simple de votion to duty and the rare purity of the ideal Chris tian knight, — he joined all the kingly qualities of a leader of men. It is a wonderous future indeed that lies before America; but in her annals of the years to come, as in those of the past, there will be found few names that can rival in unsullied lustre that of the heroic defender of his native Virginia, Robert Edward Lee." Leaving Lee, the general to the historian, it is the design of this brief sketch to tell something of 218 STRATFORD AND THE LEES the characteristics of the man. In pursuance of this purpose, some few of his letters, written in the con fidence of friendship, or with the love of the parent, are quoted, whole or in part, as best fulfills this idea. Extracts might be taken from some of the numerous and most eloquent eulogies that have been paid Gen eral Lee, since his death, by the most gifted orators of the South. Anyone of these would furnish a com plete and eloquent sketch of the man and the soldier. Yet they might all be considered the biased opinions of personal friends, or due to sectional pride. It seems better, therefore to give the impressions of a stranger of one not partial through friendship or sectional pride. In the summer of 1889, the Rev, Henry M, Field, a northern man, the gifted editor of the "New York Evangelist," visited Lexington, and wrote two letters to his paper, giving fully the im pressions he had gathered there of General Lee's personality from the lips of those who knew him most intimately. Extracts from these two letters are given ; parts being omitted which are less closely connected with General Lee. The first letter is headed : "The Last Years of General Lee." " 'The last hope of the Confederacy was dead when Stonewall Jackson was laid in his grave at Lexing ton.' So said the Major after he had taken the greater part of a day in detailing to me, to my in tense interest, the marvelous career of the great soldier. But not so reasoned afl those who had fought by Jackson's side. Not so Jackson himself; for when, on hearing of his wound, Lee wrote to him, 'Could I have directed events, I should have chosen. SIXTH GENERATION 219 for the good of the country, to have been disabled in your stead,' answered "No, No! Better loose twenty Jacksons than one Lee!' And now though Jackson was dead, Lee still lived, and hope lived with him ; victory was stifl possible ; and in that faith, and under that leadership the Confederates fought on for two years more. (Jackson died on the 10th of May, 1863; but Lee did not surrender until the 9th of April, 1865) . How well they fought is a matter of his tory. They fought as they could not have fought, had they not been led by a great Commander. Some, I know, assume to criticise the strategy shown in his campaigns. To such I have only to say that it is a very poor compliment to our leaders and our armies, to question the abilities of one who, with less than half the numbers, kept back for two years the tremendous forces of the North that were pressing in on every side. Whatever others may say of General Lee, the great soldiers who fought against him fully concede his splendid military genius. But it is not the purpose of this letter to speak of his military career. "That belongs to history. 'The world knows it by heart.' But there is a chapter in that life which the world does not know so well, which ought to be told, to the greater honor of the illustrious dead. The war was over. The Northern armies had re turned victorious, while the veterans of the South, defeated, but not dishonored, took their way back to their desolate homes. The army disbanded and dis persed, what should its leader do? His old ances- teral home, standing on the noble height which looks down on the Potomac and across to the dome of the Capital, was in the hands of those against whom he 220 STRATFORD AND THE LEES had been fighting for four years, and had even been turned into a national cemetery, in which slept thousands of the Union dead, whose very ghosts might rise up against his return. But if he was an exile from his own home, there were thousands of others open to him all over the South, and across the sea where his fame had gone before him, and would have made him a welcome guest in princely halls. But such a flight from his country (for so he would have regarded it) was impossible to one of his chival rous spirit. He had cast in his lot with his people ; they had believed in him and had followed him, as they thought, to certain triumph; he would not de sert them in the day of their adversity. "Of course, had he been willing to listen to them, he could have received any number of 'business' pro posals. Rich, moneyed corporations would have been glad to 'retain' him at any price as President or Di rector, so that they could have the benefit of his great name. One, it is said, offered him $50,000 a year. But he was not to be aflured by such tempta tions.. The very fact that they were coupled with offers of money was reason enough why he should reject them afl, as he did, without a moments hesita tion. Nor could he be aflured by any military pro posals. Maximflian offered to place him at the head of his army if he would go to Mexico, thinking that his genius might save the fortunes of the falling empire. But he would not accept any exile, however splendid. His answer was, 'I love the mountains of Virginia stifl.' His work must be at home, for work he must have. After his active life, he would not sink down into ildeness. With his military career ended, he must find a new career in civil life. Be- SIXTH GENERATION 221 sides, he had a proud spirit of independence, which would not permit him to live on the bounty of the rich at home or the titled abroad. 'He would work for a living,' like the poorest of his soldiers. At length came a proposal that seemed most alien to his former pursuits ; that the Commander of the South ern Armies should become the President of a college. And yet this change from a military to an academic career was not so violent as it might seem. He had been for three years Superintendent of the Military Academy at West Point, where he was associated with young men. He had been himself a student there, and had been through all the stages of schol arly discipline. Besides, the position of the college to which he was invited, in Lexington, Virginia, was attractive to him. It was remote from cities, among the mountains, and yet within the limits of that 'Old Dominion,' which he looked upon as his mother. "When it was known that he had accepted the position, his coming was looked for with great eager ness by the people of Lexington; but he did not fix the time, as he wished to avoid any public demon stration. But it had been arranged that when he came he should spend a few days in the hospitable dwelling in which I was so fortunate as to be a guest. While thus in expectancy, the Professor was one day taking a walk, when he saw riding up the street, a flgure that he instantly recognized as the same he had so often seen at the head of the army; and to make the picture perfect, he was mounted on his old war horse — a magnificent iron gray, called 'Traveler' — that had so often borne his master through the smoke of battle. He wore no mflitary uniform, nor sign of rank, but a light summer dress, whfle a broad 222 STRATFORD AND THE LEES Panama hat shaded a face that no one could mistake. Advancing toward him, the professor told of the arrangements for his entertainment till he could be established in a house for himself, and led the way to his home. Naturally my friend's family were at first somewhat aiwed by the presence of their iUus- trious guest. But this was soon dissipated by his simple and unaffected manner. What 'broke the ice' most completely was his manner with the children. He was always very fond of little people, and as soon as they appeared, 'Uncle Robert' as he was affection ately called in the army, had them in his arms and on his knees, till they soon felt perfectly at home with him. They 'captured' him at once, and he 'captured' them, and in this captured their parents also. From that moment all constraint disappeared, though nothing could ever take from the profound respect and veneration with which they looked up to 'General Lee.' "This was in September, 1865, and on the 2d of October, after solemn prayer by the venerable Dr, White, he took the oath of office, as required by the laws of the coflege, and thus became its President. Naturally his name drew great numbers of students, not only from Virginia, but from afl parts of the South, who were eager to 'serve' under such a leader, and the number of undergraduates rose from one hundred and fifty to over four hundred In one respect his influence was immeasurable. Every man in the South looked up to General Lee as the highest type of manhood, and his very presence was an inspiration. This is the influence which young men feel more than any other — that inspired by in tense admiration — an influence that would have been SIXTH GENERATION 223 very potent if the object of their admiration had been merely a great soldier, dazzling them by his genius, but destitute of high principals. Had that been the case, his influence would have been demoral izing as now it was elevating, since his superiority in other respects was united with a character that was so gentle and so good. That he might reach the young, he sought their acquaintance, not standing apart in icy dignity. Professor White tells me that, if they were walking together in the college grounds, and a student was seen approaching, he would ask who he was, and when he came up, instead of pass ing him with a stately bow, would stop and call him by name, and ask him about his family and his studies, and speak a few words of encouragement, which the young man would not forget to his dying day. To be under the authority and influence of such a man was an education in manliness. There was not a student who did not feel it, and to whom it was not the highest ambition to be guided by such a leader, to be infused with his spirit, and to follow his example "He knew that whatever fell from his lips would be repeated, and not always as he had said it, but with a change of words, or in a different tone of voice, that might give it another meaning. Indeed, with all his caution, he was often quoted in saying what he did not say. As an illustration. Professor White told me that a story had gone the rounds of the papers to the effect that in a conversation. Gen eral Lee had brought his clenched hands down on the table, to give emphasis to his utterance, as he said, 'If I had had Stonewall Jackson with me, I should have won the battle of Gettysburg and estab- 224 STRATFORD AND THE LEES lished the Southern Confederacy.' Now said the professor, without ever asking him, I know that such an occurrence never took place, for in the first place General Lee 'never brought his hand down on the table' — he was not that sort of a man — it is im possible to conceive of him as using any violence of gesture or of language. And as to Stonewall Jack son, while he did feel keenly the absence of that great corps commander, he was not the man to in dulge in sweeping and positive statements ; he never spoke with such absolute assurance of anything, but always with a degree of reserve, as once, when we were riding together, he said in his usual guarded and cautious manner; 'If I had had Stonewall Jack son with me — so far as man can see— I should have won the battle of Gettysburg.' So careful was he to put in this qualification: for he always recognized an overruling Power that may disappoint the wisest calculations, and defeat the most careful combina tions of courage and skill." "THE CHARACTER OF GENERAL LEE." "My last letter left us in the coflege Chapel at Lex ington, gazing upon the recumbent statue of Gen eral Lee. Whfle standing here, in the very presence of the dead, I am moved to say a few words in regard to the life that ended in his tomb, and the character of the man whose name is carved upon this stone. As I read history, and compare the men who have figured in the events that make history — in wars and revolutions — it seems to me that General Lee was not only a great soldier, but a great man, one of the greatest that our country has produced. After his SIXTH GENERATION 225 death, the college which had hitherto borne the name of Washington, by whom it was endowed, was re- christened 'Washington and Lee University' — a com bination which suggests a comparison of the two men whose names are here brought together. Can we trace any likeness between them? At first it seems that no characters, as well as no careers, could be more alien to each other than those of the two great leaders, one of whom the Founder of the Government which the other did his utmost to de stroy. But nature brings forth her children in strange couples, with resemblances in some cases as marked, and as yet unexpected, as are contrasts in others, Washington and Lee, though born in dif ferent centuries, were children of the same mother. Old Virginia and had her best blood in their veins. Descended from the stock of the English Cavaliers, both were born 'gentleman,' and never could be any thing else. Both were trained in the school of war, and as leader of armies it would not be a violent assumption to rank Lee as the equal of Washington. But it is not in the two soldiers, but in the two men, that the future historian will find point of resem blance. "Washington was not a brifliant man ; nor a 'man of genius,' such as now and then appears to dazzle mankind; but he had what was far better than genius — a combination of all the qualities that win human trust ; in which intelligence is so balanced by judgment and exhalted by character as to constitute a natural superiority; indicating one who is born to command, and to whom all men turn, when their hearts are 'failing them for fear,' as a leader. He was great not only in action, but in repose ; great in 226 STRATFORD AND THE LEES his very calm — in the fortitude with which he bore himself through all changes of fortune, through dangers and disasters, neither elated by victory nor depressed by defeat — mental habitudes which many will recognize as re-appearing in the one who seems to have formed himself upon that great model. Washington was distinguished for his magnanimity. Was not Lee also ? Men in public station are apt to be sensitive to whatever concerns their standing be fore the world; and so, while taking to themselves the credit of success, they are strongly tempted to throw upon others the blame of failure. Soldiers especially are jealous of their reputation; and if a commander loses a battle his first impluse is to cast the odium of defeat upon some unfortunate officer. Somebody blundered; this or that subordinate did not do his duty. Mflitary annals are filled with these recriminations. If Napoleon met with a check in his mighty plans he had no scruple in laying it to the misconduct of some lieutenant ; unless, as in Russia, he could throw it upon the elements, the wintry snows and the frozen rivers — anything to relieve himself from the imputation of the want of fore sight or provision for unexpected dangers. At Water loo it was not he that failed in his strategy, but Marshal Ney, that failed in the execution. In this respect General Lee was exactly his opposite. If he suffered a disaster he never sought to evade respon- sibflity by placing it upon others. Even in the greatest reverse of his life, the defeat at Gettys burg, when he saw the famous charge of Pickett melt away under the terrible flre that swept the field, till the ranks were literafly torn in pieces by shot and shefl, he did not vent his despair in rage and re- SIXTH GENERATION 227 proaches, but rushing to the front, took the blame upon himself, saying, 'It is afl my fault.' Perhaps no incident of his life showed more the nobility of his nature. "When the war was over General Lee had left to him at Lexington, about the same number of years that Napoleon had at St. Helena; and if he had had the same desire to pose for posterity in the part of an illustrious exile, his mountain home would have furnished as picturesque a background as the rocky island in the South Atlantic, from which he could have dictated 'Conversations' that should furnish the materials of history. He need not have written or published a single line, if he had only been willing to let others do it for him. By their pens he had oppor tunity to tell of the great part he had acted in the war in a way to make the whole chain of events con tribute to his fame. But he seemed to care little for fame, and, indeed, was unmoved when others claimed the credit of his victories. If it be, as Pascal say.^, 'the truest mark of a great mind to be born without envy,' few men in history have shown more of this greatness than he. And when, as was sometimes the case, old companions-in-arms reflected upon him to excuse their own mistakes, he had only to lift the veil from the secrets of history to confound them. But under all temptations he was dumb. Nothing that he did or said was more truly grand than the silence with which he bore the misrepresentations of friend or foe. This required a self-command such as Washington had not to exercise at the end of his military career : for he retired from the scene crown ed with victory, with a whole nation at his feet ready to do him honor, while Lee had to bear the reproach 228 STRATFORD AND THE LEES of the final disaster — a reproach in which friends sometimes joined with foes. Yet to both he answer ed only with the same majestic calm, the outward sign of his magnificent self-control. Such mag nanimity belongs to the very highest order of moral qualities, and shows a character rare in any country or any age. "This impression of the man does not grow less with closer observation. With the larger number of 'great men' the greatness is magnified by distance and separation. As we come nearer they dwindle in statue, till, when we are in their very presence and look them squarely in the face, they are found to be but men like ourselves, and sometimes very ordin ary men — with some special ability, perhaps which gives them success in the world, but who for all that are full of selfishness, which is the very essence of meanness, and puffed up with paltry conceit and van ity that stamps them as little rather than great. Far different was the impression made by General Lee upon those who saw him in the freedom of private intercourse. It might be expected that the soldiers who fought under him should speak with pride and admiration of their old commander; but how did he appear to his neighbors ? Here in Lex ington, everybody knew him, at least by sight. They saw his manner of life from day to day, in his going out and his coming in, and on all the impression was the same ; the nearer he came to them the greater he seemed. Everyone has some anecdote to tefl of him, and it is always of something that was noble and lov able. Those who knew him best loved him most and revered him most. This was not a greatness that was assumed, that was put on like a military cloak ; it was SIXTH GENERATION 229 in the man, and could not be put on or off ; it was the greatness which comes from the very absence of pre tension. And those who came closest to him, give us a stiU further insight into his nature by telling us that what struck them most was the extent of his sympathy. Soldiers are commonly supposed to be cold and hard — a temper of mind to which they are innured by their very profession. Those whose busi ness is the shedding of blood are thought to delight in human suffering. It is hard to believe that a soldier can have a very tender heart. Yet few men were so sensitive to others' pain as General I^oe. All came near him perceived that with his manly strength there was united an almost womanly sweet ness. It was this gentleness which made him great, and which has enshrined him in the heart of his people forever. "This sympathy for the suffering showed itself, not in any public act so much as in a private and delicate office which imposed upon him a very heavy burden — one that he might have declined, but the taking of which showed the man. He had an unlimit ed correspondence. Letters poured in upon him by the hundred and the thousand. They came from all parts of the South, not only from his old companion- in-arms, but from those he had never seen or heard of. Every mother that had lost a son in the war felt that she had a right to pour her sorrow into the ear of one who was not insensible to her grief. Families left in utter poverty appealed to him for aid. Most men would have shrunk from a labor so great as that of answering these letters. Not so General Lee. He read them, not only patiently, as a man performs a disagreeable duty, but with a 230 STRATFORD AND THE LEES tender interest, and so far as was possible, he return ed the kindest answers. If he had little money to give, he could at least give sympathy, and to his old soldiers and their wives and children, it was more than money to know that they had a place in that great heart. "While thus ministering to his stricken people, there is one public benefit which he rendered that ought never to be forgotten. Though the war was over, he still stood in public relations in which he could render an immeasurable service to the whole country. There are no crisis in a nation's life more perilous than those following civil war. The peace that comes after it, is peace only in name, if the passions of the war still live. After our great struggle, the South was full of inflamable materials. The fires were but smoldering in ashes and might break out at any minute, and rage with destructive fury. If the spirit of some had had fufl swing, the passions of the Civfl War would have been not only perpetuated, but increased, and have gone down as an inheritance of bitterness, from generation to generation. This stormy sea of passion, but one man could control. He had no official position, civfl or mflitary. But he was the representative of the 'Lost Cause.' He had led the Southern armies to battle, and he had the unbounded confidence of mfl- lions ; and it was his attitude and his words that did more than any thing else to stifl the angry tempests that the war had left behind. It was the sight of the great chieftain, so calm, so ready to bear the burden with his people, that soothed their anger and their pride ; and made the old soldiers of the Confederacy feel that they could accept what had been accepted SIXTH GENERATION 231 by their leader ; and that, as he had set the example, it was no unworthy sacrifice to become loyal sup porters of the restored American Union. It is there fore not too much to say that it is owing in great measure to General Lee, that the Civfl War has not left a lasting division between the North and the South, and that they form to day one United Country. "These are the greatful memories to be recalled now that he who was so mighty in war, and so gentle in peace, has passed beyond the reach of praise or blame. Do you tell me that he was an 'enemy,' and that by as much as we love our country we ought to hate its enemies ? But there are no enemies among the dead. When the grave closes over those with whom we have been at strife, we can drop our hatreds, and judge of them without passion, and even kindly, as we wish those who come after us to judge of us. In a few years all the contemporaries of General Lee will be dead and gone; the great soldiers that fought with him and that fought against him, wfll alike have passed to the grave ; and then perhaps there will be a nearer approach of feeling between friend and foe. "Ah, yes,' say some who admit his greatness as a soldier and leader, 'if it were not for his ambition, that stopped not at the ruin of his country.' Such is the fatal accusation : "Ceasar was ambitious: If it were so, it was a grievious fault. And grieviously hath Ceasar answered it." "But was that ambition in him which was pa- 232 STRATFORD AND THE LEES triotism in us ? How is it that we who were upborne for four years by a passion for our country, that stopped at no sacrifices, cannot understand that other men, of the same race and blood, could be in spired with the same passion for what they looked upon as their country, and fight for it with the same heroic devotion that we fought for ours? They as well as we, were fighting for an idea : we for union, and they for independence — a cause which was as sacred to them as ours to us. Is it that what was patriotism on one side was ambition on the other? No ; it was not disappointed ambition that cut short that life, but a wound that struck far deeper. One who watched by him in those long night hours, tells me that he died of a broken heart. This is the most touching aspect of the warrior's death; that he did not fall on the field of battle, either in the hour of defeat or victory, but in silent grief for sufferings which he could not relieve. There is something infi nitely pathetic in the way that he entered in the con dition of the whole people, and gave his last strength to comfort those who were fallen and cast down. It was this constant strain of hand and brain and heart that finally snapped the strings of life so that the last view of him as he passes out of sight, is one of un speakable sadness. The dignity is preserved, but it is the dignity of woe. It is the same tall and stately form, yet not wearing the robes of a conqueror, but bowed with sorrows not his own. In the mournful majesty, sflent with a grief beyond words, this great figure passes into history. "There we leave him to the judgment of another generation, that 'standing afar off' may see some things more clearly than we. When the historian of SIXTH GENERATION 233 future ages comes to write the History of the Great Republic, he wifl give the first place to that War of the Revolution, by which our country gained its in dependence, and took its place among the nations of the earth; and the second to the late Civil War, which, begun for separation, ended in a closer and consolidated union. That was the last act in the great drama of our nation's life, in which history cannot forget the part was borne by him whose silent form lies within this sepulchre. "As I took a last look at the sarcophagus, I observed that it bore no epitaph ; no words of praise were carved upon the stone ; only a name, with two dates : Robert Edward Lee, Born January 19, 1807 ; Died October 12, 1870. "That is all; but it is enough: all the rest may be left to the calm, eternal judgment of history." So very many of General Lee's letters have been published that it is a difficult task to select a few for renewed publication, or to choose a few as being the best. However, those to the members of his own immediate family certainly give the closest insight into the true character of the man. Writing to his two eldest sons, from, "Ship Massachusetts, off Lobos, 27, Feb., 1847. "My dear boys : — ^I have received your letters with the greatest pleasure, and, as I always like to talk to you both together, I wfll not separate you in my letters, but write one to you both, I was so much gratified to hear of your progress at school, and that you will continue to advance, and that I shall have 234 STRATFORD AND THE LEES the happiness of finding you much improved in all your studies on my return. I shall not feel my long separation from you, if I find that my absence has been of no injury to you, and that you both have grown in goodness and knowledge, as well as stature. But, ah ! How much I wfll suffer on my return, if the reverse has occured ! You enter all my thoughts, in to all my prayers; and on you, in part, will depend whether I shall be happy or miserable, as you know how much I love you. You must do all in your power to save me from pain. "You will learn by my letter to your grandmother, that I have left Tampico. I saw many things to re mind me of you, though that was not necessary to make me wish you were with me. The river was so calm and beautiful, and the boys were playing about the boats and swimming their ponies. Then there were troops of donkeys carrying water through the streets. They had a kind of saddle, something like a cart saddle, though larger, that carried two ten gallon kegs on each side, which was a load for a donkey. They had no bridles on, but would come along in strings to the river, and as soon as their kegs were filled, start off again. They were fatter and sleeker than any donkeys I have ever seen be fore, and seemed to be better cared for. I saw a great many ponies, too. They were larger than those in the upper country, but did not seem so enduring. I got one to ride around the fortifications. He had a Mexican bit and saddle, and paced delightfully, but every time my sword struck him in the flanks, would jump and try to run off. Several of them had been broken to harness, by Americans, and I saw some teams, in wagons, driven-four-in-hand, well matched and trotting well. SIXTH GENERATION 235 "We had a grand parade on General Scott's arrival. The troops were all drawn up on the river bank, and fired a salute as he passed them. He landed at the market, where lines of sentinels were placed to keep off the crowd. In front of the landing the artillery was drawn up, which received him in the centre of the column, and escorted him through the streets to his lodgings. They had provided a handsome gray horse, richly caparisoned, for him, but he preferred to walk, with his staff around him, and a dragoon led his horse behind us. The windows along the streets we passed were crowded with people, and the boys and girls were in great glee, the Governor's island band playing all the time. There were six thousand soldiers in Tampico. Mr. Barry was the adjutant of the escort. I think you would have enjoyed with me the oranges and sweet potatoes. Major Smith be came so fond of the chocolate, that I could hardly get him away from the house. We only remained there one day. I have a nice stateroom on board this ship ; Joe Johnson and myself occupy it, but my poor Jos is so sick afl the time, I can do nothing with him. I left Jem to come on with the horses, as I was afraid they would not be properly cared for. Vessels were expressly fitted up for the horses, and parties of dragoons detailed to take care of them. I had hoped they would reach here by this time, as I wanted to see how they were fixed. I took every precaution for their comfort, provided them with bran, oats, etc., and had slings made to pass under them and attached to the covering above, so that, if in the heavy sea, they should slip, or be thrown off their feet, they could not f afl. I had to sell my good old horse Jim, as I could not find room for him, or, rather, I did not want to crowd the others. I know I shall want him 236 STRATFORD AND THE LEES when I land. Creole was the admiration of every one at Brazos, and they hardly believed she had car ried me so far, and looked so well. Jem says there is nothing like her in all the country, and I believe he likes her better than Tom or Jerry. The sorrel mare did not appear to be so well after I got to Brazos. I had to put one of the men on her, whose horse had given out, and the saddle hurt her back. She had gotten well, however, before I left, and I told Jem to ride her every day. I hope they may both reach shore again in safety, but I fear they will have a hard time. They will first have to be put aboard a steam boat and carried to the ship that lies about two miles out at sea, then hoisted in, and how we shall get them ashore again, I do not know. Probably throw them overboard and let them swin there. I do not think we shall remain here more than one day longer. General Worth's and General Twigg's divisions have arrived, which include the regulars, and I suppose the volunteers will be coming on every day. We shaU probably go on the 1st down the coast, select a place for debarkation, and make all the arrangements pre paratory to the arrival of the troops. I shall have plenty to do there, and am anxious for the time to come and hope all may be successful. "Tell Rob he must think of me very often, be a good boy, and always love Papa. Take care of Speck and the colts. Mr. Sedwick and officers send their love to you. The ship rolls so that I can scarcely write. You must write to me very often. I am always very glad to hear from you. Be sure I am thinking of you, and that you have the prayers of your affectionate father." SIXTH GENERATION 237 To his eldest son, then a cadet at West Point, he wrote this grand letter. No apology for its re-pub lication is needed. "Arlington House, 5th, April, 1852. My dear Son. — I am just in the act of leaving home for New Mexico. My fine old regiment has been ordered to that distant region, and I must hasten on to see that they are properly cared for. I have but little to add in reply to your letters of March 26, 27, 28. Your letters breathe a true spirit of frankness ; they have given myself and your mother great pleas ure. You must study to be frank with the world. Frankness is the child of honesty and courage. Say just what you mean to do on every occasion, and take it for granted you mean to do right. If a friend asks a favor you should grant it if it is reasonable ; if not, tell him plainly why you cannot. You will wrong him and wrong yourself by equivocation of any kind. Never do a wrong thing to make a friend or keep one. The man who requires you to do so is dearly purchas ed at a sacrifice. Deal kindly, but firmly, with all your classmates; you will find it the policy which wears the best. Above all, do not appear to others what you are not. If you have any fault to find with any one tefl him, not others, of what you complain. There is no more dangerous experiment than that of undertaking to be one thing before a man's face and another behind his back. We should live, act, and say nothing to the injury of anyone. It is not only best as a matter of principle, but it is the path to peace and honor. "In regard to duty, let me, in conclusion of this hasty letter, inform you that nearly a hundred years 238 STRATFORD AND THE LEES ago there was a day of remarkable gloom and dark ness, still known as the dark day — a day when the light of the sun was slowly extinguished, as if by an eclipse. The Legislature of Connecticut was in ses sion, and, as its members saw the unexcepted and unaccountable darkness coming on, they shared the general awe and terror. It was supposed by many that the last day, the day of judgment had come. Some one, in the consternation of the hour, moved an adjournment. Then there arose an old Puritan legislator, Davenport of Stamford, and said; that if the last day had come he desired to be found at his place, doing his duty, and, therefore moved that can dles be brought in, so that the House could proceed with its duty. There was quietness in that man's mind — the quietness of heavenly wisdom and in flexible willingness to obey present duty. Duty, then, is the sublimest word in our language. Do your duty in all things, like that old Puritan. You cannot do more; you should never wish to do less. Never let me or your mother wear one gray hair for any lack of duty on your part." Mrs. Lee once stated that "attention to 'smafl' matters was pre-eminently characteristic of General Lee; and she thought his example, in this respect, might be most profitably studied by the young people of the present day." This trait he exhibited through life ; no detail of anything he had in charge seems to have been considered too trifling to merit his care that it should be thoroughly well done. This is well iflustrated in the following to his wife. Though a thousand mfles from home, he sought to be there in counsel, and to aid her in afl the petty detafls of her SIXTH GENERATION 239 household affairs; he would save her all the worry and all the care he could : "Jefferson Barracks, 20, August, 1855. "I announced on the envelope of my letter of the 17th, dearest M., that yours of the 11th, accompanied by Fitzhugh's affectionate communication of the same date, had just reached me. I have no doubt that my reply to his former letter was carried out by your messenger, who mafled the last. I have, however, hastened to answer his last letter, for it deserved a prompt reply, and hope it may reach him in time before his departure. Our mails are slow. It only goes every day from here to St. Louis, and I find it takes a fortnight for a letter to go and come. I enclosed in my letter of the 17th, to him my check No. 112, dated 1st., Sept., to his order for $200, on Bank of Commerce, in New York; and to you, my check of 22, August, to your order on Farmer's Bk., of Va., at Alex., for $100, and my check of 1, Sept., to the order of Hugh W. Sheffy on same bank for $195. I repeat that you may look out for the letter and on its non-reception, stop payment of the checks at the respective banks. With this I send my check No. 113, of 25th, of Aug., '55, on Bank of Commerce, in New York, to the order of Coflins & Co., Baltimore, for $200, which as you have his bill, I have thought you had better remit to him. You may tefl him that I have deducted $20.00 from his original offer, as the value of the two registers not used, and the cost of workmanship thereby saved; the payment of plaster's bill, hauling, etc., and which if not satisfac tory, I will arrange another time. The bricks and mortar, I was to furnish. The board of his men and 240 STRATFORD AND THE LEES hauling was not much, and was more a convenience to him than an expense. Perhaps $15, would have been enough, and if he say so, I wish you would send him $5. I would rather overpay than underpay mechanics. You wifl have to use the $100 I sent you to pay off all your bills, get the girls to school, and Fitzhugh, (W. H. F. Lee), to C, for I am afraid he is penniless, and I will send you another in time for my dear little Rob, who shall not suffer if I have to sefl the shirt from my back. I am glad he is well again, I trust he may keep so, but I fear you will all have bili ous attacks, I think it is better to write for the fur niture you want from W, P, (West Point) , while Mr, Smith is there ; after he goes I do not know who will attend to it. I suppose, however Mr. Newland and Mr. O'Maher wfll be left. The picture had better come by express. It will not be ready to varnish be fore next spring. I am glad you are going to have the book cases repaired. What wifl you do with the old harpsichord and organ? The former wifl not be appropriate for the room and the latter ought to give place to the hall table at W. P. Renwick could make you another pair of chairs similar to the present, and the lounge, table and four chairs would be sufficient. If you have them made, recollect to have them oiled before being varnished, or the color will be too light. I wish indeed I could be there to help you, but it is impossible. You must have every thing nice and com fortable for your father and friends, and I will enjoy it through you. I mentioned in my last letter the necessity of paying taxes on the Washington lot be fore the end of August, to get the benefit of the dis count. The amt. under the present assessment is between $4 and $5 and is payable at the coflector's SIXTH GENERATION 241 office at the City Hall. It must be paid every July or August, I forget which. You have not mentioned lately anything about Mary's foot. I hope, there fore, it is still improving. Neither did you give me the result of the consultation about the horse's eye. Sometimes an operation in those cases has to be re sorted to, but it ought to be done by a skillful opera tor, I hope in this case it will not be necessary. Give much love to your father and children. Tell Becky she had better come. Goodnight, my Dear M., and believe me always yours. P. S, "I was very glad to see that Hifl Carter, Jr„ of Shirley had taken one of the honors at Wm, and Mary. Who is the A. M. Randolph, of Faquier, whose oration on 'Human Progress,' is so highly spoken of? I am very sorry to see announced this morning the death of Abbot Lawrence. He is a na tional loss. But his deeds live after him." While the approaching storm of civil war was as yet hardly visible, even as a tiny cloud in the political sky, General Lee wrote to his wife of the evils of slavery and his views as to the proper methods for their emancipations: "Fort Brown, Texas, 27th, December, 1856. The steamer has arrived from New Orleans, bring ing full files of papers and general intelligence from the 'States'. I have enjoyed the former very much, and, in absence of particular intelligence, have pe rused with much interest the series of the Alexan dria Gazette from the 20th, of November to the 8th, of December, inclusive. Besides the usual good read ing matter, I was interested in the relation of local affairs, and inferred, from the ordinary and quiet course of events, that aU the neighborhood was going 242 STRATFORD AND THE LEES on wefl. I trust it may be so, and that you and particularly all at Arlington and our friends else where are well. The steamer brought the Presi dent's message to congress and the reports of the various heads of the departments, so that we are now assured that the government is in operation, and the Union in existence. Not that I had any fear to the contrary, but it is satisfactory always to have facts to go on; they restrained supposition and con jecture, confirmed the faith and bring contentment. I was much pleased with the President's message, and the report of the Secretary of War. The views of the President on the domestic institutions of the South are truthfully and faithfully expressed. In this enlightened age there are few, I believe, but will acknowledge that slavery as an institution is a moral and political evil in any country. It is useless to expatiate on its disadvantages. I think, it, however, a greater evil to the white than to the black race, and whfle my feelings are strongly interested in behalf of the latter, my sympathies are stronger for the former. The blacks are immeasurably better off here than in Africa, morally, socially, and physically. The painful discipline they are undergoing is neces sary for their instruction as a race, and, I hope, wfll prepare and lead them to better things. How long their subjection may be necessary is known and or dered by a wise and merciful Providence. Their emancipation will sooner result from a mild and melting influence than the storms and contests of fiery controversy. This influence, though slow, is sure. The doctrine and miracles of our Saviour have required nearly two thousand years to convert but a small part of the human race, and even among Chris- SIXTH GENERATION 243 tian nations, what gross errors still exist ! While we see the course of final abolition of slavery is onward, and we give it to the aid of our prayers and all justi fiable means in pur power, we must leave the prog ress as well as the result in his Hands, who sees the end and who chooses to work by slow things and with whom a thousand years are as but a single day ; although the abolitionist must know this, and must see that he has neither the right nor the power of operating except by moral means and suasion ; and if he means well to the slave he must not create angry feelings in the master. That although he may not approve the mode by which it pleases Providence to accomplish its purpose, the result will ever be the same; that the reasons he gives for interference in what he has no concern holds good for every kind of interference with our neighbors when we disapprove their conduct. It is not strange that the descend ants of those Pilgrim Fathers, who crossed the At lantic to preserve the freedom of their opinion have always proved themselves intolerant of the spiritual liberty of others? I hope you had a joyous Christ mas at Arlington, and that it may be long and often repeated. I thought of you all and wished to be with you. Mine was gratefully but silently passed, I endeavored to find some little presents for the chil dren in the garrison to add to their amusement, and succeeded better than I anticipated. The stores are very barren of any such things here, but by taking the week beforehand in my daily walks, I picked up littie by little something for all. Tefl Mildred I got a beautiful Dutch doll for little Emma Jones — one of those crying babies that can open and shut their eyes, turn their heads, etc. For the two other little 244 STRATFORD AND THE LEES girls, Puss Shirley and Mary Sewefl, I found hand some French teapots to match cups given to them by Mrs. Waite; then by means of knives and books I satisfied the boys. After dispensing my presents, I went to church. The discourse was on the birth of our Saviour. It was not as simply or touchingly told as it is in the Bible. By previous invitation I dined with Major Thomas at 2 P. M. on roast turkey and plum pudding. He and his wife were alone. I had provided a pretty singing bird for the little girl, and passed the afternoon in my room. God bless you afl." To his second son, then on duty in the West, he wrote, under date of January 1st, 1859: "A happy New Year! And many returns of the same to you, my precious Roon ! Ours has been gladdened by the reception of your letter of the 4th of December from Presidio Barracks. It is the first line that has reach ed us since your second letter from Fort Bridger. I am sorry you have received nothing from us. I have written often and by various routes, and the other members of the family have done the same. Those that are toiling over the plains, I suppose, will never reach you. When I first learned that the Sixth was ordered to the Pacific, I sent some letters to Benicia. When your letter arrived from Fort Bridger, saying your regiment had departed from Salt Lake and that you were at Camp Floyd, I in closed some letters to Major Porter's care. After seeing that the regiment was stopped at Carson's Valley and had sent back for animals, I conjectured that you would be pushed on with your recruits, and would labor through to the Pacific, and I resumed my direction to Benicia, Surely, some of these letters SIXTH GENERATION 245 should reach you .... But, now that you have caught Custis, I hope you are indemnified for all your priva tions. I am delighted at you two being together, and nothing has occurred so gratifying to me for the past year. Hold on to him as long as you can. Kiss him for me, and sleep with him every night. He must do the same with you and charge it all to my account. God grant that it could be my fortune to be with you both! I am glad that you stood the march so well, and are so robust and bearded. I always thought and said there was stuff in you for a good soldier, and I trust you will prove it. I can not express the gratification I felt, in meeting Colonel May in New York, at the incomiums he passed under your soldiership, zeal, and devotion to duty. But I was more pleased at the report of your conduct. That went nearer to my heart, and was of infinitely more comfort to me. Hold on to your purity and virtue. They will proudly sustain you in all trials and difficulties, and cheer you in every calamity. I was sorry to see, from your letter to your mother, that you smoke occasionally. It is dangerous to meddle with. You have in store so much better use for your mouth. Reserve it, Roone, for its legitimate pleasure. Do not poison and cor rupt it with stale vapors or tarnish your beard with their stench," Some of the letters, written during the trying times of the war, wifl show how the stern soldier threw off grave responsibilities of his position, to indulge in a little friendly badinage, or to pour forth his sympathy with the afflicted: 246 STRATFORD AND THE LEES "Coosawhatchie, S, C, 25th, December, 1861, 'My dear daughter: Having distributed such poor Christmas gifts as I had to those around me, I have been looking for something for you. Trifles are even hard to get these war times, and you must not there fore expect more, I have sent you what I thought most useful in your separation from me, and hope it will be of some service. Though stigmatized as 'vile dross,' it has never been a drug with me. That you may never want for it, restrict your wants to your necessities. Yet how little wfll it purchase ! But see how God provides for our pleasures in every way. To compensate for such 'trash,' I send you some sweet violets, that I gathered for you this morning, while covered with dense white frost, whose chrystals glittered in the bright sun like diamonds, and formed a brooch of rare beauty and sweetness, which could not be fabricated by the expenditure of a world of money. May God guard and preserve you for me, my dear daughter! Among the calamities of war, the hardest to bear perhaps, is the separation of families and friends. Yet afl must be endured to accomplish our independence, and maintain our self government. In my absence from you, I have thought of you very often, and regretted I could do nothing for your comfort. Your old home, if not destroyed by our enemies, has been so desecrated, that I cannot bear to think of it. I should have pre ferred it to have been wiped from the earth, its beautiful hill sunk, and its sacred trees buried, rather than to have been degraded by the presence of those who revel in the ill they do for their own selfish purposes. You see what a poor sinner I am, and how unworthy to possess what has been given me; SIXTH GENERATION 247 for that reason it has been taken away. I pray for a better spirit, and that the hearts of our enemies may be changed. In your homeless condition, I hope you make yourself contented and useful. Occupy yourself in aiding those more helpless than your self Think always of your father." Of Arlington and Stratford, the two homes around which so many hallowed memories were grouped, he wrote his wife the same day: "I cannot let this day of grateful rejoicing pass without some communion with you. I am thankful for the many among the past that I have passed with you, and the remembrance of them fills me with pleasure. As to our old home, if not destroyed it will be difficult to ever be recognized. Even if the enemy had wished to preserve it, it would almost have been impossible. With the number of troops encamped around it, the change of officers, the want of fuel, shelter, etc., and all the dire necessities of war, it is vain to think of its being in a habitable con dition. I fear, too, the books, furniture, and relics of Mount Vernon wifl be gone. It is better to make up our minds to a general loss. They cannot take away the remembrance of the spot, and the memories of those that to us rendered it sacred. That wfll remain to us as long as life wifl last and that we can preserve. In the absence of a home, I wish I could purchase Stratford. It is the only other place I could go to now acceptable to us, that would inspire me with pleasure and local love. You and the girls could remain there in quiet. It is a poor place, but we could make enough cornbread and bacon for our support, and the girls could weave us our clothes. 248 STRATFORD AND THE LEES You must not build your hopes on peace, on account of the United States going to war with England. Our rulers are not entirely mad, and if they find England is in earnest, and that war or a restitution of the captives (Messrs. Mason and Slidefl) must be the consequence, they will adopt the latter. We must make up our minds to fight our battles and win our independence alone. No one wifl help us." To his daughter-in-law, the wife of his son, W. H. F. Lee, the three following letters were written : "Coosawhatchie, S. C, December 29, 1861. "You have no occasion to inform me, you precious Chass, that you have not written to me for a long time. That I already know, and you know that the letters I am obliged to write do hot prevent my read ing letters from you. "If it requires fits of indignation to cause you to ventilate your paper, I will give occasion for a series of spasms, but in the present case I am innocent, as my proposition was for you to accompany your mamma to Fayetteville, and not to run off with her son to Fredericksburg. I am afraid the enemy will catch you; and, besides, there are too many young men there. I only want you to visit the old men, your grandpapa and papa. But what has got into your head to cause you to cut off your hair ? If you wifl weave some delicate fabrics for the soldiers or the family out of it, I will be content with the sacri fice; or, if it is an expression of a penitential mood that has come over you young women, I shall not complain. Poor little A ! Somebody told me that a widower had been making sweet eyes at her through his spectacles. Perhaps she is preparing for SIXTH GENERATION 249 caps. But you can tell her not to distress herself. Her papa is not going to give her up in that way. I am, however, so glad that you are all together that I am wflling that you should indulge in some extrava gances if they do not result in serious hurt, as they will afford a variety to the grave occupation of knitting, sewing, spinning, and weaving. You will have to get out the old wheels and looms again, else I do not know where we poor Confederates wifl get clothes. I have plenty of old ones for the present, but how are they to be renewed? And that is the condition of many others. I do not think there are manufactories sufficient in the Confederacy to sup ply the demand ; and, as all the men are engrossed by the war, the women will have to engage in the busi ness. Fayetteville or Stratford would be a fine posi tion for a domestic manufactory. When you go to see your grandpa, consult him about it. I am glad to hear that he is well, and hope that he will not let these disjointed times put him out of his usual way or give him inconvenience. I would not advise him to commence building at Broadneck, until he sees whether ^he enemy can be driven from the land, as they have a great fondness for destroying residences when they can do it without danger to themselves . . .... Do not let them get the precious baby, as he is so sweet, that they would be sure to eat him .... Kiss Fitzhugh,