Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/232

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

The pioneer settler was Richard Lee, one of the younger branches of the house of Litchfield, who came to Virginia in 1641. He was associated with Sir William Berke- ley and it is stated that on his return from his voyage to England, where he had held conference with Charles II., he and Berke- ley succeeded in having Charles proclaimed King of England, France. Scotland, Ireland and Virginia, \\hile this is questioned by historians, there are coins in existence on which are quartered the arms of England, Scotland, Ireland and Virginia, the whole encircled with the word "Virginia 1773."

The Hon. Thomas Lee, fourth son of Richard Lee, and grandson of Richard Lee, the founder, is given in history as one of the most prominent of early \^irginians. The fine mansion Stratford was built for him by the East India Company. Stratford Hall the residence of Thomas Lee (known as President Lee) became the great centre of genial old X'irginia hospitality. Here was the headquarters of the fashion, genius and nobilitv of the Old Dominion, and its exten- sive halls and massive corridors not only re- sounded to the strains of martial music and the festive dance, but also to the powerful voice of genius, as it eloquently went forth to establish the political events of the coun- try.

Charles Carter Lee. of Powhatan, \'ir- ginia, father of John Penn Lee, in a letter thus speaks of the old mansion, his birth- place :

When I was ;i boy the chimneys of the old house were the columns of two summer houses, between which there was a balustrade and in Colonel Philip Lee's time during the evening promenade of ladies and gentlemen, a band of music played the while in one of the summer houses. Colonel Philip Lee also kept a barge in which the family enjoyed the music of the band upon the water. But the liouse is more remarkable for being the birthplace of two of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and also of my brother Robert, who was Ijorn in the same chamber they were.

The signers referred to were Richard Henry Lee and Charles Lightfoot Lee, the brother was General Robert E. Lee. In his ''V^irginia Georgics," Mr. Lee thus refers to Stratford :

On the Potomac doth a mansion stand.

Whose walls .were built of brick from old England ;

Eight pillars formed two summer house pillars.

From which were seen Potomac's sea-like billows ;

Tall Lombardy poplars in lengthened row

Far o'er the woods a dwelling's signal show, —

A pillar of cloud by day to guide the stranger.

To a generous board and his horse to a good manger.

This was the old seat of the Lees renowned,

For what none else can boast of on the ground —

For being the birthplace of two of the signers

Of the Declaration of Independence.

Here, too. a circumstance to others worthless,

But nnich to me. for I am fond of my birthplace,

And am glad the sun first greeted me on earth

Where the moon of independence had its birth.

Richard Henry Lee, the great political leader and statesman, was born at Stratford en the banks of the Potomac, January 20. 1732. the birthplace of George \\'ashington and scarcely a month before that event, died nt "Chantilly." his seat upon the Potomac. June 19, 1794. mourned and beloved by a grateful country.

Llenry Lee the fifth son of Richard Lee, was born in Virginia, and like his brother was a member of early councils of the col- ony. He married a Miss Bland, daughter of Richard Bland, and granddaughter of Theo- dore Bland, who settled at AVestover. upon the James river, in Charles Citv county, N^irginia, in 1654. He was of the King''s council, speaker of the house of burgesses and was in fortune and understanding in- ferior to no man in the country.

Henry (2) Lee, son of Henry ( i) Lee and his wife, who was a Miss Bland, was a mem- ber of the house of burgesses, took an active part in the exciting events of his time and resided at Stratford. He married at Green Spring, once the residence of Sir William Berkeley. December i, 1753. Lucy Grymes. said to have been a descendant of ilajor John Grymes, son of General Thomas Grymes, who served under Cromwell. Henry and Lucy (Grymes) Lee left a fam- ily of six sons and five daughters.

General Henry (3) Lee ("Light Horse Harry"), eldest son of Henry (2) and Lucy (Grymes) Lee, was born at Leesylvania. Prince William county, Virginia, January 29. 1756. He was entrusted with the man- agement of the vast Lee estate at an earlv age, a trust he most ablv filled. In 1776 he was commissioned captain of a cavalry com- pany, and under the command of Colonel Bland joined the provincial army under \\'ashington. In 1778 Congress promoted him to the rank of major, for gallant con- duct, and with a fine corps of cavalry and infantry, his command soon became famous and well known as "Lee's Legion." Major Lee and his command covered the retreat of General Greene's armv to Virginia before