Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1851-09-04
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slGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF
INDEPENDENCE.
FRANCIS LIGHTFoor LEE.

Francis Lightfoot Lee. younger bro
ther Of Richard Henry Lee. was born in
Nestmorland county, Virginia on the
fourteenth day of October, 1884 He
was too young when his father died to bc
sent abroad TO be educated but was IA
vored with every advantage in the way If
learning which the colony afforded. He
was placed at an early age under the care
Of the Reverend Doctor Craig. a Scotch
clergyman OF eminent pidty and learning
Ills excellent tutor not only educated his
head but his heart, anl laid the founda-
ton Of character, upon which the noble
supcrstructure, which his useful life ex-
hIblted, was reared.
On the return of Richard Henry Lee
from England. whittier he had been to ae-
qulre thorough education, Francis. WHO
was then just stepping FROM youth into
manhood, was deeply Impressed with his
various requirements and polished man
ners, and adopted him as model for imi-
tatlon. lie leaned upon his brothers. judg-
ment IN all matters, aud the sentiments
which moved the one iIupel!ed the other
to action. And when his brother with
his sweet voice and persuasive manner.
endeavored, by popular harTngues, to D
rouse his friotids and nc5ghbors to a sense
Of the impending danger, which act after
act of British oppression shadowcd forth,
Francis caught his spirit and when Ire
was old enough to engage it the strife cf
politics, he was a full tiejged patriot, and
with q pure heart an3 clean hands" he
espcusCd the cause Of freedom
In 1865. Mr.. Lee was elected a mem
Der Of the Virginia House of BUrecsscs,
for Loudon county, while his brother was
member Of the same House, for Wcstmor-
land county. BY annual election, lie coI,-
tiuuncd a member of the Virginia Assem-
/ bly, for Loudon, until lT72 whcn he mar
ried the daughter Of Coioacl John Taylor,
Of Richmond, and moved to that city
lie was at once elected a member for
Richmond, and continued 10 represent
that county until I175 when the Vir-
ginla Convention elected him a delegate
to the Continental Congress During his
i whole term Of ser-icc iii the General AZ
sembly of his State. he always acted iii
concert with the patriotic burgesscs NJ
/ Lee was not a fluent speaker, and seldom
engaged IN debate lut bis sound iud1-
mcut, unwavoring principles. and persc-
+ yering industry. made Linn useful mem
i Der of amy legislative assembly. He sym
/ pathizcd with his brother in his ycarninE-
/ for independence. and it was with great
i Joy, that he voted for and signed the In
strument which declared his country free
/ Mr.. Lee continued In Congress. unit.
/ I779, and was the mcmbcr. for Virginia
/ of the committee which framed the Arti-
clcs Of Confederation Early in the
/ spring of I77J. he retired from Congress
and returned home, with the intention Of
Withdrawing wholly irom public life, t.
enjoy those sweet domestic quiet which
he 50 ardently loved l3sgt his follow citi
zens were unwilling to dispense with his
valuable services. and elected him a nom
Der Of the Virginia Senate lie, Lowcy-
CT. remained thoir bIt q brief season, and
then bade adicu to public cmrloymcnts
lie could never again be il luccd to leave
his domestic pleasure and he passed the
remainder of his days III agricultural pur-
zaits and the onjoyments to be derived
from reading and study. apd the cheerful
intercourse with friends Possessed of
ample wealth, he used il like philosopher
and a Christian in dispensing It's blessings
for the benefit of his country and his fcl-
low men
In April, l797, lie was prostratcd by
an attack of plcUrisy. which terminated
his life In the course # fsw days. He
was in the sixty-third year Of his age
Ills wife was attacked by the same dis
ease. and died few day. after the dcccasc
Of her husband.