Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-06-08
THE LEE FAMILY.

Slr Henry Lee, Il. w., QleO an Ola nan lL
1911, and his cousin, the eldest son of Sll
Robert Lee, of "Hulcottn became his heir
and Is also known % Sir Henry Lee, oI
Ditchley 1t was his grandson, a third Sir
Henry, who must be considered as the hero
OF Woodstock; and his nephew was Gre
ated, by Charles II, Earl of Litchfeld. OF
course Scctt's Sir Henry Lee, with his dog
Bevis, and lease of life to suit the story, is
to all intents and purposes, q fictitious
character. In the Lee Chapel at Quarren-
don, in Buckinghamshire, may be seen the
remains of the magnificent alabaster monu-
mept to Sir Henry Lee, Is. G., with other
imposing memorials of the family.
Accounts of the old chapel are to be
found in the Gentleman's Magazine, with
views of its interior and exterior. Robert
Lee, the last Earl of Litchfeld, died in
l776. And it is little singular that the
| last representative of o still older branch OF
the Lees, of Lee, should bs associated with
American history in the person of Gen.
Charles Lee, Of the Revolution. Richard,
Lee, Governor Berkeleys Secretary, was
from Stratford-L -Langton. Essex, where his
father died in 1Gl6. COL Lee was sent to
Berkeley on secret and romantic quest to
Breda to invite Charles II. over to his loyal
colony, there to arm new leyies with which
to reconquer England.
ut the restoration Colonel Lee was again
in office, end during Bacon's Rebellion he
was all influential member Of the council,
and friendly to the patriotic party as far as
consistent with his Office. In his portrait,
which Was. to be seen at Cotton" the seat Of
I.auncelot Lee, in the latter part of the
eighteenth century, might be deserted tho
coed stature and comelv Vieage" which tra.
dition gives him while ascribiug TO him an
"enterprising genius, sound head and gener-
Gus nature" His son. Richard Lee, was
also member of the Kings Council ; and
Thomas, son of the second Richard, was
for 81 long timo president Of the Council.
Virginias history is, indeed, enriched with
tho names of this family who have been die.
tinguished Ia civil or military life.
Thomas Lee, in his capacity of president
OF the Council, was Governor OF the colony
in 1749 and at his princely seat of "Stratford," !"
called after the English home in Essex, dis
pensed the liberal hospitality of the typical
Virginia planter. Marvellous accounts are CIV
en- of s'stratford's" original splendor its hun.
dred rooms, main building and four offices,
each OF the latter containing fifteen rooms,
and its stables for a hundred horses. 1t
was burned duripg the lifetime of President
Lee, and the Government rebuilt 1t, while
Queen Caroline contributed something from
her own privy purse, sending also a COM
plimentary letter 10 this esteemed colonial
magnate.
Four sons Of Thomas Lee made their I'M
press on the history of their country during
the Revolutionary era. Of these the most
distinguished undoubtedly was Richard
Henry Lee, the eminent statesman. There
was not wanting. however, at this moment
GUS PERIOD a soldier here to mingle military
laurels with the family's civic honors; and
Light Horse Harry" the young cavalry
leader of the Revolution, was not unworthy
of his knightly race. He was also, later in
his career, to be known in political life, be-.
ing member of the convention that ratified
the Constitution, and he was three times
elected Governor of Virginia.
Gen. Henry Lees grandfather was one OF
the several brothers of President Lee, and
by the marriage Of "Light Horse Harry"
| with Matilda Lee, q daughter of President
Lees eldest son, he came into possession OF
Stratford When the young soldier courted
his beautiful cousin there was still much state
| at "Stratford." The fine lawn was several
hundred acres in extent. The house, on a
commanding situation, surrounded by a
grove of sugar naples, presented the form
of the letter H, spacious saloon connect
ing the two wings where the gay company
danced the owner of "Strattord," Philip
Ludwell Lee, who was also of the Kings
Council, keeping band of musicians for
the delectation of his two fair daughters
and their guests. There were also moon
light promenades on the flat roof of the
great house, with its pavilions and balus'
trade, and more than one romance doubt
less sprang to life orlanguished to soft death
in the gay halls of historic "Stratford. "
tronhood, and General Lee brought new
bride to the old homestead. This was An
ME Carter, the mother of Robert Edward
Lee, the great soldier of the Southern Con-
federacy, whose fame was to overshadow
his fathers, his name being the one, next te
Washingtons, which Virginia holds In hon
or as that of her foremost son.