Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-08-23
Arthur Lee and His Will.

We publish below the Will OF Arthur
Lee. distinguished member of the dis
tinguised Virginia family bearing his
name. The quaintness of the docu-
ment will add interest 10 it.
Although seldom referred TO by mod
ern authors of the histories OF the Lee
family, DR.. Arthur Lee was quite Il con-
spicuous character in the early days OF
this country.
Arthur Lee was the youngest brother
of Richard Henry Lee, of revolutionary
fame. He was born in 1740, studied
medicine at Edinburgh and returned
to America to practice his profession.
He subsequently entered the field OF
politics and returned to England to adj
vocate the rights of the colonies. In
1776 he took up his residence III Paris
as secret agent of the American Con
gress. He remained in France during
the whole struggle. He died in the
county of Middlesex, December II,
1892. a few months after writing his
will. He was the owner of "Lans-
downe," n beautiful place near Urban
na, now occupied by Col. Ben Upton
Amen-I, Arthur Lee of Lansdown
in the county of Middlesex, being OF
Sound and disposing mind, do make
this my last will and testament, revok-
ing all others: this twenty seventh day
of July one thousand seven hundred
and ninety two.
1st Ny VIII is that all of my just
debts be paid and that my Remains be
| entered in the Vault of my dear pa
rents. unless l should die at an incon-
venient distance.
2nd I give to my most dear brother
Richard Henry Lee, for his life only all
my lands and Negroes, houses, Stocks
and furniture, except rs hereafter shall
be excepted, in the county Of Middle
sex.
3rd | give the said lands, houses, fur
niture, Negroes & Stock at the death OF
my said brother 10 his son Francis
Lightfoot Lee, together with all my
lands in Kentucky, with my lots in the
town of Richmond, to him and his heirs
forever.
4th give to my Nephew said f. L.
Lee the tract of land in the province o.
AIaine granted to me by the State G
Massachusetts, to him and his heirs ior.
ever.
9Th I give to my said nephew my
stock in the Bank OF North America.
eth l give to my nephew Cassius Lee
my lots in Norfolk, my lands on the
north side Oft the Ohio, consisting of my
shares in the Ohio Company and my
purchases from the Z States III the
seven ranges, and also my purchase
from Col Henry Lee Of his Military
rights, consisting of eight thousand five
hundred acres, TO him and his heirs for
ever.
Sth I give to my nephew Cassius Lee
my postponed 6 per cents in the funds
of the U States.
9th give to my nephew Ludwcll
Lee all ofmy French Books and Manu-.
scripts.
10th give to my neice Florce Lee
my set of white tea China of sive. to-
gether with the red and white sivc
China Coffee Cups, Tea pot, Milk pot
and bowl.
18th 1 give to my niece Hannah
Washington one half acre lot in Alex
andria lying on Washington & Oronoko
Streets and letten on ground rents, 10
her and her heirs forever.
18th give to my niece Ann Lee a
half acre lot in Alexandria lying on
Princess and st. Asaph streets which /
purchased Of Col. Henry Lee, to her
and her heirs forever, also my silver
bladcd desert knives with pearl ham
dies.
18th l give to my niece Harriet Lee
the six lots in Alexandria sold to me
by Col. Henry Lee and which by his
agreement with me were to yield fifty
pounds per annum ground rents, to her
and her heirs forever.
18th [ give TO my niece Sally Lee
one half acre lot i'll Alexandria No. &c
on Duke & Royal Streets, to her and
her heirs forever.
18th l give to my niece Lucinda Lee
one half acre lot in Alexandria lying ON
Duke & st. Asaph Street & letten on
ground rents to her and her heirs for
ever.
10th I give to my niece Ann Brent a
piece of plate as she may chuse of the
Value of Seventy Guinels.
18th 1 give to my dear sister in law
Rebecca Lee of Menokin my diamond
ring and my gold sleeve buttons with
pictures in them.
18th 1 give to my ,ar sister in law
wife to Richd. Henry Lee apiece Of
plate the Value of ten guineas.
10Th l give to my dear brother
Francis Ligbtfoot Lee, my gold enam-
elled Snuff Box set with diamonds.
Goth give all the residue of my es
tate real & personal to my dear brother
Richard Henry Lee, if he should sur
vive me, if not then to his son Francis
Lightfoot Lee.
21st I constitute & appoint my broth
err Richard Henry Lee, my sole execu-
tor g. if should survive him, then 1 re-
quest my friend Ralph Wormley of
Rosegill to accept of that charge & ola
piece of plate worth thirty guineas for
his trouble. ARTHUR LEE.
October 25th 1892. Codicil-I give to
my nephew Cassius Lee five thousand
dollars in lieu of the deferred six per
cents, which L give to my nephew
Francis Lightfoot Lee & it is my will
that the aforesaid 5000 dollars should
be paid out of my stock (No g to my
nephew +. L. Lee. ARTHUR LEE.
B Stock--Doll 5000
Guineas 20, 10, so total CIR 60.
The will was recorded in the county
court of 8liddlesex, at the court house
of IJrbanna. on Dec oath 1872 and