The Washington herald., 1907-05-05
GENEALOGICAL
DEP PARTMENT

most part On the 7th Of June, 1776, he
moved that these united colonies are. and
or right ought 10 be- free and independ-
ent States; and that all political connec-
ton between them and the state OF Great
Britain is, and ought 10 be. totally dis
solved, This motion. which was secondea
by John Adams, was ths arst explicit aud.
pronounced step Of the great cousumma-
tion reached less than a month thereafter
July 4, iT56-the immortal Declaration OF
Independence. During the next four
years Mr.. Lee served on more than a
hundred Congressional committees. the
labors connected with which severely i'm
paired his health In 1852. owing TO the
urgency Of political affairs in his own
State, he did not take his seat in Con-
gress- After peace was declared he paid
much attention to the best method OF
funding the public debi Of his State and
OF providing for the revival Of public
credit On the Both Of November. 1884
he was chosen President Of the COnti-
mental Congress. returning 10 Virginia at
the end Of his term. but in 1851 resuming
his seat IN Congress. Though at first an
anti-Federslist, he became a firm sup
porter Of Washingtons administration.
In 1892. failing health compelled him TO
resign his seat in the Senate and TO
retire to his estate al "Chanully."
where he spent the last two years OF his
life, He married, first December 3, 1757,
Anne Aylett who died December T. I168,
and. secondly. in 1853. Anne Gaskins.
widow Of Thomas Pinckard and daughter
Of Col. Thomas Gaskins, ST.. OF West
mOTeland County. Va. one 0f his sons
by his second wife
Francis LIghtfoot Lee. was born June
IS, 17S2, and died April 13, 1870 He en-
tered Harvard College In 1885, and was
graduated ia lS12. receiving his degree Of
Master Of Arts in 1906 He was a lawyer.
and resided at 'Sully, IN Fairfax County,
Va. not far from Alexandra. He mar
ried. first, Elizabeth Fitzgerald, daughter
OF Col. John Fitzgerald. who AZ one time
served on Washington's staff; and, sec
0ndly, Jane Fitzgerald sister Of his first
wife, whom he married February g. 1910.
One Of his sons by his second wife
samuel Phillips Lee, was born at
"Sully." Fairfax County. Va. February
i. isI2 He was a distinguished naval
officer and passed with honor through
the various grades from midshipmau TO
rear admiral He took an active part in
the Mexican war, and on the l4Jh of Sep
tember, 1856, was promoted 20 the rank
Of commander. He served under Fdrra-
gut in the civil war, and In the expedition
against New Orleans commanded the ad-
vanced division below Forts Jackson and
ST Philip. with both Of which, az one
period Of the fight, his ship the Oneida,
was the only one engaged For time De-
commanded the advanced division below
Yicksburg, and participated in both pas
ssgcs Of the batteries there. the Oneida
being the second IN line on each occasion
He was promoted 10 the rank Of captain
July Is. 1852. and 90 that Of acting rear
admiral September 3 1852. and as COM
manding officer Of the North Atlantic
blockading squadron rendered valuable
service in blockading the coasts Of Viz
ginia and North Carolina, as well as IN
cooperating with the armies in defense
Of Norfolk. Newbern, and Washington.
He was ordered 70 the Mississippi squad
ron in 1851 and, after accomplishing con-
spicuous service. was detached theTefrom
on the 18th OF August 1855. He was pro
NOTED 10 the rank Of commodore July
g 1866; to that Of rear admiral April =,
1870: and retired February l3 1873 de
married, April q 1S43 Elizabeth Blair,
daughter of Francis Preston Blair
Cbrother OF the late Hon Montgomery
Blair. of Lincoln's Cabinet, and his wife.
Eliza Violet Gist. His only child
Blair Lee, of Washington. d. c., was
born al Silver Spring, Md. August 2.
iS57. and married October ], ls1, Anne
Clymcr Brooke, daughter Of Edwa.d
Brooke, esq. OF Birdsboro, Pa.