Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-29

ancestral home by this occurrence
Nevertheless profound impression was
made upon him by his few years there
and he had a deep affection for the
place. During the Civil War he wrote
to his mother:
They cannot take away the remem-
brance of the spot and the memories
Of those that to us rendered it sacred.
That will remain TO us as long as life
will last, and that We can preserve"
Built by Thomas Lee in 172529.
The earlier life of Stratford suggests
its historical importance as home Of
more than one great American. 1t was
built in 1859 by Thomas Lee, grand
son of Richard Lee the Emigrant, as
the first Lee to come to this country
is known in family genealogy
Thomas, later the first American
born governor of Virginia, married
Hannah Ludwell, a wealthy young lady
who agreed in the terms of her mar
riage contract to loan her husband
600 pounds sterling, to be returned by
his estate in the event OF his death!
This contract, dated 1922, is now owned
by Mrs. w. j. Booth, lineal descendant
of Thomas Lee It will, incidentally,
be among the exhibits here.
Although 600 pounds was conSid-
cradle sum in that day, Thomas did
not attempt to establish great estate
with it, Three years later he obtained
from Queen Caroline the funds with
which Stratford was built.
Thorough the succeeding years an
unbroken line of illustrious gentlemen
and their families resided there. In
Revolutionary days. Richard Henry
Lee, signer of the Declaration of In
dependence, the man who moved It's
adoption and whose politics were credl-
ted with carrying it through, lived on
the estate. Among his other diSt1nc-
t;c 49, was election as one of the first
pair of Senators from Virginia.
Light Horse Harry" Used House.
Thomas Ludwen Lee, another signer
of the Declaration; famed Light
Horse Harry" Lee, father of Robert E.
Lee, and others are also numbered
among the former occupants OF the
house.
Objects related to the careers of each
one of these gentlemen will be seen at
the Washington display. Lee 'portralts
by early American artists, silver, plate,
glass ware and furniture books and
documents owned by the family will be
brought here.
Among other things there will be
Light Horse Harry" Lees family Bible.
In it Anne Hill Carter Lee, mother OF
Robert, inscribed the record of her
sons birth, on January Is, 1908. The
book is now the property OF Light
Horse Harry's" grandson, Robert Ran
dolph Lee of Windsor, Va.
OF exceptional interest to lovers OF
the antique will be five objects which
John w. Davidge, great-grandson of
Light Horse Harry" Lees brother
Richard Bland Lee-will loan to the
Stratford Committee. These relics are
a Sheffield urn and candleabra, two
Heppelwhite side chairs and Duncan
Phyfe table.
Will Show Jefferson Cups.
Although the exhibit will be doni-
mated by Lee heirlooms, numerous ar
ticles associated with famous contem-
poraries Of Lee generations also will oe
shown.
For example, Gen. Jefferson Ran
delphi Kean will send a silver cup
which was one of the several Thomas
JEFFERSON had made from silver pre-
sented to him by his one-time teacher,
Professor Wythe. Whythe, scholar and
lawyer, during his lifetime also taught
John Marshall, James Monroe and
Henry Clay.
The Jefferson cups, Gen. Kean sug
geSts with some irony, doubtless were
used by Virginia gentlemen as water
glasses, The discovery of worn floor
boards In front of the spot YheEs A