- Thomas Ludwell Lee
Thomas Ludwell Lee, Sr. (
December 13 ,1730 -April 13 ,1778 ) was an editor of theVirginia Declaration of Rights . He was the older brother ofRichard Henry Lee ,Francis Lightfoot Lee , William Lee, and Arthur Lee. He was a member of theHouse of Burgesses from 1758-1765, but refused to enter into national politics.John Adams , quotingGeorge Wythe once said he was "the delight of the eyes of every Virginian, but would not engage in public life". [Stephen Hess, "America's Political Dynasties" (1997) p.60] . On October 14, 1776 he was appointed to a committee headed by Thomas Jefferson and including George Wythe, Edmund Pendleton and George Mason to revise, amend or repeal any Virginia law subject to the approval of the Virginia House of Delegates.Early life
Lee was born at
Stratford Hall Plantation inWestmoreland County ,Virginia to Thomas Lee and his wifeHannah Harrison Ludwell . He was the couple's third son and the second one to survive into adulthood. Much about Lee's early life is unknown although it is assumed that he studied in England along with this brothers. [F.W. Alexander, "Stratford Hall and the Lees Connected with its History" (1912) p.73] Thomas resided at "Belleview" in Stafford Co., Virginia. This home was the site of the first annual meeting of the Mississippi Company, at whichGeorge Washington (1732-1799) and his brotherJohn Augustine Washington attended in September 1763.Marriage
Thomas married
Mary Aylett . Mary was the daughter ofWilliam Aylett andElizabeth Eskridge (1719). Elizabeth married secondly, Dr.James Steptoe , Col. (1709-1757).Children
1.
Thomas Ludwell Lee, Jr. (ca. 1752-1807), who married Frances "Fanny" Carter (ca. 1755), daughter ofRobert Wormley Carter (ca. 1735-1797) of "Sabine Hall " andWinifred Tavener Beale (ca. 1740).2. William Aylett Lee (ca. 1754), who died young).
3.
George Lee, Sr. (ca. 1756-1802), who marriedEvelyn Byrd Beverley (1782). Evelyn married secondly, Dr.Patrick Hume Douglas . Evelyn was the daughter ofRobert Beverley (1740-1800) andMaria Carter (1745-1817).4.
Anne Fenton Lee (ca. 1758), who marriedDaniel Carroll Brent (1759-1814), son ofWilliam Brent III (1733-1782) andEleanor Carroll .5.
Lucinda Lee (ca. 1760), who marriedJohn Dalrymple Orr (1761), son of John Orr (1726) andSusan Monroe Grayson (1743).6. Rebecca Lee (ca. 1763).
Ancestry
Thomas was the son of Col. Thomas Lee, Hon. (1690-1750) of "
Stratford Hall ", Westmoreland Co., Virginia. Thomas marriedHannah Harrison Ludwell (1701-1750).Hannah was the daughter of Col.
Philip Ludwell II (1672-1726) of "Greenspring ", andHannah Harrison (1679-1731).Thomas was the son of Col.
Richard Lee II , Esq., “the scholar” (1647-1715) andLaetitia Corbin (ca. 1657-1706).Laetitia was the daughter of Richard's neighbor and, Councillor, Hon.
Henry Corbin, Sr. (1629-1676) andAlice (Eltonhead) Burnham (ca. 1627-1684).Richard II, was the son of Col.
Richard Lee I , Esq., "the immigrant" (1618-1664) andAnne Constable (ca. 1621-1666).Anne was the daughter of
Thomas Constable and a ward ofSir John Thoroughgood .Notes
References
* Alexander, Frederick Warren. "Stratford Hall and the Lees Connected with its History" (1912) History of the Lee family and Stratford Hall
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.