Col Thomas Jesse Lee

• Colony of Virginia

Colonel Thomas Lee, eldest son of Richard Henry Lee, signer of the Declaration of Independence, resided at Park Gate from about 1790 to 1805. There are stories that the young Col. Lee played a heroic role in the Revolutionary War. First he acted as a courier of secret documents between Arthur Lee, our envoy in France, and his father, Richard Henry Lee, and other principals in America. Later, he was aide-de-camp to General Washington during several campaigns. An illness acquired during one of the latter battles prompted his early retirement at Park Gate, and led to his early death. Colonel Lee's first wife was Mildred Washington, eldest daughter of George's brother John Augustine. Her brother Bushrod inherited Mount Vernon. George Washington is said to have "dined and afterwards visited and drank Tea" with the Lees. After the death of Mildred, Col Lee married Eliza Ashton Brent, Daniel Carroll Brent's daughter. - NRHP Registration

Lineage

• Father Richard Henry Lee

• Sister: Anne Lee
• Sister: Hannah Lee Washington
• Brother: Francis Lightfoot Lee II