Francis Lightfoot Lee

  • Also Known As: Frank Lee

  • American

Francis Lightfoot Lee, the son of a wealthy planter, was born at the Lee family seat, Stratford, in Westmoreland County, Virginia, on October 14, 1734. He did not attend college but received an excellent education at the hands of tutors. Leaving Stratford in early life, he settled on Coton in Loudoun County, Virginia, an estate which he inherited from his father, Thomas Lee, in 1750. Lee served as a representative of Loudoun County in the House of Burgesses from 1758 to 1769. In the spring of 1769 he married Rebecca Tayloe, the 17 year old daughter of John Tayloe of Mount Airy, Richmond County, Virginia. Lee lived at Mount Airy with his bride until his father-in-law completed Menokin, which he built for them on a nearby plantation. Lee was almost immediately elected as a burgess for Richmond County and served in that capacity from 1769 to 1776. He was a delegate to the Continental Congresses from 1775 to June 1779. On his return to Virginia he sat for a time in the Virginia senate and then retired from public life. He died at Menokin on January 11, 1797, only a few days after the death of his wife. They were both buried in the Tayloe family cemetery adjacent to the Mount Airy plantation house. The Lees had no children and Menokin then passed to his nephew, Ludwell Lee. - US NRHP

Notable Position Organization From To
Representative of Loudoun County Virginia House of Burgesses 1758 1769
Representative of Richmond County Virginia House of Burgesses 1769
Lineage

Timeline

Y/M/D Description Association Composition Place Locale Food Event
Y/M/D Description Association Composition Place Locale Food Event
1734/10/14 Hannah Harrison Ludwell Lee, wife of Thomas Lee, gives birth to a son, Francis Lightfoot Lee, at Stratford Hall plantation in Westmoreland County. Born Stratford Hall Lerty
1751/00/00 After his father's death in late 1750, Frank Lee inherits over thirty-eight hundred acres in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties and thirty slaves. Life
1766/02/27 Westmoreland Resolution adopted Signer Westmoreland Resolves Declaration of the Westmoreland Resolves
1768/11/00 Frank Lee does not stand for reelection to represent in Loudoun County at the House of Burgesses. Politics
1769/04/00 Landon Carter notes that through asserted interest, Col Tayloe elects his son-in-law, Francis Lee, to represent Richmond County in the House of Burgesses. Politics Marriage of Francis Lightfoot Lee and Rebecca Tayloe
1769/05/25 Rebecca Tayloe marries Francis Lightfoot Lee. The couple will live at Mount Airy, Richmond County, Virginia until Menokin is completed. Groom Mount Airy Plantation Warsaw, VA Marriage of Francis Lightfoot Lee and Rebecca Tayloe
1771/08/00 Frank Lee writes from Mount Airy to his brother William: In three or four weeks I shall be under my own vine and shall remember to drink health and every blessing to my dear connections in London, William Lee and his wife. life Mount Airy Plantation Warsaw, VA
1772/00/00 The trees for Menokin's roof frame are felled. Home Menokin Warsaw, VA
1776/08/02 Most delegates sign the Declaration of Independence Signer, representing Virginia US Declaration of Independence American Colonies Declare Independence from Great Britain
1797/01/17 Francis Lightfoot Lee dies at Menokin, only a few months after the death of his wife. The Lees had no children and Menokin passes to his nephew, Ludwell Lee. Died Menokin Warsaw, VA
1797/04/00 Francis Lightfoot Lee is buried in the Tayloe Cemetery at Mt Airy. In Memoriam Mount Airy Plantation Warsaw, VA
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