Francis Lightfoot Lee

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Francis Lightfoot Lee
Francis Lightfoot Lee

Virginia Senator
Signer of Declaration of Independence


Virginia Senate
In office
1778 – 1782

Delegate to Continental Congress
In office
1774 – 1779

Born October 14, 1734
Stratford Hall Plantation, Westmoreland County, Virginia
Died January 11, 1797
Richmond County, Virginia

Hon. Francis Lightfoot Lee (October 14, 1734January 11, 1797), was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Virginia. He was the son of Hon. Thomas Lee (1690-1750) and Hannah Harrison Ludwell (1701-1750). His brothers, William Lee (1739-1795), Richard Henry Lee (1732-1794), and Dr. Arthur Lee (1740-1792) were also American Patriots.

He was born October 14, 1734 at “Stratford,” in Westmoreland County, Virginia of English descent,[1] and was educated at home, where he pursued classical studies under private teachers.

Contents

[edit] Early career

In 1758 he was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses, where he served until 1775. He was a radical patriot, siding with Patrick Henry in opposing the Stamp Act.

[edit] American Revolution

He called for a general congress and a Virginia Convention in 1774, which he attended. He served in the Virginia State senate from 1778-1782 and was a delegate to the first Continental Congress, serving until 1779.

[edit] Marriage

Francis married Rebecca Plater Tayloe (1751-1797) in 1772. Rebecca was the daughter Col. John Tayloe II (1721-1779) and Rebecca Plater (1731-1787).

[edit] Death

Francis died at his home, “Menoken,” in Richmond County, Virginia, January 11, 1797. He was interred in his wife’s family (Tayloe) burial ground, at Mount Airy plantation, near Warsaw, Virginia.

[edit] Ancestry

Francis was the son of Col. Thomas Lee, Hon. (1690-1750) of "Stratford Hall", Westmoreland Co., Virginia. Thomas married Hannah Harrison Ludwell (1701-1750).

Hannah was the daughter of Col. Philip Ludwell II (1672-1726) of "Greenspring", and Hannah Harrison (1679-1731).

Thomas was the son of Col. Richard Lee II, Esq., “the scholar” (1647-1715) and Laetitia Corbin (ca. 1657-1706).

Laetitia was the daughter of Richard’s neighbor and, Councillor, Hon. Henry Corbin, Sr. (1629-1676) and Alice (Eltonhead) Burnham (ca. 1627-1684).

Richard II, was the son of Col. Richard Lee I, Esq., "the immigrant" (1618-1664) and Anne Constable (ca. 1621-1666).

Anne was the daughter of Thomas Constable and a ward of Sir John Thoroughgood.

Lee Family Coat of Arms
Lee Family Coat of Arms

[edit] Bibliography

Dill, Alonzo Thomas. Francis Lightfoot Lee, The Incomparable Signer. Edited by Edward M. Riley. Williamsburg: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 1977. do

[edit] External links

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