Francis
Lightfoot
"Frank"
Lee
Born in Stratford, Westmoreland County, Colony of Virginia
Ancestors 
Brother of
Philip Ludwell Lee Sr., Hannah Ludwell (Lee) Corbin, John Lee, Lucinda Lucy Lee, Thomas Ludwell Lee, Richard Henry Lee, Alice (Lee) Shippen, William Lee and Arthur Lee
Husband of
Rebecca Plater (Tayloe) Lee
— married
25 May 1769 in Menokin Plantation, Richmond, Virginia Colony
Died
at age 62
in Menokin, Richmond, Virginia, United States
Profile last modified
| Created 19 Oct 2010
This page has been accessed 10,078 times.
| Francis Lee participated in the American Revolution. Join: 1776 Project Discuss: 1776 |
Contents |
Biography
Francis Lee was a Founding Father in the American Revolution.
Francis Lee is Notable.
Delegate to the First Continental Congress 1774 – 1779
Member of the Virginia Senate 1778 – 1782Frances was born on 14 October 1774 in Stratford Hall Plantation, Westmoreland County, Virginia. Born into one of the First Families of Virginia, his parents were Colonel Thomas Lightfoot Lee and Hannah Ludwell. [1][2] He was educated at home, where he pursued classical studies under private teachers.
Francis married his first cousin Rebecca Plater Tayloe on 25 May 1769 in Virginia.[3] She was the daughter of Colonel John Tayloe II (1721-1779) and Rebecca Plater (1731-1787).[4]
Francis died at his home "Menokin" in Richmond County, Virginia on 11 January 1797. He was interred in his wife’s family cemetery, Tayloe Cemetery, in Warsaw, Richmond County, Virginia, United States.[5]
Career
In 1774, Lee called for a general congress and the first of the Virginia Conventions, He served in the Virginia State Senate from 1778-1782 and was a delegate to the first Continental Congress, serving until 1779.
Francis Lightfoot Lee was a member of the House of Burgesses in the Colony of Virginia. He was active in protesting issues such as the Stamp Act which moved the Colony in the direction of seeking Independence from British control. He was among those who proposed and attended the Virginia Conventions and the First Continental Congress held in Philadelphia. He was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Virginia.
Legacy
The Menokin Bluegrass Festival is an annual event run by Deaf Dog productions and The Menokin Foundation to raise awareness and money for The Menokin Foundation which seeks to preserve and interpret the ruins of Menokin--once home to Francis Lightfoot Lee, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and his bride, Rebecca Taylor Lee.
The festival is held on the grounds of Menokin every spring, attracting thousands of festival-goers. Past performers have been Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys, Seldom Scene, Old School Freight Train, and Jackass Flats.[6]
Photograph of Menokin (4037 Menokin Road) Richmond County, Virginia: "Former home to Francis Lightfoot Lee, Menokin (c.1769) is the only house of the seven Virginia signers of the Declaration of Independence that is not fully protected and saved. Rather than being reconstructed, new preservation and display techniques highlight the historic fabric of the building. The exterior is partially encased in structural glass. Indoors, plans include a glass catwalk and transparent floor to allow visitors to see from the third floor to the basement. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1971, the Foundation is currently working on Phase 1 of the Glasshouse Project. Menokin Foundation, owner."[7]
Children
They never had any children.[8][9]
Sources
- ↑ "North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000"
Book Title: Genealogy of the Descendants of Dr Wm Shippen
Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 61157 #3253415 (accessed 29 March 2024)
Name: Francis Lightfoot Lee; Gender: Male; Father: Thomas Lee; Mother: Hannah Ludwell - ↑
Will of parent Thomas Lee:
"Westmoreland County, Virginia Wills, 1654-1800"
Original data: Lineages, Inc., comp.. Westmoreland County, Virginia Wills, 1654-1800. Records transcribed from LDS Family History Library microfilm copies of wills for this locality
Ancestry Record 4900 #7519 (accessed 29 March 2024)
Name: Francis Lightfoot Lee; Will Date: 4 May 1794; Probate Date: 24 Jun 1794; Probate Place: Westmoreland, Virginia, USA; Relationship: Son; Notes: Richard Henry Lee of Chantilly, 4 May 1794; 24 June 1794. To be buried at the Burnt House on left of late ever dear wife so the present dear Mrs. Lee may be laid on my right. Sons Thomas, Ludwell and Cassius Lee lands in Fauquier Co. and part of West'd estate; son Francis Lightfoot Lee the gold seal wh. was his uncle Arthur's, the 4 silver plates, spoons, knives and pronged fork wh. was Richard Henry Lee's; daus. Mary Washington, Harriet and Sally Lee, Hannah Washington of Walnut Farm, Anne Lee of Alexandria, Henrietta Lee; wife Anne her dower. Sons-in-law Wm. Augustine Washington, Corbin Washington and Charles Lee of Alexandria.; Others Listed (Name)
Relationship: Thomas Lee Son
Richard Henry Lee Decedent
Charles Lee Son-in-law
Corbin Washington Son-in-law
William Augustine Washington Son-in-law
Anne Lee Wife
Henrietta Lee Daughter
Anne Lee Daughter
Hannah Lee Washington Daughter
Sally Lee Daughter
Harriet Lee Daughter
Mary Lee Washington Daughter
Arthur Lee Brother
Francis Lightfoot Lee Son
Cassius Lee Son
Ludwell Lee Son
Mary Lee Daughter
Hannah Lee Daughter. - ↑
Marriage:
"Virginia, U.S., Marriages of the Northern Neck of Virginia, U.S., 1649-1800"
Original data: Headley, Robert K. Married Well and Often: Marriages of the Northern Neck of Virginia, 1649-1800. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2003
Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 5063 #4110 (accessed 29 March 2024)
Francis Lightfoot Lee marriage to Rebecca Plater Tayloe on 25 May 1769. - ↑
"Virginia, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-current"
The Virginia Gazette; Publication Date: 16/ Mar/ 1769; Publication Place: Williamsburg, Virginia, USA; URL: https://www.newspapers.com/image/40482004/?article=4b954e88-ca27-4841-ac2c-035ef730a9d7&xid=5588&terms=FRANCIS_LIGHTFOOT_LEE
Ancestry Record 50081 #4642923868 (accessed 29 March 2024)
Francis Lightfoot Lee marriage to undefined on 16 Mar 1769 in Williamsburg, Virginia, USA. - ↑
Burial:
"U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current"
Find A Grave: Memorial #2809
Ancestry Record 60525 #1369817 (accessed 29 March 2024)
Francis Lightfoot Lee burial (died on 11 Jan 1797) in Tayloe Cemetery, Warsaw, Richmond County, Virginia, United States of America. Born on 14 Oct 1734. - ↑ Dill, Alonzo Thomas, Francis Lightfoot Lee, The Incomparable Signer. (Williamsburg: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 1977)
- ↑ The House & Home Magazine, Menokin (4037 Menokin Road) 5 April 2018. Accessed 30 March 2024.
- ↑ McGaughy, J.. "Francis Lightfoot Lee (1734–1797)" Encyclopedia Virginia. Accessed 30 Mar 2024.
- ↑ “Francis Lightfoot Lee.” Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence Accessed 30 Mar 2024.
See also:
- Wikipedia contributors, "Francis Lightfoot Lee," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia (accessed March 29, 2024).
- Wikipedia contributors, "Menokin," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia (accessed March 30, 2024).
- "2018 Historic Garden Week -- Historic Gems Shine on in Richmond," The House and Home Magazine. Accessed 29 Mar 2024.
Acknowledgments
- Thanks to Lynda Hull for starting this profile.
Sponsored Search by Ancestry.com
DNA Connections
It may be possible to confirm family relationships. It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with Francis:
It may be possible to confirm family relationships. It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with Francis:
-
~0.78%
~6.25%
Pete Stark 
:
AncestryDNA, GEDmatch A266883 [compare], Ancestry member pstark29
-
~0.78%
Sarah (Hutto) Brumble :
Family Tree DNA Family Finder, FTDNA kit #MK40340
+
MyHeritage DNA, GEDmatch T108846 [compare]
Featured Eurovision connections: Francis is 27 degrees from Agnetha Fältskog, 21 degrees from Anni-Frid Synni Reuß, 25 degrees from Corry Brokken, 19 degrees from Céline Dion, 22 degrees from Françoise Dorin, 22 degrees from France Gall, 23 degrees from Lulu Kennedy-Cairns, 23 degrees from Lill-Babs Svensson, 18 degrees from Olivia Newton-John, 28 degrees from Henriette Nanette Paërl, 31 degrees from Annie Schmidt and 14 degrees from Moira Kennedy on our single family tree. Login to see how you relate to 33 million family members.
L > Lee > Francis Lightfoot Lee
Categories: Signers of the Articles of Confederation | Signers of the United States Declaration of Independence | Signers of Leedstown Resolutions, 1766 | 1776 Project Needs Biography Development | 1776 Project Needs Additional Sources | American Founding Fathers | Notables
The purported parents Francis Lee and Rebecca Tayloe are unsourced, and the Francis Lee profiles states: "They never had any children.", though that statement is also unsourced.
I have added research notes to Lucy's profile reflecting this current status, and propose to detach the parents in 3 days unless a reliable source is added for these relationships.
edited by Ellen Altenburg
See the Photograph.
Menokin (4037 Menokin Road)
Former home to Francis Lightfoot Lee, Menokin (c.1769) is the only house of the seven Virginia signers of the Declaration of Independence that is not fully protected and saved. Rather than being reconstructed, new preservation and display techniques highlight the historic fabric of the building. The exterior is partially encased in structural glass. Indoors, plans include a glass catwalk and transparent floor to allow visitors to see from the third floor to the basement. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1971, the Foundation is currently working on Phase 1 of the Glasshouse Project. Menokin Foundation, owner.
http://thehouseandhomemagazine.com/culture/2018-historic-garden-week-historic-gems-shine-on/
edited by Richard (Jordan) J