Posted on 01/15/2007 6:34:19 AM PST by Pharmboy
Stratford Hall
Robert E. Lee was born here Jan. 19, 1807, at the impressive H-shaped brick home built in 1730-38 by ancestor Thomas Lee. It's in Westmoreland County, about 40 miles east of Fredericksburg.
A leading figure under English rule, Thomas Lee produced sons who were leaders of the Revolutionary War. Two sons -- Richard Henry and Francis Lightfoot Lee -- were the only brothers to sign the Declaration of Independence.
Thomas' granddaughter, Matilda Lee, inherited the house and married another notable Lee, her second cousin Henry "Lighthorse Harry" Lee. "Lighthorse Harry" was a Revolutionary War hero, a governor of Virginia for three years and a member of the Continental Congress. When Matilda died, "Lighthorse Harry" maintained a lifetime right to live at Stratford Hall. He married Ann Hill Carter, whose fifth child was Robert E. Lee.
Faith, family, duty & honor
"Lighthorse Harry" was better at war and politics than business. He invested in several speculative deals that went sour. By the time Robert was learning to walk, his father was in debtor's prison; to get out of prison in 1810, "Lighthorse Harry" had to sell all his possessions. So, when Robert was 4 years old, the family left Stratford Hall for a more manageable house closer to relatives in Alexandria.
snip...
Alexandria
Lee's boyhood home is now a private home at 607 Oronoco St. in Old Town Alexandria, so don't expect to be invited in for a tour even if you remember the days when it was a museum.
In 1812, his father was injured by a mob in Baltimore (Democratic-Republicans attacking Federalists) and moved to the West Indies in a futile attempt to regain his health. By the time Robert was 12, his mother had become an invalid.
(Excerpt) Read more at timesdispatch.com ...
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I amazes me how many conservative republicans denounce him.
Ever since that liberal actor (what's his name?) starred as Robert E. Lee in the movie Gettysburg, that's the picture I have of Lee in my mind.
I believe that some of Robert E. Lee's furniture is still at Stratford Hall...crib, etc ?
He showed that one could accomplish alot even with a rough childhood.
ping
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I'm living-near-Washington & Lee University-and-REL's-tomb bump.
Robert E. Lee *Ping*
Happy Birthday R.E. LEE
Arlington
http://www.generallee.leesliteutenants.com/
Here's a great web site hope you enjoy
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