| Notes |
Richard Lee, Col. b. 1617/18, Worcestershire, England, d. 1 Mar 1664,
Dividing Creek, Northumberland Co., VA, m. Mar 1641, Jamestown, VA,
Ann Constable b. 1621/22, England. An early account of Richard Lee is
given in Lee of VA, p. 49, in a passage written by William Lee in
1771, is as follows: “Richard Lee, of a good family in Shropshire (and
whose Picture I am told is now at Coton, near Bridgenorth, the seat of
Launcelot Lee, Esq.), some time in the Reign of Charles the first,
went over to the Colony of Virginia, as Secretary, and one of the
King’s Privy Council….He was a man of good Stature, comely visage, and
enterprising genius, a sound head, vigorous spirit and generous
nature. When he got to Virginia, which was at that time not much
cultivated, he was so pleased with the Country that he made large
settlements there with the servants he had carried over; after some
years, he returned to England, and gave away all the lands he had
taken up, and settled at his own expense, to those servants he had
fixed on them; some of whose descendants are now possessed of very
considerable Estates in that Colony. After staying some Time in
England, he returned again to Virginia, with a fresh band of
Adventurers, all of whom he settled there.” In 1646, Richard Lee sat
on the York bench as a magistrate, with a Dr. Henry Lee, who married
Marah Adkins. Richard patented 1,250 acres in York Co., VA in 1648,
and named, amongst his headrights, Henry, Matthew, and George Lee, who
may have been his relatives. That Richard settled first in York Co.,
is proven by the grant of 1,000 acres, dated 10 Aug 1642; the patent
states that his land was due “unto the said Richard Lee by and for his
own personal Adventure, his wife Ann, and John Francis and by
assignment from Mr. Thomas Hill, Florentine Paine and William Freeman
of their right of land due for the transportation of Seaventeene
p’sons.” This land was the plantation, Paradise in his will, and
bequeathed to his second son, Richard. This name is frequently applied
to subsequent records to this plantation; as on the 22nd of July,
1674, in a patent issued to “Major Richard Lee for 1,140 acres in
Gloster, called Paradise, on a branch of Poropotank Creek; 1,000
thereof being due to said Richard Lee by two former patents, and the
residence now found to be within the bounds.” Richard represented York
County as Burgess in 1647, and in 1651 “Mr. Lee” was paid for services
as Burgess of Northumberland County. “It seems possible that Richard
Lee was engaged in commerce as well as agriculture, and that he had an
interest in vessels trading between England and Virginia, as had many
of the large planters. In his will, he bequeathed to his son, Francis,
his interest in two ships, which was 1/8th part in each vessel. He
appears to have made frequent voyages to and fro; being in England in
1654-55, again in 1659, and later in 1661 and in 1663.” Richard’s
first home in Virginia was on the York River, near the head of
Poropotank Creek, where he had a store or warehouse. His next home was
located on the Dividing Creeks in Northumberland, which afforded a
very safe harbor. The main creek is only a mile or two long; then it
divides into branches, which makes several small peninsulas or “necks”
as they were formerly called. On two of these necks Richard Lee
located his two plantations, where we can find grants for 800 and 600
acres in 1651 and 1656 respectively. Richard was not only Burgess for
several counties, but served in several capacities, having been
Justice, member of the Council and Secretary of State. He also served
on various commissions. [See Lee of VA, p.59]. While in England in
1663, his wife and children being there also, Richard made his will;
the wording of this will indicates that he had given up his intention
of settling permanently in England. For he ordered that his estate
there should be sold, gave minute directions for the payment of his
debts, and closing up of his interests in that country, and made
arrangements for the settlement of his children in Virginia. The
account of his property given in his will shows him to have been
possessed of considerable wealth- for that day. If his tobacco crop
was actually worth L2000 a year, as Gibbon estimated, and his estate
at Stratford-Langton, L800 a year, as stated by William Lee, then
Richard Lee must have enjoyed an income larger than most of the early
planters. His will was executed in London 6 Feb 1663/64, prov. 10 Jan
1664/65, London, England.
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1617 - 1664 (47 years)