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LEE FAMILY GENEALOGY (Subject most asked about):
1. Q. Isn't there a family tree that shows Robert's descendants to the present. Maybe show any
that are still living today ?
A. You can find a complete list of Robert E. Lee descendants, living and dead, at:
http://www.stratfordhall.org
2. Q. How do I go about trying to find out if I am related to Robert E. Lee?
A. Check the Lees of Virginia at: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/7590/Lee_RobtE.htm.
Another source would be the Alexandria VA Library Special Collections Department at:
http://www.alexandria.lib.va.us/lhsc/special_collections_home.html. The Library is very
helpful and has a large Lee collection.
3. Q. What is the Lee family Coat of Arms?
A. I am no heraldry expert; therefore, I can't distinguish between one
Lee coat-of-arms and another. Using the Google search engine, I found three
different responses to a request for "Lee coats-of-arms," none of which is
that used by the Lee Boyhood Home.
The one used by the experts at the Home is the most complex with four
quartering shields, a squirrel above the shield, and the Latin motto,
"Non Incautus Futuri" -- "Not unmindful of the future," below.
4. Q. I think I am related to the Lee's through their Fitzhugh Connection. Can you help me?
A. The most knowledgeable person I know about the Fitzhugh family is Charleen Oerding at:
hotomy@hevanet.com. If she doesn't know the answer herself, I am sure she is in contact with
the Fitzhugh Society and can help you find out.
ABOUT THE LEE BOYHOOD HOME:
1. Q.If Robert E. Lee's Boyhood home is not a museum anymore, what is it being used for?
Is there anyway I can get a history of who lived there like at the Lee-Fendall House?
A.The Lee Boyhood Home was sold in March 2000 to Mark and Ann Kington of Alexandria, VA. It
is now their private residence. Should you wish, I would be happy to mail you a copy of the
Chain of Title to the home from it's construction to its acquisition by the Lee-Jackson
Foundation. Note: The Chain of Title is now part of the Boyhood Home Virtual Museum.
2 Q. Can you tell me what conveniences have been added to the home since General Lee's time and
when?
A. Conveniences and dates installed at 607 Oronoco were:
Running water -- 1833;
Gas lights -- 1848;
Central heating -- 1853;
Electricity -- 1891.
3 Q.I am interested in scheduling a tour of your facility for next year - the evening of
Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003. I would have approximately 40-50 people on this tour. Is this
something I can schedule this far in advance? And if so, I would like to know if you have
dining facilities or have an agreement with a local restaurant? Please send any information to
me via e-mail, if possible, or my mailing address is below.
A. I deeply regret that the Lee Boyhood Home has not been available for tours since its sale
on 2 March 2000 to a private buyer for his residence. Your interest is appreciated and I trust
you join me in the hope that it may eventually be returned to the public domain.
4. Q [Message from the Netherlands] ... can you please send me an official photograph of
General Lee? I believe this great man deserves a honorable place in my home.
A. I am sorry, but the "Virtual" Museum is a web site only and has no artifacts such as
pictures to send. Such pictures as we have are available for download on line as part of the
"portrait gallery." You might visit Lee's birthplace site at http://stratfordhall.org. I am sure
they have Lee portraits for sale.
ROBERT E. LEE PERSONAL INFORMATION:
1. Q. I live in S. California and I have been searching through a packet
of very old photos and tintypes and have a small photo of General Robert
E. Lee in uniform, I have researched it somewhat and have been unable to
locate it in any book or on computer. If you can help with this,
I will be grateful. It's a very fine picture and he appears to be younger
than all the other photos that I have seen of him.
A. The earliest known likeness of General Lee is a portrait painted in 1838
when he was 31 years old.
the picture, in the uniform of a captain of US Army Corp of Engineers,
appears in the Museum gallery.
2. Q. What were General Lee's dying words?
A. General Lee left no dying utterance. On the evening of September 28,
1871, in the words of Paul C. Nagel in The Lees of Virginia: "He seated
himself at the table and undertook to say a prayer, but he could not speak.
He had been silenced when one of the clogged arteries to his brain
apparently ceased to function." General Lee lingered on until October 12,
but speech was impossible.
3. Q. I've enjoyed touring your sites on Robert E. Lee. All I'm missing is
his horse's name. I understand that he always rode the same horse. Would
you kindly tell me what it is?
A. Robert E. Lee's famous horse was named "Traveller." The horse is
buried next to the Lee Chapel at Washington and Lee University in Lexington,
VA.
4. Q. [From the Pentagon] Hoping you can answer a question for me: How tall was Robert E. Lee?
A. In April, 1861, according to Douglas Southall Freeman's Lee, the general, age 54, was
5' 11" tall and weighed 170 pounds.
THE TWO MRS. LIGHT HORSE HARRY LEE:
1. Q. Seeking information about Robert E. Lee's mother having been
accidentally buried alive, discovered by a servant, rescued. Listening for a reply.
A. I checked the Boyhood Home research files today and came up with an article from the
Washington Star of 13 Feb 1966 which referred to Mrs. Lee's "fear of being buried alive. Mrs.
Lee, a victim of narcolepsy, had been [buried alive ?] at the age of 17." There were no
further details, but it does substantiate the story you heard.
2. A.Thanks so much for the info. I did not have this information before.
This brings up another question now. Do you happen to know if R.E.L.'s
father's first wife, Matilda, was married to anyone else?
A.Matilda Lee (1764-90) was the daughter of Philip Ludwell Lee (1727-75) of Stratford.
Her marriage to Henry "Light-horse Harry" Lee (1756-1818) was her only marriage.
3. Q.I am looking to find a picture or some information on the engagement ring
that Gen. Lee would have given his wife. Would you have any information that
could help me locate a picture?
A. We are informed by one of our viewers who has seen it that, "It is a platinum ring with two
good quality (by my guess)2-3 carat diamonds on either side of a flawless 2-3 carat deep blue
sapphire. The platinum mounting is very mid-Victorian being handmade and in a network pattern."
The ring is a prized possession of a Lee descendant.
MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS:
1. Q.Where, exactly, will I find Stratford Hall? I understand it has a dinner place. I plan a
visit to the area during Christmas week and would like to eat there.
A. Stratford Hall may be reached off I-95 exit 130 in Fredericksburg, VA. Proceed east onto
state route 3. Follow SR 3 for about 50 minutes until you reach SR 214. Stratford Hall is 2
miles down 214. The dining room is closed on Christmas. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit. There
is a lot to see. It's well worth the trip.
2.Q.I am looking for information on the Lee-Jackson Scholarship Program and I am unable to
find it on the Internet. If you can help, I'd surely
appreciate it.
A. The latest link is available on the Boyhood Home Virtual Museum at the Service Desk.
3. Q. A teacher in Iowa planning to visit Virginia asked about required prior arrangements
to visit the Cross Keys and McDowell sites owned by the Lee-Jackson Foundation.
A. The Lee Boyhood Home Virtual Museum has no connection with the Lee-Jackson Foundation.
Foundation scholarship information is provided only as a service to eligible Virginia students.
For the information you seek, contact the Foundation directly at the address given.