Obituaries for Francis Lightfoot Lee and Rebecca Tayloe Lee

The Republican Citizen. &c. Fredericksburg , January 11, 1797 .

“Departed this life, on Saturday last, after a short illness, M--. Rebecca Lee, wife of Francis Lightfoot Lee, esq. of Menokin.—She was a lady highly eminent for every social and domestic virtue, and her loss must be deeply felt and regretted by her numerous relations, friends and acquaintance.”

Citizen Office. Fredericksburg , February 15

“Died, at his seat in Richmond county, on Wednesday the 11 th ult. In the 63 rd year of his age, Francis Lightfoot Lee, Esq. He was an early, zealous, and active friend to the revolution, which establishest the Independence of the United States of America . He was a firm, calm, and enlightened patriot, and a most unequaled social companion. He met his fate with that composed fortitude, which must always flow from the recollection of a well spent life, and those who witnessed it, were ready to exclaim, Oh! Let us die the death of the righteous; and let our last end be like his!”

Memorial Letter Written by Portia or Cornelia Lee, daughters of William Lee

Frank and Becky Lee reared the daughters of Frank's younger brother William after his wife died. The girls lived with their aunt and uncle at Menokin from the ages of about 7 and 9 and were approximately 18 and 20 years old when the Lees dies in 1797.

From the Papers of Edmund Jennings Lee II, Perkins Library, Duke University

On Saturday the 7 th of Jan'ry, 1797 at half past 2 in the morning departed this life Mrs. Reb a Lee, my dear and valued Aunt after a short though severe illness of 8 days. In her we have lost a kind and sincere Friend the remembrance of here care and attention of my childhood will ever be treasured (and) with Gratitude and affection and may my future conduct be as blameless and unexceptionable as hers.

(Died?) Wednesday 18 Jan'ry, 1797, 8 o'clock in the evening, Only 11 days after the dear partner of his heart my much Lov'd and honour'd Uncle Fra s Lightfoot Lee. All the kindness of a Father we experienced from him during the eleven happy years we lived with him. In every situation he was an exemplary character and both himself and my darling Aunt were patrons of conjugal affection. They enjoyed 28 years of uninterrupted Felicity and not even that Cruel Spoiler (Death) had ___ in his Power to divide them. He retained his senses to the hour of his dissolution and in his last awful moments manifested that ______ resignations composure which is only to be produced by a conscience vow of guilt.