• General 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. 

Details of Colonel Richard's family with Anne Constable Owen