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Lee Family Collection
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Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
Arthur Lee, American revolutionary and diplomat, was the brother of Francis Lightfoot and Richard Henry Lee. After the outbreak of the American Revolution, he was made a commissioner for the Continental Congress to seek foreign aid.
Charles Lee was a U.S. statesman and lawyer, and brother of Henry "Light-Horse Harry" Lee. He graduated from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton) in 1775. He was a naval officer in Virginia (1777-1789) and a customs collector in Alexandria, Va. (1789-1793), was admitted to the bar (1794) while serving in the Virginia state house (1793-1795), and was appointed attorney general under Presidents Washington and John Adams (1795-1801). He was one of the prosecutors in the treason trial of Aaron Burr.
Henry Lee, better known as "Light-Horse Harry Lee," was a soldier and statesman. He was born at Leesylvania, near Dumfries, Prince William County, Va. He was a cousin of Francis Lightfoot Lee, Richard Henry Lee, and William Lee and was the father of Robert Edward Lee. Lee graduated from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), in 1773. As a cavalry commander he first gained wide notice for his capture of the fort at Paulus Hook (now in Jersey City), N.J., on Aug. 19, 1779. He was elected to congress in 1785; was governor of Virginia from 1791 to 1794, and in 1794 he commanded the troops who suppressed the Whiskey Rebellion. Henry Lee was the author of Memoirs of the War in the Southern Department of the United States (1812).
Fitzhugh Lee, nephew of Robert E. Lee and grandson of "Light-Horse Harry Lee," was a Confederate cavalry general in the American Civil War, governor of Virginia, diplomat, and U.S. Army general in the Spanish-American War.
Francis Lightfoot Lee, of Stratford, was a cousin of Henry Lee of Leesylvania, Va. He was a revolutionist and statesman, and a member of the most talented group of brothers in Virginia history which included Richard Henry, Arthur, and William Lee. He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Richard Henry Lee, a delegate and a senator from Virginia, was the brother of Francis Lightfoot Lee. He was a member of the Continental Congress (1774-1779), sponsor of the independence resolution, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, author of the first national Thanksgiving Day proclamation issued by Congress at York, Pa., October 31, 1777, and a state delegate (1777, 1780, 1785).
Robert E. Lee was general-in-chief of the Confederate armies in the American Civil War. He was the fifth son of Henry "Light-Horse Harry" Lee. Many historians consider Robert E. Lee the greatest general of the Civil War.
The collection consists of selected letters and documents by and about two branches of the Lee family of Virginia. Included are letters of Charles Lee, Fitzhugh Lee, Francis Lightfoot Lee, Henry Lee ("Light-Horse Harry Lee"), Richard Henry Lee, and Robert E. Lee. Other correspondents include John Fitzgerald, Socrates Maupin, John Nicholson, Ebenezer Rockwood, Winthrop Sergeant, and J. D. Woodward. The documents include "A return of the clothing on hand of the sick at the General's Hospital . . . ," signed by Andrew Lee; a copy of a statement of Henry Lee's indebtedness to Bushrod Washington; and a power of attorney for Richard Wells, signed by Richard Henry Lee and dated 1794, allowing Wells to receive interest accruing from stocks and bonds on Lee's behalf. Also included is a steel engraved portrait of Henry Lee done by J. Herring, as well as documents concerning Henry Lee's estate, copies of letters by Arthur Lee, written in English and in French, and typewritten copies of ten letters of Robert E. Lee to his friend John Mackay.
Arranged in alphabetical order.
The collection was formed as a result of a Departmental practice of combining into one collection material of various accessions relating to a particular person, family, or subject.
Letter from Henry Lee to Winthrop Sergeant and steel engraving were a gift in April, 1947.
Letter concerning clothing of the sick was purchased on January 28, 1943.
Letter from Robert E. Lee to Prof. Socrates Maupin was a gift of Cyrus H. McCormick in March, 1947.
Letter of Fitzhugh Lee and letter from Charles Lee to Henry Lee, dated Aug. 22, 1794, were a gift of Cyrus H. McCormick in April, 1947.
Six letters from Francis Lightfoot to Ebenezer Rockwood were a gift of Miss Katherine C. Rockwood in April, 1948.
Henry Lee's statement of indebtedness was a gift of Alexander W. Armour in January, 1950.
Memorabilia of Henry Lee and John Lee was a gift of Cyrus H. McCormick in May, 1952.
Ten letters from Robert E. Lee to John Mackay were a gift of Paul R. Applegate, Jr., on August 20, 1963.
Letter from Henry Lee to Alexander William were a gift of Mrs. Archibald Crossley on December 30, 1964.
Letter from Henry Lee to John Fitzgerald was a gift of Brandon Barringer, Princeton Class of 1912, in September 11, 1972.
This collection was processed by Dina Britain on May 18, 2006. Finding aid written by Dina Britain on May 19, 2006.
Folder inventory added by Nicholas Williams '2015 in 2012.
No appraisal information is available.
People
- Lee, Arthur, 1740-1792
- Lee, Charles, 1758-1815
- Lee, Fitzhugh, 1835-1905
- Lee, Francis Lightfoot, 1734-1797
- Lee, Henry, 1756-1818
- Lee, Richard Henry, 1732-1794
- Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870
Place
- Publisher
- Manuscripts Division
- Finding Aid Date
- 2006
- Access Restrictions
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The collection is open for research.
- Use Restrictions
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Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to RBSC Public Services staff through the Ask Us! form. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.
Collection Inventory
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