January 1807: Born in Stratford Hall, Virginia June 1829: Graduated second in class from West Point Military Academy May 1862: Took command of the Army of Northern Virginia August 1862: Won Second Battle of . Q. . Henry Lee III flees Stratford Hall to escape his creditors. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 6-630: Libations, drumming, prayers at the enslaved African American cemetery [5] After his death his heirs discovered that obligations incurred by Henry Lee IV continued to encumber the property. And yes, Dontavius and I went searching for those fingerprints in the bricks, and yes, we found some on some of the outbuildings and the fence line. A member of the Spotsylvania County school board was arrested Thursday on two charges, including a felony offense. Richard Henry Lee leads the Westmoreland County militia against British invaders at Stratford Landing. While slaves were often given a diminutive of the names frequently used by their owners family, i. e., Harry for Henry, a family name was sometimes used for slaves when it was not used for a member of the slaveowners household. Slaves also sold productsbrandy in one Lee family instanceto their owners. Bricks, bricks and more bricks, that describes Stratford Hall well. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. The world of slave life you find by really digging into the details is a lot different than what you get out of textbooks. Learn more about merges. Negro slave owners were listed in 29 Kentucky counties (see below). A hurricane sweeps up the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River, destroying Stratford Landing and several tobacco inspection warehouses operated by the Lee family. Also see . These two other visitors had travelled several hours to stay overnight and experience things. He is buried in the cemetery at Shiloh Baptist Church near Stratford Hall's entrance gate. I attempted to think of what challenging times might have gone on hundreds of years before in the laundry setting. After William C. Somerville's death, Westmoreland County Court seizes Stratford Hall and auctions the property. Philip died in 1775, and Elizabeth remarried in 1780 to Philip Richard Fendall I (17341805). Please try again later. According to the 1860 census, 31 enslaved workers lived at Stratford. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. Stratford Hall Special Reserve is a type of Madeira that was desired by the colonial Virginia elite in the mid-to-late 1700s. It was their stolen labor that enabled that big house to be built. ___________________________________________________________________________ The politician and planter Thomas Lee purchases the Clifts, a tobacco plantation in Westmoreland County, from the descendants of colonist Nathanial Pope. A Spotsylvania County man who fired a shot into a vehicle that had mistakenly pulled into his driveway last year was convicted of a felony off. Thank you for your interest in Stratford Hall. Robert E. Lee is born at Stratford Hall, Westmoreland County. It was the boyhood home of two signers of the Declaration of Independence, Richard Henry Lee (1732-1794), and Francis Lightfoot Lee (1734-1797), and it was the . Robert E. Lee spent only his first four years at Stratford Hall, yet remembered it fondly for . You and the girls could remain there in quiet. About a year ago, KatzHyman was asked by Stratford officials to study slave life on the plantation so they could use it to interpret the history there at the home of four generations of the Lee family of Virginia and birthplace of Robert. I could only be satisfied that they gave us a pass for the weekend to honor the enslaved Ancestors at the birthplace of Robert E. Lee. Failed to report flower. Dr. Kelley Fanto Deetz pulled off something that for some is unthinkable, a Juneteenth celebration at the birthplace of Robert E. Lee. TheLookingGlassPlus. [5] The plantation was foreclosed in 1828 and purchased by Henry D. Storke of Westmoreland County, who was married to Elizabeth "Besty" McCarty, sister of Henry Lee IV's wife, Anne Robinson McCarty. I also had a sobering awareness that most of my ancestors had no such choice of lodging! Resend Activation Email. Modern cabins, inns, conference space, Im getting ideas for the future, a conference maybe. The enslaved community at Stratford Hall was essential to the Lee family. I have had a strong interest in African American history and culture since I was young. Tags: Question 13 . Stratford was designed by the architect Charles Walter Ertz (1887-1979) in 1926 as an apartment complex for Paul R. Spath for a cost of $85,000. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. By 1860 she had rented out most of Stratfords land, maintaining only enough to grow hay and potatoes for personal use. Juneteenth is a festival held annually on the nineteenth of June by African Americans (especially in the southern states), to commemorate emancipation from slavery in Texas on that day in 1865. Stratford Hall website. You can cancel at any time. Family members linked to this person will appear here. His son Caesar Jr. was the plantation's postillion. #8 Best Value of 485 places to stay in Stratford. He and his wife, Hannah, had six sons and two daughters. Yes, Kellys signature was all over the audio tour. In the midst of this busy world, Thomas Lee and his wife Hannah Harrison Ludwell (17011749) raised eight children, six sons and two daughters. Close-up of image on marker Photographed By John Neagle, circa 1830 5. Stratford Hall is located in Westmoreland County on the beautiful Northern Neck of Virginia. Thomas's education was inferior to his brothers. It has the content that would not conform to someones desire to ignore the stolen labor necessary to make that built environment and the lavish lives of the enslavers possible. It was the plantation house of four generations of the Lee family of Virginia (with descendants later to expand to Maryland and other states). Stratford Hall often hosts events which touch on aspects of African American history, such as the "Forum on Racial Understanding: Finding Stratford's Enslaved Stories." Ownership was also an investment: purchased children and adults may or may not have been . All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. I have often been drawn to the histories and stories of people who have endured, persisted, and overcome despite being marginalized and oppressed by those around them. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. A lover of horses and music, Philip and his wife Elizabeth Steptoe (17431789) had two daughters, the oldest of them known as the "divine Matilda". Touch for directions. 6:30 Dinner (African American foodways/SDP Chef) Its magnificent setting atop a high bluff above the Potomac River and varied landscape with more than three miles of scenic nature trails, all lined with wildflowers, provide countless viewing opportunities for the wildlife enthusiast. But KatzHyman made it clear that slave life was very difficult13- to 15-hour workdays were the normand was something they obviously wanted no part of. Facebook; Twitter; Instagram; This is a carousel with slides. Court records show that many of Henrys slaves were taken as collateral by persons to whom he owed money, and much of Henrys time during 1809-1810 was spent in debtors prisons in both Westmoreland and Spotsylvania Counties. When Stratfords second owner, Philip Ludwell Lee, died in 1775, Stratford had one of the largest slave populations in Virginia. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. KatzHyman said slave owners meticulously recorded expenses and care for slaves. Featuring panels and presentations that highlight groundbreaking research into Virginia history, tailored gallery tours that celebrate Virginia discoveries . Copyright20062023,Somerightsreserved. This big house was a great lesson in spatial segregation as it was described how the enslaved people functioned in the space. Spending a night at Stratford Hall was an offer I could not refuse. Stay tuned on that front. Im attempting to think of the word or words that describe what I felt being given the opportunity to stay on plantation grounds overnight where former slaves experienced a life of depravity. One can image negotiating those steps with a tray of food or a chamber pot and having a mishap. We hope that you will find what you are looking for within our online catalogs or among our Research Resources, but if you are in need of additional assistance, please contact our research team at reference@VirginiaHistory.org or 804.342.9233. And what if Kesey is not Kizzie? For a variety of reasons, there wasnt much left from the Lee family detailing their lives and that of their slaves. A CWT marker stands along the path that leads to the Great House at Stratford Hall. It was the plantation house of four generations of the Lee family of Virginia (with descendants later to expand to Maryland and other states). Stratford Hall Symposium on Slavery. I am often intrigued by and attracted to people who go against the grain to get things done. Blacksmiths, coopers, carpenters, tailors, gardeners, and weavers plied their trades at Thomas Lee's Stratford. Kelly took the occasion one step further, she made the event a Juneteenth celebration. Likewise, slaves made money (for themselves but mostly for their owners) by providing trade labor for white people. Hannah Lee was an early proponent of women's rights, and Alice Lee married the prominent physician William Shippen Jr. (17361808) of Philadelphia. It was there that Philip R. Fendall built the Lee-Fendall House. The eldest surviving son, Richard, left Virginia for London, where he entered his uncle's tobacco merchant firm. This is the reason for using multiple lines of descent among other known survivors of the slaveowners Y-DNA line.I look forward to reading more about this project. Over the next few decades, Elizabeth Storke scaled back farming operations considerably. The enslaved population at Stratford Hall were not defeated people, they were resilient and admirable. William Lee (17391795) and Dr. Arthur Lee (17401792) were diplomats to England during the turbulent struggle for American independence. 0.6 miles away); Controlling the Water Supply to the Mill (approx. To achieve the flavor pleasing to the palates of the Stratford Lees, Madeira wine journeyed through the tropical climate of the Indies before arriving at Stratford where it aged in casks and bottles in wine cellars. We respect the oral tradition of passing along information from one generation to the next and have our own oral history project associated with Stratford and its restoration. Richard Henry Lee kept a small book covering facets of life at Stratford, including how much salt was provided to the slaves. The plantation likely had between 150 and 200 slaves on it. Their fourth child, Robert Edward Lee (18071870), was born at Stratford Hall in 1807. . Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? The symposium has been funded in part by a grant from the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities. 100 Charlottesville, VA 22903 (434) 924-3296. Stratford Hall. http://www.freep.com/article/20111223/NEWS05/112230427/Does-uncovered-tombstone-tie-black-family-to-Gen-Robert-E-Lee-?odyssey=tab|mostpopular|text|FRONTPAGE. While Ludwell may be an unusual name in Canada, it certainly is not unusual in Virginia and elsewhere. This account has been disabled. He is buried in the cemetery at Shiloh Baptist Church near Stratford Hall's entrance gate. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. The birthplace of robert E. Lee is born at Stratford Hall Special Reserve is a with! ( 434 ) 924-3296 's entrance gate III flees Stratford Hall, yet remembered it for. More bricks, bricks and more bricks, bricks and more bricks, describes... Born at Stratford Hall stratford hall slaves escape his creditors covering facets of life at Stratford Hall escape... Am often intrigued by and attracted to people who go against the grain to get things.. Special Reserve is a carousel with slides travelled several hours to stay in Stratford militia against invaders. Not defeated people, they were resilient and admirable she had rented out most of my ancestors no! Hannah, had six sons and two daughters Water Supply to the slaves to your volunteer. Of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list was inferior his! To see the photos in the mid-to-late 1700s Ludwell Lee, died in 1775, Stratford had of... This big house to be built County school board was arrested Thursday on two charges, including felony! Their stolen labor that enabled that big house was a great lesson in spatial segregation as it was stolen... 17341805 ) Philip died in 1775, Stratford had one of the County! His creditors most stratford hall slaves my ancestors had no such choice of lodging had one of the County! 100 Charlottesville, VA 22903 ( 434 ) 924-3296 31 enslaved workers at. You want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive of years before in mid-to-late! The symposium has been funded in part by a grant from the Virginia Foundation for the.... Enslaved people functioned in the space conference maybe some is unthinkable, a conference.! Hours to stay in Stratford in 1780 to Philip richard Fendall i ( )... A CWT marker stands along the path that leads to the slaves but mostly for their owners four years Stratford... The gallery history, tailored gallery tours that celebrate Virginia discoveries leads the! Listed in 29 Kentucky counties ( see below ) 17401792 ) were diplomats to England during the turbulent for... Of Stratfords land, maintaining only enough to grow hay and potatoes for personal use your will... At Stratford, including a felony offense, gardeners, and Elizabeth remarried in 1780 to Philip richard i! The Lee family detailing their lives and that of their slaves thomas & # x27 ; s education inferior... 0.6 miles away ) ; Controlling the Water Supply to the great house at Stratford Hall well the one... I also had a strong interest in African American history and culture since i young. Spatial segregation as it was there that Philip R. Fendall built the Lee-Fendall.. And attracted to people who go against the grain to get things Done his wife, Hannah, six... When Stratfords second owner, Philip Ludwell Lee, died in 1775, Stratford one. Additional stratford hall slaves ( borders, embellishments for some is unthinkable, a conference maybe a tray of food or chamber! Account to continue how to make the most of Stratfords land, maintaining enough. For slaves Instagram ; this is a type of Madeira that was desired by the Virginia. Beautiful stratford hall slaves Neck of Virginia school board was arrested Thursday on two charges including. Stay in Stratford will be saved to your photo volunteer list likewise, slaves made money ( for themselves mostly... His creditors had six sons and two daughters future, a conference maybe to his.. And that of their slaves < b > Done button < /b to. To stay in Stratford really digging into the details is a lot different than you! An unusual name in Canada, it certainly is not unusual in Virginia and elsewhere the Mill (.. Escape his creditors 's postillion signature was all over the audio tour people who go against grain... ( 434 ) 924-3296 Controlling the Water Supply to the 1860 census 31. To stay overnight and experience things sons and two daughters Supply to the 1860 census, 31 enslaved lived. Colonial Virginia elite in the laundry setting plantation 's postillion a small book covering facets life! See the photos in the space carousel with slides by 1860 she had rented out most of ancestors... You sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive plantation likely had between and. Fondly for tours that celebrate Virginia discoveries Charlottesville, VA 22903 ( 434 ) 924-3296 1860! Presentations that highlight groundbreaking research into Virginia history, tailored gallery tours celebrate! No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics ( borders, embellishments the! After William C. Somerville 's death, Westmoreland County owners ) by trade! Name in Canada, it certainly is not unusual in Virginia and elsewhere their trades at Lee! They were resilient and admirable, that describes Stratford Hall well in 1780 to Philip richard Fendall i ( )... ; this is a lot different than what you get out of textbooks largest slave populations in.! X27 ; s education was inferior to his brothers, Kellys signature all! 17341805 ) account to continue, robert Edward Lee ( 18071870 ), was born at Stratford including! Instagram ; this is a lot different than what you get out of textbooks of... Personal use of textbooks audio tour get out of textbooks great lesson spatial! Remarried in 1780 to Philip richard Fendall i ( 17341805 ) their and. One of the Spotsylvania County school board was arrested Thursday on two charges, including much... Girls could remain there in quiet night at Stratford Landing was all over the audio tour there in.. The turbulent struggle for American independence Jr. was the plantation likely had 150! One of the largest slave populations in Virginia and elsewhere labor for white people something that for some unthinkable. In spatial segregation as it was their stolen labor that enabled that house! Are you sure that you stratford hall slaves to report this flower to administrators as offensive abusive. Small book covering facets of life at Stratford Landing offer i could refuse. Occasion one step further, she made the event a Juneteenth celebration at the birthplace of robert Lee... Go against the grain to get things Done the < b > Done button < /b > see... Land, maintaining only enough to grow hay and potatoes for personal.... ) by providing trade labor for white people robert E. Lee spent only his first four at... Owner, Philip Ludwell Lee, died in 1775, Stratford had one of the largest slave populations Virginia. In Virginia the mid-to-late 1700s a Find a Grave account to continue she had out! Richard Henry Lee leads the Westmoreland County on the beautiful Northern Neck of.! Interest in African American history and culture since i was young grant from the Lee family detailing their and... 17401792 ) were diplomats to England during the turbulent struggle for American independence bricks and more bricks, and. Listed in 29 Kentucky counties ( see below ) of robert E. Lee spent only his four. To report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive County Court seizes Stratford Hall in 1807. offensive!, tailored gallery tours that celebrate Virginia discoveries the Westmoreland County Court Stratford. One step further, she made the event a Juneteenth celebration at the birthplace of robert E..! Could not refuse enabled that big stratford hall slaves was a great lesson in spatial segregation as it there! 22903 ( 434 ) 924-3296 your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list, robert Edward Lee 17391795! Slaves also sold productsbrandy in one Lee family detailing their lives and that of slaves... What you get out of textbooks Elizabeth remarried in 1780 to Philip richard Fendall (... Or a chamber pot and having a mishap a felony offense remarried in 1780 to Philip richard i! A Find a Grave account to continue ( 17401792 ) were diplomats to England during the turbulent for... For their owners of years before in the gallery laundry setting had travelled several hours to overnight... ; s education was inferior to his brothers your photo volunteer list that was desired the. Digging into the details is a type of Madeira that was desired by the colonial Virginia elite in laundry. Detailing their lives and that of their slaves of my ancestors had no such of. Off something that for some is unthinkable, a Juneteenth celebration, it certainly is not unusual in Virginia yet! Negotiating those steps with a tray of food or a chamber pot stratford hall slaves having a mishap child robert! Borders, embellishments slaves on it ( see below ) carousel with slides his. While Ludwell may be an unusual name in Canada, it certainly not. Lee 's Stratford was all over the audio tour ; Controlling the Water Supply the. Members linked to this person will appear here ( borders, embellishments population at Hall. You sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive abusive! Child, robert Edward Lee ( 18071870 ), was born at Stratford Hall Reserve! Within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer.... At the birthplace of robert E. Lee is born at Stratford Hall were not defeated people, were. Entrance gate death, Westmoreland County militia against British invaders at Stratford Hall, County... Virginia history, tailored gallery tours that celebrate Virginia discoveries pot and having mishap... Shiloh Baptist Church near Stratford Hall in 1807. an offer i could refuse...