The Lees of Virginia : Seven Generations of an American Family

In The Lees of Virginia, Paul Nagel chronicles seven generations of Lees, from the family founder Richard to General Robert E. Lee, covering over two hundred years of American history. We meet Thomas Lee, who dreamed of America as a continental empire. His daughter was Hannah Lee Corbin, a non-conformist in lifestyle and religion, while his son, Richard Henry Lee, was a tempestuous figure who wore black silk over a disfigured hand when he made the motion in Congress for Independence. Another of Thomas' sons, Arthur Lee, created a political storm by his accusations against Benjamin Franklin. Arthur's cousin was Light-Horse Harry Lee, a controversial cavalry officer in the Revolutionary War, whose wild real estate speculation led to imprisonment for debt and finally self-exile in the Caribbean. One of Harry's sons, Henry Lee, further disgraced the family by seducing his sister-in-law and frittering away Stratford, the Lees' ancestral home. Another son, however, became the family's redeeming figure--Robert E. Lee, a brilliant tactician who is still revered for his lofty character and military success. In these and numerous other portraits, Nagel discloses how, from 1640 to 1870, a family spirit united the Lees, making them a force in Virginian and American affairs. Paul Nagel is a leading chronicler of families prominent in our history. His Descent from Glory, a masterful narrative account of four generations of Adamses, was hailed by The New Yorker as "intelligent, tactful, and spiritually generous," and Pulitzer Prize-winning historian W.A. Swanberg, in the Chicago Sun-Times, called it "a magnificent embarrassment of biographical riches." Now, in The Lees of Virginia, Nagel brings his skills to bear on another major American family, taking readers inside the great estates of the Old Dominion and the turbulent lives of the Lee men and women.

Whether opposing Nathaniel Bacon and his Rebels in 1676, or condemning English colonial policy in 1776, or turning back the Union Army at the Seven Days' battles of 1862, the descendants of Richard and Anne Lee have occupied a preeminent place in American history. They were among the first families of Virginia. Two were signers of the Declaration of Independence and several others distinguished themselves during the Revolutionary War. And one, Robert E. Lee, remains widely admired for his lofty character and military success.
In The Lees of Virginia, Paul Nagel chronicles seven generations of Lees, from the family founder Richard to General Robert E. Lee, covering over two hundred years of American history. We meet Thomas Lee, who dreamed of America as a continental empire. His daughter was Hannah Lee Corbin, a non-conformist in lifestyle and religion, while his son, Richard Henry Lee, was a tempestuous figure who wore black silk over a disfigured hand when he made the motion in Congress for Independence. Another of Thomas' sons, Arthur Lee, created a political storm by his accusations against Benjamin Franklin. Arthur's cousin was Light-Horse Harry Lee, a controversial cavalry officer in the Revolutionary War, whose wild real estate speculation led to imprisonment for debt and finally self-exile in the Caribbean. One of Harry's sons, Henry Lee, further disgraced the family by seducing his sister-in-law and frittering away Stratford, the Lees' ancestral home. Another son, however, became the family's redeeming figure—Robert E. Lee, a brilliant tactician whose ruling motto was self-denial and who saw God's hand in all things. In these and numerous other portraits, Nagel discloses how, from 1640 to 1870, a family spirit united the Lees, making them a force in Virginian and American affairs.
Paul Nagel is a leading chronicler of families prominent in our history. His Descent from Glory, a masterful narrative account of four generations of Adamses, was a Book-of-the-Month Club main selection and a brilliant critical and popular success. The New Yorker hailed it as "intelligent, tactful, and spiritually generous," and Pulitzer Prize-winning historian W.A. Swanberg, in the Chicago Sun-Times, called it "a magnificent embarrassment of biographical riches." Now, in The Lees of Virginia, Nagel brings his skills to bear on another major American family, taking readers inside the great estates of the Old Dominion and the turbulent lives of the Lee men and women.

Whether Opposing Nathaniel Bacon And His Rebels In 1676, Or Condemning English Colonial Policy In 1776, Or Turning Back The Union Army At The Seven Days' Battles Of 1862, The Descendants Of Richard And Anne Lee Have Occupied A Preeminent Place In American History. They Were Among The First Families Of Virginia. Two Were Signers Of The Declaration Of Independence And Several Others Distinguished Them- Selves During The Revolutionary War. And One, Robert E. Lee, Remains Widely Admired For His Loft Character And Military Success. In 'the Lees Of Virginia,' Paul Nagel Chronicles Seven Generations Of Lees, From The Family Founder Richard To General Robert E. Lee, Covering Over Two Hundred Years Of American History--front Flyleaf Of Paper Cover (attached To Front Lining Papers Of Book). Prologue : At Mrs. Shippen's -- The Founders : 1640-1670 -- The Scholar : 1664-1715 -- The Partners : 1700-1750 -- The Squire And The Widow : 1750-1795 -- Dear Brother... : 1750-1774 -- Politics In Virginia : 1758-1774 -- Ambition In London : 1768-1774 -- A Test Of Courage : 1775-1779 -- Romance In Philadelphia : 1760-1788 -- The World Seems Crazy : 1780-1797 -- Last Of The Stratford Lees : 1786-1817 -- From Leesville To ... : 1754-1794 -- ...calamity : 1794-1827 -- Refuge In Alexandria : 1794-1858 -- Farewell To Stratford : 1787-1829 -- Hiding In Paris : 1829-1840 -- Longing For Arlington : 1829-1846 -- My Country : 1846-1851 -- The General : 1861-1865 -- Final Valor : 1865-1870 -- Epilogue : At The Chapel. Paul C. Nagel. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 307-317) And Index. Contents......Page 12 Prologue: At Mrs. Shippen's......Page 18 1 The Founders: 1640–1670......Page 22 2 The Scholar: 1664–1715......Page 36 3 The Partners: 1700–1750......Page 48 4 The Squire and the Widow: 1750–1795......Page 64 5 "Dear Brother . . .": 1750–1774......Page 80 6 Politics in Virginia: 1758–1774......Page 92 7 Ambition in London: 1768–1774......Page 101 8 A Test of Courage: 1775–1779......Page 113 9 Romance in Philadelphia: 1760–1788......Page 128 10 "The World Seems Crazy": 1780–1797......Page 142 11 "Last of the Stratford Lees": 1786–1817......Page 159 12 From Leesylvania to . . . : 1754–1794......Page 173 13 . . . Calamity: 1794–1827......Page 187 14 Refuge in Alexandria: 1794–1858......Page 219 15 Farewell to Stratford: 1787–1829......Page 234 16 Hiding in Paris: 1829–1840......Page 249 17 Longing for Arlington: 1829–1846......Page 262 18 "My Country": 1846–1861......Page 278 19 The General: 1861–1865......Page 296 20 Final Valor: 1865–1870......Page 314 Epilogue: At the Chapel......Page 331 Acknowledgments and Sources......Page 338 B......Page 350 C......Page 351 H......Page 352 L......Page 353 M......Page 359 R......Page 360 S......Page 361 W......Page 362 Y......Page 363 This historical biography traces seven generations of the Lee family in America, from its founder, Richard Lee, in 1640 to the death of its most famous son, Robert E.Lee, in 1870.