Francis Lightfoot Lee and Menokin

Francis Lightfoot Lee, Virginia Signer of the Declaration of Independence. Member of the famous Lee Family of Virginia. His brother Richard Henry Lee would utter the immortal word - "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!" Lee was an active member of the patriotic cause and was equal to his brother Richard though not as eloquent a speaker as he. He would serve in Congress during the war and the Virginia Senate and was an active supporter of the US Constitution. Francis would marry his second cousin Rebecca Tayloe whose father would give them their home Menokin. They would not have any children. They stayed married until the end of their lives in 1797 from pleurisy. Their home is now an historical site - please take the time to visit their website and learn more about this remarkable man and his home. https://www.menokin.org/

Mark Twain said “This man’s life-work was so inconspicuous that his name would be wholly forgotten, but for one thing – he signed the Declaration of Independence. Yet his life was a most useful a

nd worthy one. It was a good and profitable voyage, though it left no phosphorescent splendors in its wake… In short, Francis Lightfoot Lee was a gentleman – a word which meant a great deal in his day, though it means nothing whatever in ours.”