Thomas Jesse Lee | |
|---|---|
| 34th and 38th Sheriff ofPrince William County | |
| In office 1803–1804 | |
| Preceded by | John Linton |
| Succeeded by | William Downman |
| In office 1798–1801 | |
| Preceded by | John Brown |
| Succeeded by | Henry Washington |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1758-10-20)October 20, 1758 |
| Died | September 7, 1805(1805-09-07) (aged 46) Virginia, U.S. |
| Resting place | Park Gate Nokesville, Virginia, U.S. |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Relations | Ludwell Lee (brother) Francis Lightfoot Lee (uncle) Thomas Lee (grandfather) Hannah Harrison Ludwell Lee (grandmother) |
| Children | 1 |
| Parent(s) | Richard Henry Lee Anne Aylett |
| Education | St. Bee's School |
| Occupation | Planter,lawyer, politician |
Thomas Jesse Lee (October 20, 1758 – September 7, 1805) was an American lawyer, planter, and politician. He served as the 34th and 38th Sheriff of Prince William County. He was a descendant of theLee Family of Virginia.
Thomas Jesse Lee was born on October 20, 1758 at his family'sChantilly plantation. He was the first son born to the former Anne Aylett (1738-1768), the first wife of prominent patriot, politician and planterRichard Henry Lee. His Lee ancestors had founded one of theFirst Families of Virginia, as well as speculated in land further up thePotomac River. His grandfatherThomas Lee (1690-1750) had considerable acreage in what became Prince William, Fairfax and Loudoun counties.[1] Lee was the great-grandson of Col.Richard Lee II and a great-great-grandson of Col.Richard Lee I.
Lee received a private education. After his mother's death and father's remarriage, Lee and his brotherLudwell Lee were sent to London, England, where their merchant uncleWilliam Lee lived with his wife and young children. The Lee brothers first studied at St. Bee's School inLancastershire, then Lee studied law and business.[2] Lee left his studies in England early as a result of the rising tensions which led to theAmerican Revolutionary War.[1]
Lee worked as a lawyer in theDumfries, Virginia area inPrince William County,[3][4] and lived on the 7,500 acrePark Gate estate in present-dayNokesville from 1790 until 1805.[5][6]
Lee served as the sheriff of Prince William County for two non-consecutive terms in 1798 and 1803, and also served as special attorney for the Commonwealth of Virginia.[7][8]
In 1783, Lee married Susannah Brent and they had one daughter in 1873. Susannah died in 1785.[9][10] In October 1788,[11] Lee later married Mildred Washington, a daughter ofJohn Augustine Washington and niece ofGeorge Washington.[2][12] President Washington visited Lee and his wife at their Park Gate estate as referenced in his diaries.[13][3]
Lee continued to practice estate law until his death, and was a business partner with his son-in-law Gerard Alexander.[14]
Lee died on September 7, 1805 at the residence of his younger brotherLudwell.[15] He is referenced in the papers of George Washington and the papers ofBushrod Washington, his brother in law.[8]