-- [ From: Helen Nichols Battleson * EMC.Ver #2.5.3 ] -- [021] Message was not delivered due to missing routing file. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Historic Bldgs. in Middlesex Co., VA 1650-1875, p. 51-53; Architecturally and historically, LANSDOWNE, in the center of the town, is one of Urbanna's, indeed of the area's, most interesting houses. In 1763 Ralph Wormeley III, owner of "Rosegill", sold "Lansdowne" to James Mills, a Scottish merchant in Urbanna. At Mill's death the estate passed to Robert beverley, Arthur LEE, its most illustrious inhabitant, purchased the property in 1791 from him, adding additional acreage later .. It was LEE, who named the plantation, "Lansdowne-on-the-Rappahannock" in honor of his friend, the Marquis of Shelbourne and Earl of Lansdowne, a proponent of the colonies cause. LEE served the Colonies Joint Commission to the Court of France and represented America's interests in Berlin as Commissioner to the Court of Prussia. After the Revolution, he represented the Commonwealth of Virginia in the Continental Congress from 1782 to 1785, was a member of the Commission to treat with the Indians, and was one of the three members of the Board of Treasury charged with implementation of the Ordinance of 1784. During this latter period he also served as a member of the Commission charged with revision of the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Arthur LEE is buried in a family cemetery on original "Lansdowne" property. Upon his untimely death in 1792, the estate passed to his brother, Richard Henry LEE, and next to his nephew, Francis Lightfoot LEE. Although today "Lansdowne" property is reduced from the original acreage to a spacious yard, it stands serenely, a charming reminder of Virginia's gracious past and a welcome refuge from the past. ==== LEE Mailing List ==== 1 Subject line format: SURNAME always first (or variant spelling): LEE/LEA, firstname & key YEAR & LOCATION/country < fill in actual data mailto:LEE-L@rootsweb.com ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ spell address exactly this way!!! ------- FORWARD, End of original message ------- -- Hewick@prodigy.com or Hewick@oasisonline.com - Helen Nichols Battleson, Hewick Plantation, POB 82, Urbanna, VA 23175 in Middlesex Co.,the 1678 home of Christopher Robinson, Esq. catering to genealogists & travelers to the Tidewater area, convenient to Gloucester, Matthews, Lancaster, Essex, K&Q, King Wm. Cos. (804-758-4214). Publisher of the "Robinson Family Journal" since 1991, (25,249+ names in database). Host of the ROBINSON(519 members)& HIGGINBOTHAM (111 members)Family Discussion Lists on the Internet.Publisher of the ROBINSON Family Journal since 1991. Visit us at: http://www.inngetaways.com/va/hewick.html