University of Virginia Library

THE VAULT OF THE LEES AT STRATFORD, IN WESTMORELAND.

In the preceding sketch of the Lees, by Mr. William Lee, of
London, there is mention made of a loss by fire sustained by his
father, Thomas Lee, of Stratford, and of a present to him by Queen
Caroline. This establishes the source from whence came the means
of building the present most durable building at that place, which
for the thickness of the walls and the excellency of its architecture
is not surpassed, if equalled, by any in Virginia.[23] It has sometimes
been called the Governor's House, probably because its
owner and builder, Thomas Lee, was commissioned as Governor,
though he did not live to act in that capacity. The cemetery
was not built by him, as he was buried at Pope's Creek Church.
I have been assured by Mrs. Eliza Turner, who was there at
the time, that it was built by General Harry Lee. The cemetery
is much larger than any other in the Northern Neck, consisting
of several apartments or alcoves for different branches of the
family. Instead of an arch over them there is a brick house, perhaps
twenty feet square, covered in. A floor covers the cemetery.
In the centre is a large trapdoor, through which you descend by a
ladder to the apartments below. I went down into it some years
since, when nothing was to be seen but the bones of the deceased,
which were scattered over the dirt floor. I was informed that it
had sometimes been filled with water, and that then the bones and
skulls of the deceased might be seen floating upon the surface,—at
any rate, if stirred up with a pole, as was sometimes done. The
entrance to this house has of late years been almost prevented by
a thick growth of young aspens and briers. I am happy to state
that it is the purpose of the present proprietor to fill up the vault,
take down the brick walls and convert them into a mound over the
place, and on the top of the mound to have the tombstone of old
Thomas Lee fixed in some immovable way.

Some mournful thoughts will force themselves upon us when
considering the ruins of churches, of mansions, and of cemeteries,
in Westmoreland. By reason of the worth, talents, and patriotism
which once adorned it, it was called the Athens of Virginia. But
how few of the descendants of those who once were its ornaments

STRATFORD HOUSE, WESTMORELAND

are now to be found in it! Chantilly, Mount Pleasant, Wakefield,
are now no more. Stratford alone remains. Where now are the
venerable churches? Pope's Creek, Round Hill, Nomini, Leeds,
where are they? Yeocomico only survives the general wreck. Of
the old men, mansions, churches, &c. we are tempted to say,
"Fuit Illium, et ingens gloria Dardanidum;" and yet we rejoice
to think that new ones have taken their places, in some respects
better suited to present times and circumstances. Those who, in
the general defection, have remained to the Church, are exerting
themselves to repair the waste places; and we trust there awaits for
Westmoreland a greater glory than the former.