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Elizabeth Steptoe Fendall

Birth
Westmoreland County, Virginia, USA
Death
Jun 1789 (aged 45)
Stratford Hall, Westmoreland County, Virginia, USA
Burial
Burial Details Unknown. Specifically: buried on Fendall Farm on outskirts of Alexandria, Virginia. The burial plot was later lost when the Union Soldiers came through the area or in 1903 when the Potomac Railroad yard was constructed. Add to Map
Memorial ID
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Elizabeth was the daughter of Col. James Steptoe (1709-1757) of "Hominy Hall", and his first wife, Hannah Ashton (1710).

Elizabeth married first, Hon. Philip Ludwell Lee, Sr., Esq. (1727-1775) of "Stratford Hall".

Children of Elizabeth and Philip Lee:

1) Matilda Lee b. 1766 " Stratford", Westmoreland Co., VA. d. 7-28-1790 "Leesylvania", Prince William Co., VA.
m. Gov. Henry Lee III, Maj. Gen. (1756-1818), his first wife.
2) Flora Lee b. 6-1771 " Stratford", Westmoreland Co., VA. d. 1795 "Shuter's Hill", Fairfax Co., VA.
m. Col. Ludwell Lee, Esq. (1760-1836).
3) Philip Ludwell Lee, Jr. b. 2-24-1775 " Stratford", Westmoreland Co., VA. (died 1779).

Elizabeth married second, Philip Richard Fendall I (1734-1805). This was Philip's second of three wives.

(no children from this marriage)

Elizabeth was a favorite of George and Martha Washington. She was a frequent visitor to “Mount Vernon”, and a frequent hostess to the Washington’s at the “Lee-Fendall House”. She died probably from cancer in June of 1789 while on a visit to “Stratford Hall” to visit her daughter.
The following letter was written by Gen. Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee, to James Madison, Jr. (1751-1836), future 4th President: “You have heard of the loss we have met with in the death of Mrs. Fendall - better for her to be sure had this event taken place sooner & altho’ we are convinced of this truth yet our affliction is immoderate. Poor Mrs. (Matilda) Lee is particularly injured by it, as the affliction of mind adds to the infirmity of her body.”
Elizabeth was the daughter of Dr. James Steptoe, Col. (1709-1757) of “ Hominy Hall”, and his first wife, name not known. Speculation is that she was possibly Mary Lee, daughter of Charles Lee (1684-1734) and Mary Spence. This speculation is that “Hominy Hall” seemed to be on what was Spence land. Another possibility is that she was Hannah Ashton (1710). Dr. Steptoe’s second wife was Elizabeth (Eskridge) Aylett (1719), widow of Col. William Aylett of “Fairfield”, and a daughter of Col. George Eskridge and Margaret Bonum, of “ Sandy Point”. James was a staunch supporter of the Established Church, and a Vestryman of Cople Parish. James was a much beloved physician and an influential citizen.
Elizabeth's first husband was Hon. Philip Ludwell Lee, Sr., Esq. (1727-1775) “of Stratford”. Philip was born on February 24, 1727 and was educated at Eton in England. When he returned to Virginia to become a planter he grew unhappy. Apparently he enjoyed the cultural riches of London, and as a result returned for what appeared to be an extended stay. Philip was studying law at the Inner Temple when his father died in 1750. He was summoned back to his father’s estate “Stratford”, in Westmoreland Co., Virginia to assume the roll of executive. As a result of the will, Philip inherited to bulk of his father’s estate, upwards of 12,000 acres, which included the 4,800 at “Stratford”. Besides all the land in Westmoreland County, Phil inherited everything his father owned in Westmoreland County, as well as much of that in Stafford County. He also received acreage on Maryland’s Eastern Shore as well as two islands. In addition, there was a large tract of land along the falls of the Potomac.
Philip was a divided-loyalist who served as a Burgess in 1756. The following year a neighbor and friend, Dr., Col. James Steptoe (1709-1757) died and named Philip his daughters guardian. Her name was Elizabeth, and she had become the heiress of “Hominy Hall”. In 1763, Philip married his ward. The couple were known as genial hosts who delighted in entertaining neighbors and strangers. Philip was especially fond of providing music at his parties.
Lee was a member of the House of Burgesses in 1756, and succeeded his father as member of the King’s Council. He served as the King’s Council Secretary from 1770-1775. Philip’s brothers called him "The Colonel".
Philip and his wife Elizabeth had noticeably improved the “Stratford” estate. Unfortunately he did not fare well with the handling of the family finances. One example of this mishandling was when he tried to build a town named "Phillee" near Pimmit Run. It never blossomed, and today you can still see some remnants of the old foundations. Philip was overcome from a “nervous pleurisy” soon after New Year’s Day 1775, and died on February 21st.
Philip Ludwell Lee, Sr., was the son of Col. Thomas Lee, Hon. (1690-1750) and Hannah Harrison Ludwell (1701-1749).
Elizabeth was the daughter of Col. James Steptoe (1709-1757) of "Hominy Hall", and his first wife, Hannah Ashton (1710).

Elizabeth married first, Hon. Philip Ludwell Lee, Sr., Esq. (1727-1775) of "Stratford Hall".

Children of Elizabeth and Philip Lee:

1) Matilda Lee b. 1766 " Stratford", Westmoreland Co., VA. d. 7-28-1790 "Leesylvania", Prince William Co., VA.
m. Gov. Henry Lee III, Maj. Gen. (1756-1818), his first wife.
2) Flora Lee b. 6-1771 " Stratford", Westmoreland Co., VA. d. 1795 "Shuter's Hill", Fairfax Co., VA.
m. Col. Ludwell Lee, Esq. (1760-1836).
3) Philip Ludwell Lee, Jr. b. 2-24-1775 " Stratford", Westmoreland Co., VA. (died 1779).

Elizabeth married second, Philip Richard Fendall I (1734-1805). This was Philip's second of three wives.

(no children from this marriage)

Elizabeth was a favorite of George and Martha Washington. She was a frequent visitor to “Mount Vernon”, and a frequent hostess to the Washington’s at the “Lee-Fendall House”. She died probably from cancer in June of 1789 while on a visit to “Stratford Hall” to visit her daughter.
The following letter was written by Gen. Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee, to James Madison, Jr. (1751-1836), future 4th President: “You have heard of the loss we have met with in the death of Mrs. Fendall - better for her to be sure had this event taken place sooner & altho’ we are convinced of this truth yet our affliction is immoderate. Poor Mrs. (Matilda) Lee is particularly injured by it, as the affliction of mind adds to the infirmity of her body.”
Elizabeth was the daughter of Dr. James Steptoe, Col. (1709-1757) of “ Hominy Hall”, and his first wife, name not known. Speculation is that she was possibly Mary Lee, daughter of Charles Lee (1684-1734) and Mary Spence. This speculation is that “Hominy Hall” seemed to be on what was Spence land. Another possibility is that she was Hannah Ashton (1710). Dr. Steptoe’s second wife was Elizabeth (Eskridge) Aylett (1719), widow of Col. William Aylett of “Fairfield”, and a daughter of Col. George Eskridge and Margaret Bonum, of “ Sandy Point”. James was a staunch supporter of the Established Church, and a Vestryman of Cople Parish. James was a much beloved physician and an influential citizen.
Elizabeth's first husband was Hon. Philip Ludwell Lee, Sr., Esq. (1727-1775) “of Stratford”. Philip was born on February 24, 1727 and was educated at Eton in England. When he returned to Virginia to become a planter he grew unhappy. Apparently he enjoyed the cultural riches of London, and as a result returned for what appeared to be an extended stay. Philip was studying law at the Inner Temple when his father died in 1750. He was summoned back to his father’s estate “Stratford”, in Westmoreland Co., Virginia to assume the roll of executive. As a result of the will, Philip inherited to bulk of his father’s estate, upwards of 12,000 acres, which included the 4,800 at “Stratford”. Besides all the land in Westmoreland County, Phil inherited everything his father owned in Westmoreland County, as well as much of that in Stafford County. He also received acreage on Maryland’s Eastern Shore as well as two islands. In addition, there was a large tract of land along the falls of the Potomac.
Philip was a divided-loyalist who served as a Burgess in 1756. The following year a neighbor and friend, Dr., Col. James Steptoe (1709-1757) died and named Philip his daughters guardian. Her name was Elizabeth, and she had become the heiress of “Hominy Hall”. In 1763, Philip married his ward. The couple were known as genial hosts who delighted in entertaining neighbors and strangers. Philip was especially fond of providing music at his parties.
Lee was a member of the House of Burgesses in 1756, and succeeded his father as member of the King’s Council. He served as the King’s Council Secretary from 1770-1775. Philip’s brothers called him "The Colonel".
Philip and his wife Elizabeth had noticeably improved the “Stratford” estate. Unfortunately he did not fare well with the handling of the family finances. One example of this mishandling was when he tried to build a town named "Phillee" near Pimmit Run. It never blossomed, and today you can still see some remnants of the old foundations. Philip was overcome from a “nervous pleurisy” soon after New Year’s Day 1775, and died on February 21st.
Philip Ludwell Lee, Sr., was the son of Col. Thomas Lee, Hon. (1690-1750) and Hannah Harrison Ludwell (1701-1749).


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