The Builder and His Family

The Builder and His Family

Thomas Lee, founder of the Ohio Company and member of the Governing council purchased the land to build Stratford in 1717 and from 1730-1738, built the house. Thomas Lee and Hannah, his wife, raised a large family of six sons and two daughters. All six sons played an important part in the drive for American Independence. Their eldest, Philip Ludwell Lee, later inherited the house and was a member of the Council of Virginia. Sons, Richard Henry and Francis Lightfoot Lee, signed the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Ludwell Lee served in the Senate from 1776 to 1778. While in office, he helped create Virginias resolve for independence. William and Arthur Lee were "spies" and, after integrating themselves with the English aristocracy, proceeded to leak valuable information to their allies in America. Hannah was a firm supporter of women's rights and Alice married a doctor.

The House - Architecture

No one knows for sure who the architect was that designed Stratford for Thomas Lee. However, it does seem likely that it was an English architect, because of the house is unusually sophisticated for the time it was built. The Great House (main building) sits on top of bluffs overlooking the Potomac River. The House is H shaped, and has two clusters of four chimneys each, situated on either end of the house. The main floor contains the Great Hall, Parlor, Dining Room and Library, and is where guests would most likely have been entertained. The ground floor contains the less formal spaces, store rooms, wine cellar, and servant's quarters.

Stratford - the plantation

It was not until 1734 that Thomas finally officially named himself as owner of the 1,443 acre site at "Clifts" (site where he purchased the property). Although no records indicate when exactly the house was built, scholars place construction beginning in the late 1730's. Materials for the house could be found in the surrounding countryside; timber from the woods, and clay from the ground, fired onsite. Stratford was a very important 18th century trading center. On the banks of the Potomac, the wharf built at Stratford was key in keeping the lifelines of the plantation alive. Although at first tobacco was the official crop of the plantation, it rapidly