Urbanna in Middlesex County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Landsdowne

Photographed By J. J. Prats, January 16, 2010

1. Landsdowne Marker

Inscription. In 1763 Ralph Wormeley III of Rosegill sold this house to James Mills, a Scottish merchant. In 1791 Arthur Lee bought it and 1,000 adjacent acres to be his home in retirement. Lee named this estate Landsdowne in honor of his friend, William Fitzmaurice, Earl of Shelburne and Marquess of Landsdowne, a British statesman who supported the American cause before and during the Revolution. Fitzmaurice became Prime Minister in 1782 and negotiated the Treaty of Peace recognizing the independence of the United States.

Erected 1982 by The Society of the Lees of Virginia.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1763.

Location. 37° 38.178′ N, 76° 34.602′ W. Marker is in Urbanna, Virginia, in Middlesex County. Marker is on Old Virginia Street (County Route 602) west of Upton Lane, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 271 Virginia Street, Urbanna VA 23175, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Coca-Cola Bottling Plant (within shouting distance of this marker); Prince George Street and Old Tavern (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Virginia Street (about 400 feet away); Wormeley-Lee-Montague House and Marble House

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(about 400 feet away); Old Middlesex County Courthouse (about 400 feet away); Arthur Lee (about 500 feet away); Urbanna, Virginia (about 500 feet away); Colonial Courthouse (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Urbanna.

Also see . . . National Register of Historic Places 1974 Nomination Form. “Lansdowne was the home from 1791 until his death in 1792 of Arthur Lee, a major diplomatic figure from the Southern Colonies during the War for Indpendence. In 1770, through the influence of Samuel Adams, he was chosen as agent of Massachusetts in London in case of the absence or death of the regular agent, Dr. Benjamin Franklin. In the period 1770-1775, Arthur Lee and his mercantile brother, William, were engaged in British politics, and for a while Arthur hoped that he might become a member of Parliament. In October 1776 he was appointed along with Benjamin Franklin and Silas Deane of Connecticut as commissioners to negotiate a treaty with France and solicit aid. He joined his colleagues in Paris at the end of December only to find that he was not needed there. He then went to Spain in February 1777 and did succeed in obtaining some aid from the Spanish Government. He next journeyed to Berlin where he failed in obtaining

Landsdowne and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, January 16, 2010

2. Landsdowne and Marker

aid, Lee returned to Paris and on October 17, 1777, treaties of alliance and of amity and commerce wer; negotiated with France and signed by the three commissioners on February 6, 1778

“In September 1780 Lee returned turned to America, and in 1761 he was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates. He waq also elected to the Continental Congress in 1782, serving until 1785. He was one of the commissioners who negotiated the Indian treaties of Fort Stanwix and Fort McIntosh, and in July 1785 he was appointed by the Congress to the treasury board. He held that office unti1 November 1789. He opposed the adoption of the Constitution. Lee moved to the village of Urbanna in 1791.

“The house Lee chose to make his home was erected circa 1740-1750, with the large rear wing added a few years after the completion of the front section. It survives as a major example of Virginia’s Georgian architecture, exhibiting all the best features of the style. The brickwork is notable and the interior paneling is a remarkable achievement of colonial craftsmanship and design. The several later alterations and additions have not detracted significantly from the house’s original character.

“The house was originally owned by Ralph Wormeley IV (1715-1790) of nearby Rosegill, who used it as a secondary residence. Workeley sold it in 1763 to James Mills, a Scottish

Photographed By J. J. Prats, January 16, 2010

3. Landsdowne

merchant settled in Urbanna. Mills’ wife was Elizabeth Beverley, daughter of William Beverley of Blandfield, Essex County. Mills died in 1782, leaving the house to his brother-in-law Robert Beverley, who in 1791 sold Lansdowne to Arthur Lee. Born at the Lee family plantation, Stratford Hall in Westmoreland County, Lee was the younger brother of Richard Henry Lee. Lee acquired Lansdowne upon his retirement from public life, hoping to establish himself as a planter there. He added nearly 1000 acres to the property and named it Lansdowne-on-the-Rappahannock in honor of his friend , William Fitzmaurice. Marquess of Lansdowne, a supporter of the American cause. Lee died before he had a chance to develop his property, leaving it to his brother, Richard Henry Lee, who at his death in 1794 left Lansdowne to his son, Francis Lightfoot Lee. Francis Lightfoot Lee retained ownership of Lansdowne until 1803 when it was sold to Dr. Robert Beverley Spratt.” (Submitted on January 31, 2010.)

National Register of Historic Places plaque for the home image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 25, 2021

4. National Register of Historic Places plaque for the home

Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 30, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,209 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 30, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4. submitted on November 25, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.