The Lee and Fairfax Cemetery in Leesylvania State Park

View of Potomac

Photo: Ileana Johnson 2019

After a long downhill and uphill trek, across thick carpets of dead leaves covering tree roots snaking treacherously out of the ground, I reach the Lee and Fairfax Family Cemetery on the ridge top overlooking Occoquan Bay.

The remains of Elizabeth Fairfax and Henry Fairfax Sr. are interred here. Elizabeth Fairfax died November 6, 1847 at the age of 54 and Henry Fairfax Sr. died October 6, 1847 at the age of 74. Captain Henry Fairfax and his wife Elizabeth are buried in the enclosed portion of the cemetery. Captain Fairfax had purchased the Leesylvania Plantation from the Lees in 1825.

Leesylvania (meaning Lee’s Woods) Plantation became part of the Lee family legacy through the marriage of Laetitia Corbin to Richard Lee II in 1675.

Henry Lee II and his wife Lucy Grymes named the Plantation Leesylvania (Lee’s Woods). The home they built high on the ridge overlooking the Potomac River burned long ago but it was thought to resemble the Rippon Lodge, a neighboring home that was built around the same time. The Leesylvania Plantation home burned in 1790, shortly after Henry Lee II’s death in 1787.

George Washington, residing 14 miles up the river in Mt. Vernon, was a frequent visitor at the Leesylvania Plantation. His diary records dinner visits at the Lees on his way to Williamsburg and Fredericksburg on October 19, 1768, on October 30, 1769 (with his wife Martha and daughter Patsy) and on November 27, 1772.

Lee and Fairfax Cemetery today without headstones

Photo: Ileana Johnson December 2019

The cemetery was established by the Lee family when Henry Lee II died on August 15, 1787. His wife Lucy Lee (Grymes), died in 1792 and is the only other Lee family member buried here. A few of Lucy’s flowers, daffodils and daylilies still bloom around the woods. Henry Lee’s death was noted in the Virginia Journal and Alexandria Advertiser. He was a Senator for the District of Fairfax and Prince William. He was 58 years old and had dedicated thirty years of his life to the service of his country.

Lee and Fairfax Cemetery with bronze plaque

Photo: Ileana Johnson December 2019

Lucy Grymes and Henry Lee were married in 1753 and their home stood on this ridge to the east. There is a deep hole now where the foundation stood. There is no visible evidence of stones left.

Henry Lee was Prince William County Lieutenant and Presiding Justice for many years. He represented Prince William County in the House of Burgesses, the Revolutionary Conventions, and the State Senate from 1758-1788.

Lucy and Henry Lee had eight children born in Leesylvania House. “Light Horse Harry” was a Revolutionary War hero, Governor of Virginia, and father of Gen. Robert E. Lee. The Lee children served Virginia and Country in various capacities. Charles Lee was Attorney General of the United States. Richard Bland Lee was the first Congressman for Northern Virginia.  Edmund Jennings Lee was the Mayor of Alexandria.

An obelisk-shaped monument is dedicated to “Light Horse Harry” at the foot of the hilly and heavily wooded peninsula, in a circular driveway close to the Potomac River.

Lee and Fairfax cemetery with headstones in place

Photo: Archives

The Lee family headstones have disappeared long ago. There are park signs urging visitors not to take stones or bricks as souvenirs from the foundation of what remains of the plantation buildings, chimney, well, and barn. The missing Lee family headstones were replaced with a bronze plaque encased in brick by the Virginia Society of the Lees.

The Fairfax headstones were relocated in the Union Cemetery in Leesburg, near the tomb of their son, John Walter Fairfax, but the remains were not disturbed, they still rest in the enclosed cemetery. 

Fairfax home ruins (1825)

Photo: Ileana Johnson December 2019