Lost headstones whisper tales of bygone eras here at The Lee & Fairfax Family Cemetery. It is a serene park-like setting. The cemetery is the final resting place for the Lee and Fairfax families. These families played significant roles in American history.
The Lee and Fairfax Family Cemetery overlooks the Occoquan Bay. Henry Lee II established it. He died on August 15 1787. The Virginia Journal and Alexandria Advertiser noted Lee’s passing. His obituary said he served his country for thirty years.
Lucy Lee was Henry Lee II’s wife. She died shortly after him in 1792. She is the only other Lee family member buried here.
Captain Henry Fairfax bought the plantation from the Lees in 1825. He and his third wife Elizabeth are also buried here. They rest in the enclosed portion of The Lee and Fairfax Family Cemetery. Captain Fairfax died on October 6 1847. Elizabeth died a month later.
The Lee family stones have disappeared. The Society of the Lees replaced them with a bronze plaque. The Fairfax headstones were moved in 1969. They now reside in Union Cemetery in Leesburg. Their son John Walter Fairfax rests there too. However, their remains still rest within The Lee and Fairfax Family Cemetery.
The Lee and Fairfax Family Cemetery is a place of reflection. It offers a unique glimpse into the region’s heritage. Visitors explore the grounds. They pay respects to influential figures from the past. This peaceful setting reminds us of the families. They shaped the history of this land.
The Lee and Fairfax Family Cemetery is part of Leesylvania State Park. Leesylvania State Park is in Woodbridge. Before becoming a park, it was the home of the Lee family. Henry Lee II and Henry Lee III lived here. Henry Lee III was famously known as Light Horse Harry.
Alfred Fairfax purchased the land from the Lee family in 1825. The family lived here through the Civil War. John Walter Fairfax was a Confederate soldier. He served under General James Longstreet. He was the final resident of the house. The home and barn were destroyed shortly after his death. Only the foundation and the chimney remain.
The headstones are gone. But the remains of Henry Lee II, his wife Lucy, Captain Henry Fairfax, and his third wife, Elizabeth, remain. They are in the enclosed area of The Lee and Fairfax Family Cemetery.
The Lee and Fairfax Family Cemetery stands as a testament. It honors the legacy of two families. Their contributions shaped the course of history. Though stones may fade, their stories endure. They invite us to remember. They inspire us to reflect on the past.