Understanding the motivations of Francis Lightfoot Lee
The News & Messenger is joining with the Smyth VA250 Committee to celebrate this country’s 250th anniversary by sharing the winning essays for this year’s Royal Oak Daughters of the American Revolution American history essay competition. Entrants were asked to write about having “Lunch with a Signer” of the Declaration of Independence. We’ll share an essay each week leading up to the Fourth of July.
Hello. It is currently July 4, 1776, and I came from 2025 to have a picnic with Francis Lightfoot Lee. He is a founding father and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. We are at his mansion, the “Menokin” in his garden near Warsaw, Virginia.
Interviewer: “Francis when were you born?”
Francis Lightfoot Lee: “I was born on October 14, 1734, in Stratford, Virginia.”
Interviewer: “What was your life like growing up as a kid?”
Francis Lightfoot Lee: “I grew up in Stratford Hall, a very big plantation in Stratford, Virginia. My dad is Thomas Lee, a wealthy planter and politician. I had 5 brothers and 2 sisters and I was the 4th of 6 surviving sons. My formal education was cut short when my parents died when I was 16 so I got tutored at home and that was when I realized I really liked science and politics.”
Interviewer: “Francis, how did your political career begin?”
Francis Lightfoot Lee: “My political career began in the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1758. There I became an opponent of British policies. I organized protests and I signed the Westmoreland Association against the Stamp Act in 1766. I am serving in the Continental Congress as a Virginia delegate since 1775 with my brother, Richard Henry Lee. I am a key member of the committee that’s drafting the Articles of Confederation, the first governing document of the U.S.
Interviewer: “What motivated you the most to fight for Independence?”
Francis Lightfoot Lee: “I was really motivated by my older brother, Richard Henry Lee. He was a noted patriot and his arguments really influenced me.”
Interviewer: “I know it was risky to sign, so what risks did you take?”
Francis Lightfoot Lee: “For everyone that signed, it was considered treason and act of rebellion by the British Crown, which could have resulted in being arrested, confiscation of property, or even death if we failed, but we all wanted freedom so we decided to risk our lives so America could be free!”
Interviewer: “What all have you been a member of before signing the Declaration of Independence?”
Francis Lightfoot Lee: I have been a member of the House of Burgesses from 1758 to 1774, and I am currently in the Continental Congress and I have been in it since last year.”
Interviewer: “What all brought us closer to independence before the Declaration of Independence?”
Francis Lightfoot Lee: I served in the House of Burgesses where I was involved in protest against Britain, I signed the Westmoreland Resolution where I challenged the King’s authorities and we condemned the Stamp Act. I attended the Virginia Conventions in 1774. I am currently a delegate to the first Continental Congress and I helped draft Virginia’s first state constitution.
Interviewer: “Wow, you really supported independence. Why did you decide to sign the Declaration of Independence?”
Francis Lightfoot Lee: “I decided to sign because America is way more important to me than Britain, and I think breaking away from Britain is necessary. Lord Dunmore also influenced me when he placed Virginia under martial law. My brother Richard Henry Lee really influenced me when he first introduced the resolution for independence while we were in Congress. How long has America been free?”
Interviewer: “America has been free for 249 years and we celebrate every year on July 4th! Some people celebrate our independence by having family gatherings, cookouts, and some people even set off fireworks at night! We would like to thank you and all the other signers for risking their lives so that America can be free!”
Francis Lightfoot Lee: “Wow, thank you!”
Blakely Burns wrote this as a seventh grader at Chilhowie Middle School.
