THE HI S TORY OF The Lee-Fendall House Story by Alexandria Lindstrom | Photography Submitted by Lee-Fendall House
s vast history, nohistory, wonderit’s onenoencounters theencounters vestiges ofthe thatvestiges past inof that past in With itsit’s vast wonder one mes thatthe still standthat proudly throughout Alexandria. such home, thesuch home, the homes still stand proudly throughoutOne Alexandria. One ndall House, is the perfect example as it has been home to many notable Lee-Fendall House, is the perfect example as it has been home to many notable s and individuals andindividuals seen manyand historic occurrences its nearly families and seen many historicthrough occurrences through its nearly rs that 250 boreyears greatthat impact howimpact our nation hasour been shaped. boreon great on how nation has been shaped.
1786
Revolutionary War cavalry hero Light-Horse Harry Lee purchases a three-acre parcel of land and sells the half-acre plot at the corner of Washington and Oronoco Streets to his cousin, Philip Fendall.
IIn November, construction is complete and George Washington notes in his diary on November 10th that he dined with the Fendalls in their new house .
A map of the Lee-Fendall property from an insurance declaration
Phillip Fendall marries his third and last wife, the sister of Light-Horse Larry Lee, Mary Lee.
In December, Phillip Fendall Jr. is born.
Philip Jr. will go on to be District Attorney for DC, and be a leader among DC abolitionists. His great-granddaughter Anne Catherine Tredick Wendell (below) would go on to marry the 6th Earl of Carnarvon (whose family seat is Highclere Castle of Downton Abbey fame).
Mary Lee-Fendall dies and the house is purchased by her cousin, Edmund Jennings Lee.
Former President John Quincy Adams stays the night at the house as a guest of Edmund Jennings Lee.
1784 1785 1791 1794 1827 1841
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