NORTH SHORE BREEZE 7 
[xx ee] 
HISTORIC LEE MANSION 
Presidents Washington, Jackson and Munroe and 
Other Distinguished People Entertained There 
ail 
[Sea Seis s 
By MARY TAYLOR FALT 
mer capitol and the home of the chief executive 
of the nation revives the traditions of other presi- 
dential visitors in her early history. ‘The most generous 
share belongs to Marblehead and the Lee Mansion teems 
with traditions of the distinguished personages entertained 
there. 
Col. Jeremiah Lee, one of the sixty merchants en- 
gaged in foreign trade, built in 1768, this palatial resi- 
dence so considered at that time. It is said to have cost 
over ten thousand pounds. His wealth too, was signifi- 
cant from the slaves he owned, which was a large number 
employed in loading and unloading his ships. 
The mansion as preserved today is the best evidence 
of the prosperous times of the Revolutionary period. It 
had the reputation of being one of the most elegant and 
expensively finished houses in the British colonies as its 
magnificent proportions testify. Its fine hall, stairways 
and old colonial wall papers made in England excited the 
admiration of all who visited the old house. 
It was there that Washington was entertained, La- 
fayette on two occasions, President Monroe received 
the hospitality of the citizens and Andrew Jackson 
received the welcome of the towns people there who 
almost worshipped the old hero and were so loyal to 
him through life. 
The bravery of Marblehead’s soldiers in the battles 
of Trenton, Princeton and Valley Forge was responsible 
for the visit of President Washington to Marblehead, 
October 29, 1789. He promptly accepted the invitation 
of the selectmen to visit the town. 
"Tis pleasant to imagine the scene of anticipation, 
the escort of selectmen, clergymen and citizens of those 
times awaiting his arrival at the entrance of the town, 
the banquet at the Lee Mansion, his address to the select- 
ren, his visits to the fish yards and places of interest. 
From Portsmouth, N. H., Washington sent a letter 
af thanks to the people of Marblehead couched in his 
usual fine language expressing “‘solicitude for your wel- 
fare and earnest entreaty to the Author of Good for 
ycur felicity.” As for Washington’s visit it inspired the 
Marblehead settlers and the honor filled them with un- 
bounded joy. 
On Tuesday, November 2, 1784, the Marquis de 
I,afayette visited Marblehead accompanied by the Chev- 
alier Grand Champs, the Chevalier Carman and Samuel 
Breck, esq., of Boston. The distinguished foreigners were 
met on the Salem road by a large concourse of people. 
Amid the ringing of church bells, the procession proceeded 
to Marblehead. 
The Lee Mansion had the honor to entertain this 
distinguished visitor. Dinner, speeches and toasts were 
on the program. Lafayette’s toast was “The town of 
Marblehead and unbounded success to her fisheries.” 
Lafayette departed mid booming of cannon, ringing 
of bells and the joyous acclamation of the people. 
A grand ball in the evening was planned in honor of 
the distinguished Frenchmen but the brilliancy of the 
Occasion was marred by the inability of the gentlemen 
0 HE North Shore as the chosen locality for the sum- 
to remain over night. 
A second visit from Lafayette, then a venerable old 
gentleman, took place in 1824, and was an auspicious 
occasion. 
The Lee Mansion again opened its hospitable doors 
fer his reception and a grand dinner. All the “well to do” 
families contributed their silver ware to adorn the feasting 
table. No pains or expense were spared to do honor to 
Gen. Lafayette. 
The occasion marked the first appearance of Marble- 
head’s “Lafayette Guards,” a military company, which 
recalls the traditionary ludicrous scenes of Marblehead’s 
muster day. Everything in shape of a weapon was 
carried. There were no uniforms, the only gold lace and 
brass buttons being worn by the officers. A short fisher- 
tian in monkey jacket and ‘“‘sou wester” would be beside 
a very tall farmer in home spun frock and broad brimmed 
hat. The rolling gait of the fisherman and the gigantic 
strides of the farmer made anything but regular steps 
and misunderstandings on this account were frequent. 
James Munroe, of Virginia, President of the United 
States, while on his tour of the Eastern states on March 
4, 1817, honored Marblehead with a visit. In this in- 
stance the Lee Mansion entertained the Presidential guest 
and the large body of prominent citizens assembled to pay 
their respects. Fort Sewall and other points of interest 
were visited by President Monroe. 
June 28, 1833, President Andrew Jackson, then fill- 
irig his second term of office, visited Marblehead while 
making a tour of the Middle and New England states. 
His escort into town consisted of military companies, 
a cavalcade of 50 horsemen, the fire department, public 
school children and a large concourse of citizens. Over 
the now famous streets of Marblehead were triumphal 
flcral arches with mottoes. Private residences were elab- 
orately decorated. The address of welcome was delivered 
at the Lee Mansion. Salem was also visited by President 
Jackson at, this time. 
Col. Jeremiah Lee and Mrs. Martha Lee, his wife, 
were painted by Copley, the famous Revolutionary 
painter. In 1879, the portraits were owned by Robert I. 
Eee} , 
Col. Lee was an eminent patriot who held various 
positions of trust and honor besides his enterprise and 
success as a merchant—“An ardent, active and able ad- 
vocate for the Liberties and Independence of his Country.” 
He was urbane of manner and beloved for his benevo- 
lence and generous disposition. 
During the Revolution, while serving on the Province 
Committee of Safety and Supplies, he contracted a cold 
while at Black Horse Tavern on the road between Cam- 
bridge and Lexington, where the committee were sur- 
prised by the British. They hid in a cornfield. The night 
being very cold, the exposure brought on a severe fever 
which was fatal. 
His death occurred in Newburyport on May 10, 1775. 
The body was interred in Marblehead. It is certainly 
tc: Marblehead’s great credit to have preserved the Lee 
Mansion, a noteworthy monument of her famous history. 
