Stratford Celebrates Women's History Month
This is an image of a letter from Richard Henry Lee to his sister Hannah Lee Corbin.
Hannah Lee Corbin's letter to her younger brother Richard Henry Lee did not survive. However, we can conclude from Richard Henry's response that Hannah's major complaint was about not having the right to vote. Hannah had a rebellious and fiery spirit, much like that of her brother who introduced the resolution for independence and became one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence a few years earlier. She has been described as "...an individualist...independent, resolute, unconventional, and courageous." Much of her life remains a mystery.
Hannah Corbin managed Peckatone plantation after the early death of her husband. Gawin Corbin's will stipulated that, if Hannah remarried, her life-estate share would be reduced from being the whole of the estate to a mere one-third. In defiance of her religion and her family's wishes, Hannah Lee commenced a common-law relationship with Dr. Richard Lingan Hall, the physician who had attended her husband during his last illness. After Dr. Hall's death, Hannah again was left with the responsibility of running a plantation. She became involved with the local Baptist congregation in 1778 and bravely hosted Baptist evangelical meetings at her home.
Hannah was concerned about the rights of women in the new nation. Although Richard Henry Lee was sympathetic to Hannah's demands and urged her to participate in the election of the tax commissioners, we do not know whether or not she heeded his advice. It wasn't until 1920 - 142 years later - that women won the right to vote.
