Genealogy is at times very fascinating.
Especially when we have been led to a previously unknown possibility. The possibility that someone of historical importance and that we particulary respect is connected to a family line. General Robert E. Lee is one of those men.
The surnames Belcher and Isham are interwoven in the early days of old Virginia. Robert Belcher (1649-?) of Isle of Wright married Phoebe Isham sometime about 1868, Turkey Island, Henrico County, Va. Phoebe's parents are believed to be Henry Isham by a first wife whose name remains a mystery.
Henry Isham married 2nd: Katherine Banks. Henry and Katherine had a son Henry Jr. and two daughters Mary and Anne. Henry Isham, Jr left a will but does not mention Phoebe Isham Belcher in it. This may because she was not a full sister to him. Henry is reputed to have had other Children by his first wife: Several sons and a daughter:
. Mary Isham, daughter of Henry Isham and Katherine Banks, married William Randolph about 1868 of Turkey Island Henrico County Va.
Their Son Isham Randolph married Jane Rogers, Jane and Isham Randolph were the parents of Jane Randolph. Jane married Peter Jefferson. Jane and Peter were the parents of Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States.
Wlliam and Mary's daughter Elizabeth married Richard Bland .
Richard and Elizabeth had a daughter Mary Bland who married Henry Lee II.
Henry Lee II and Mary inturned had a son Henry Lee III. Henry Lee III was a veteran of the Revolutionary War and Better known as "Lighthorse Harry" Lee. This Henry Lee married Ann Hill Carter. (also Ann Carter is an ancestor of President Jimmy Carter)
They had a son Robert Edward Lee, who would later be immortalized as General Robert E. Lee, commander of the Confederate States Army of Northern Virginia.
He was a great general, who was a symbol of the confederacy and a great strategist in his time.
He was also a very devout christian, who cared deeply about his family and his men he had high values and ideas that inspired others
Flashed the sword of Lee!
Far in the front of the deadly fight,
High o'er the brave in the cause of Right,
Its stainless sheen, like a beacon light,
Led us to Victory!
Out of its Scabbard, where, full long,
It slumbered peacefully,
Roused from its rest by the battle's song,
Shielding the feeble, smiting the strong,
Guarding the right, avenging the wrong,
Gleamed the sword of Lee!
Forth from its scabbard, high in air
Beneath Virginia's sky -
And they who saw it gleaming there,
And knew who bore it, knelt to swear
That where the sword led they would dare
To follow - and to die!
Out of it's scabbard! Never hand
Waved sword from stain as free,
Nor purer sword led braver band,
Nor braver bled for a brighter land,
Nor brighter land had a cause so grand,
Nor cause a chief like Lee!
Forth from its scabbard! How we prayed
That sword might victor be;
And when our triumph was delayed,
And many a heart grew sore afraid,
We still hoped on while gleamed the blade
Of noble Robert Lee!
Forth from its scabbard all in vain
Bright flashed the sword of Lee:
'Tis shrouded now in its sheath again,
It sleeps the sleep of our noble slain,
Defeated, yet without a stain,
Proudly and peacefully!