Lewis Littlepage (1762 - 1802)

Born 19 Dec 1762 in New Kent County, Virginia

Ancestors

Died 19 Jul 1802 at age 39 in Fredericksburg, Virginia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Morton Lancaster [send private message]

Biography

"Littlepage was born in Virginia in 1762, and died at Fredericksburg in 1802. At the age of 17 he went to Europe, and in 1779-80 accompanied Mr. Jay, American Envoy to the Court of Spain, to Madrid. Though only a youth, his figure was fine and manly - his dark eyes bright and penetrating and his face peculiar and striking. Among his acquaintances he was regarded as a prodigy of genius and acquirements . Shortly after reaching Madrid, Littlepage separated from Mr. Jay's family, and joined as a volunteer aid to the duke of Cuillon, the army at the siege of Minorca. At the siege of Gibralter he was on a floating battery and blown up, but being uninjured was rescued from the sea and distinguished himself during the further operations against that fortress . On the return of the fleet to Cadiz, he was sent with despatches to Madrid, where the Court received and treated him with much distinction. He then proceeded to Paris, and was on terms of friendship with Dr. Franklin, who was then living at Passy . At Paris and Versailles this adventurous-going Virginian moved in the best society and attracted marked attention from all. After a brief visit to London, he returned to the Continent and made a tour of Europe, establishing himself at Warsaw, where he was so popular that he rose to be in effect , the King's Prime Minister. He resisted and defeated the plans of Zamoyski before the Diet. He afterwards went to St. Petersburg as Ambassador from Poland, and acquitted himself with distinguished ability and became a favorite of the Empress Catharine."^[1]

"General Lewis Littlepage was one of the most colourful figures Hanover county has produced."^[2]

Lewis was buried at the Masonic Cemetery at Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg City, Virginia.^[3]

Sources

1. ↑ Peyton, John L. (1894). Memoir of John Howe Peyton. Staunton, Virginia: A.B. Blackburn & Company, 1894. Pages 35-36. Link
2. ↑ Gwathmey, John H. (1937). Twelve Virginia Counties: Where the Western Migration Began. Richmond, Virgina: Clearfield Company. 1937. Page 113. Link
3. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #5004843

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Littlepage

• [1] Correspondence between Lewis Littlepage and Thomas Jefferson