Laetitia Lee

Laetitia "Lettice" Lee, also known as Lettice Lee Wardrop Thompson Sim, (1731 – April 3, 1776) was an American colonial planter, society hostess, slaveowner, and châtelaine of Darnall's Chance. A member of the prominent Lee family of Virginia and Maryland, she lived a privileged life typical for members of the planter class. Unusual for her time, Lee was married three times; first to James Wardrop, then Adam Thompson, and lastly to Colonel Joseph Sim. She lived at Darnall's Chance for the second half of her life, throughout all three of her marriages.

Biography Lee was born in Prince George's County, Maryland in 1731. She was the daughter of Philip Lee Sr., the progenitor of the Maryland branch of the Lee family, and Elizabeth, widow of Henry Sewell. The plantation included a large brick house, outbuildings, orchards, an ornamental garden, and a farm for livestock.

Following her husband's death in 1760, Lee married a second time to Dr. Adam Thompson, a Scottish physician who created the American Method of smallpox inoculation. After the death of her second husband, she married a third time to Colonel Joseph Sim. Her grave had been discovered on the grounds of the plantation seventeen years prior.