Jesse Lee (March 12, 1758 – September 12, 1816) was an American Methodist Episcopal clergyman and pioneer, born in Prince George's County, Virginia.

[4] He lacked only one vote of being elected Bishop by the General Conference of 1800, but was appointed to be a presiding elder of the south district of Virginia in 1801.

On May 22, 1809, Lee was appointed Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives[5] He was reappointed on November 2, 1812, and served for two sessions.

[5] Upon leaving the chaplaincy of the House he was appointed Chaplain of the United States Senate on September 27, 1814, where he served until December 1815.

Finally, Lee assembled his audience under an apple tree by the roadside and preached his sermon from the text "Ye must be born again."