Complicating matters, he had a cousin also known as Squire Richard Lee, who built Blenheim in Maryland.
His eldest brother John Lee (1724-1767) inherited land by the will of his father as well as served as clerk of nearby Essex County.
Beginning in 1758, Westmoreland voters elected this man alongside his cousin Richard Henry Lee until Governor Dunmore dissolved the House of Burgesses in 1775.
Upon creation of the Virginia House of Delegates in 1776, after Virginia signed the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolutionary War began, Richard Lee continued winning re-election and representing Westmoreland County in the legislature until his death, although he had a number of different co-delegates.
[4] Lee also served as Justice of the Peace for Westmoreland County, Virginia and was a Naval Officer for the Port of Potomac.