William P. Lee (abt. 1834 - abt. 1905)

Born about Mar 1834 in Miller County, Missouri

Ancestors

Died about 1905 at about age 70 in Missouri

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Biography

Birth

William P. Lee was born in Miller County Missouri in March of 1834.<

Parents

William's father was James Henry Lee who was born in England in 1806. James emigrated to America c.1819.^[1]

William's mother was Betsy Benson Lee who was born in Fabius, Onondaga, New York. She was raised as a Mormon.^[2] Her father Benjamin Benson was a close friend of Joseph Smith.

Siblings

• Enoch 'Eric' B. born 1834
• Charles Henry born 1837

Marriage

Adams County

William married Mary S. Thomas on April 24, 1856 in Adams County, Illinois. This record can be found at the County Court Records, Film #1845384-5^[3]

Children

In 1860, William and Mary were living next to William's parents along with his brother's, Enoch, family working on their father's farm in Keen, Adams County, Illinois. William and Mary have a 3 year old named Mary. Either Mary is the 'Samantha' listed in the 1880 census or Mary is one of the eight children who died young.^[4]

By the time the 1880 Census rolled around, William and Mary had 5 children. Their names were:

• Samantha age 22
• James B. age 19
• John E. age 10
• Oliver M. age 7
• Sylvester L. age 4

In the 1900 Federal Census, William's wife, Mary J. is listed as having 11 children, with only 3 living. John E. and Oliver M. had died.^[5]

Residence

In the 1880 Federal Census, William was living in the Liberty Township of Pulaski County in Missouri. He was working his farm with his wife, Mary J., and his five children. The oldest child was Samantha, 22 years old, suffering from "Dyspepsia".^[6]

By the year 1900, William is 66 years old and living with Mary, his wife, and three of their children who are all adults and not married. The names and ages of their children are:

• Sylvester L. age 24
• Samantha E. age 42
• James B. age 39

(Samantha cannot read or write; James can read but can't write).^[7]

Military

William Lee's Draft Registration

William registered for the Civil War Draft on July 1, 1863, in Keene, Adams County, Illinois. He was 29 years old.^[8]

Death

William died between the 1900 and 1910 Federal Censuses. His last place of residence was in the Liberty Township of Pulaski County in the state of Missouri.^[9]

In 1910 we find William's wife, Mary, widowed and living in Goldsberry, Howell County, Missouri supporting her three adult children, doing laundry to pay the bills. The age of the adult children are:

• Samantha age 52
• James R. age 49
• Sylvester age 34

James is doing 'odd jobs', and the other two are not doing anything. They still cannot read or write; except for James who can read.^[10]

Manager Notes

In the year 1900 the most common childhood diseases that caused death were pneumonia, influenza, tuberculosis and enteritis with diarrhea.[1]

Sources

1. ↑ 1900 U.S. Federal Census; Liberty, Pulaski, Missouri
2. ↑ Membership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-1848
3. ↑ Illinois Marriages, 1851-1900
4. ↑ 1860 U.S. Federal Census; Keene, Adams County, Illinois
5. ↑ 1900 U.S. Federal Census; Liberty, Pulaski County, Missouri
6. ↑ 1880 U.S.Federal Census, Liberty, Pulaski, Missouri
7. ↑ 1900 U.S. Federal Census; Liberty Township, Pulaski County, Missouri
8. ↑ U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863, 1865
9. ↑ 1900 U. S. Federal Census; Liberty Township, Pulaski County, Missouri.
10. ↑ 1910 U. S. Federal Census; Goldsberry, Howell County, Missouri

Research Notes

• LEE, William Recruit Liberty Dec 31, 1863 Trans to Co E, as consol.[2]
• LEE, William Private --- --- Mustered out Nov 22, 1865[3]