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John Lee Esq (abt. 1690 - abt. 1767)

John Lee Esq
Born about in Colony of Virginiamap [uncertain]
Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown]
Husband of — married 1724 in Colony of Virginiamap
Descendants descendants
Father of , , , , , , , and
Died about at about age 77 in Mill Creek, Johnston County, Province of North Carolinamap
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Profile last modified | Created 3 May 2011
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US Southern Colonies.
John Lee Esq resided in the Southern Colonies in North America before 1776.
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Discuss: southern_colonies

Contents

Biography

No primary sources have been identified for John’s date of birth, but most accounts give 11 Mar 1690 [1] in Nansemond County, Virginia and he is thought to have been among the Roanoke River Settlers in 1720. Lee researchers have noted that Nansemond, Virginia, and Johnston County, North Carolina, are the same territory. The origin of Esquire (Esq) and his use of it, is unknown and does not seem to be related to his occupation or any historical record.
There were many territorial changes, divisions and renaming of counties during this time period. The source records The History of Nansemond County written by Dunn provide evidence that John Lee, Esq. did not move but that the location names changed as new counties were created from old.[2] [3] [4] [5] This includes Surry County, Richmond, and Roanoke Valley areas. JF/LC
Although researchers have proposed Nansemond County, Virginia as the birthplace of John Lee, Esq., there is no hard evidence that supports this as his birth location. In fact, there is no primary evidence that reveals to us the exact date and place of birth for John Lee, Esq.. Due to a lack of records the exact date and place of John Lee, Esq. may never be known with certainty. There are many theories about who the parents are for John Lee, Esq.. Most lean to Richard Henry Lee and Mary Young.
John Lee, Esq.'s wife was Mary (____), who may have been the daughter of William Bryan and Alice MacLand Bryan, daughter of John MacLand. John Lee, Esq. and Mary started their family on lands between the Roanoke and Tar rivers along Coneto and Conoho Creeks. Today, these lands would be along the borders of the North Carolina counties of Halifax, Martin, Edgecombe, and Pit. Several or all of John and Mary's children were born in the Roanoke region and records through 1744 most frequently list John Lee, Esq. as being of Edgecombe County, North Carolina. By the 1740s, settlers were moving into lands in Johnston County, then known as Craven County. These immigrants included John Lee, Esq. who on 26 July 1743 received grants for 400 and 100 acres of land along the south bank of the Neuse River. Many of John Lee, Esq. Conoho Creek neighbors such as Needham, John, and William Bryan also moved south to Johnston County prior to 1750. Court records detail John Lee, Esq.'s various land holdings (over 1700 acres) in Johnston County and refer to his serving on juries, laying off roads, etc. John and Mary lived the remainder of their lives in Johnston County and raised at least nine children. John died between December 4, 1766 when his will was written in Johnston County, North Carolina, and February of 1768 when his Will was probated. He was buried in The Old Graveyard Field probably marked by a field stone that has long since been plowed under. John's Will names wife Mary, sons Robert, Edward, John, Thomas, Frederick; daughters Mary Ballenger and Sabray Green, grandson Shadrack Ingram. John's wife Mary probably died before 1780.[6]

Occupation

John Lee Esq lived in Virginia at a time when tobacco was grown in fields in the state and plantation owners reaped the results. [7] He was in North Carolina when farmers joined forces in a fight that would foreshadow the American Revolution. [8] Although not stated, John Lee, Esq. could have been a planter of crops. He did amass a large quantity of land as shown below in his land grants.

Military Service

U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970 [9]
Name Hon John Lee
SAR Membership 72404
Role Ancestor
Application Date 22 Mar 1950
Spouse Mary Lee
Children Thomas Lee
Household Members
Name Age
William Frederick Franke Jr
Velma Acton Wilson
William Frederick Franke Sr
Dulcenia Irwin Watkins
Paul Emil Franke
Zilpha Acton
Stephen Wharton Watkins
Reverend William Acton
Elizabeth Lee
Susan Bailey
Judge Needham Lee
Mrs. Mary Rains
Captain Thomas Lee
Mary Lee
Hon John Lee
Ancestry.com

North Carolina Land Records

North Carolina Land Grant Search Source

Bertie County, North Carolina

28 Sep 1730 - North Carolina Land Grants, Book 3, Page 261, 640 Acres [10] West Side of Kenotoo Creek

Beaufort County, North Carolina

  • 18 Nov 1738 - North Carolina Land Grants, Book 10, Page 78, 500 Acres [11] On the North Side of Tar River Beginning at a Red Oak on the River
  • 18 Nov 1738 - North Carolina Land Grants, Book 5, Page 235, 500 Acres [12] North Side of Tar River

Craven County, North Carolina

  • 26 Jul 1743 - North Carolina Land Grants, Book 10, Page 290, 100 Acres [13]On the South side of Neuse Beginning at a Marsh Called Prickly Pare Marsh as a Live Oak Williams' Corner
  • 26 Jul 1743 - North Carolina Land Grants, Book 5, Page 374, 400 Acres [14] South Side of Neuse in the Low Grounds
  • 26 Jul 1743 - North Carolina Land Grants, Book 5, Page 433, 100 Acres [15] South Side of Neuse
  • 26 Jul 1743 - North Carolina Land Grants, Book 10, Page 223, 400 Acres [16]On the South side of Neuse River on the Low Grounds Beginning at a Gum at the Mistake
  • 20 Apr 1745 - North Carolina Land Grants, Book 5, Page 373, 400 Acres [17] South Side of Neuse in the Low Grounds
  • 20 Apr 1745 - North Carolina Land Grants, Book 10, Page 223, 400 Acres [18] On the South Side of Neuse River in the Low Grounds
  • 23 May 1757 - North Carolina Land Grants, Book 13, Page 170, 280 Acres [19] South Side of Trent River
  • 23 May 1757 - North Carolina Land Grants, Book 15, Page 239, 280 Acres [20] On the South Side of Trent River Beginning at a Pine in William Wickliffs Line
  • 22 Apr 1767 - North Carolina Land Grants, Book 17, Page 382, 100 Acres [21] On the South Side of Trent and Wt. Side of the Westermost Prong of Mill Creek
  • 22 Apr 1767 - North Carolina Land Grants, Book 18, Page 350, 100 Acres [22] On the South Side of Trent and Wt. Side of the Westermost Prong of Mill Creek

Edgecombe County, North Carolina

  • 25 Mar 1749 - North Carolina Land Grants, Book 11, Page 220, 637 Acres [23] Beginning at a Hickory [24]
  • 28 Apr 1753 - North Carolina Land Grants, Book 11, Page 217, 392 Acres [25] Beginning at Two Small Hickorys [26]

Johnston County, North Carolina

  • 26 Jul 1743 - North Carolina Land Grants, Book 22, Page 390, 275 Acres [27] South side of Neuse River Joining the Great Marsh
  • 07 Apr 1752 - North Carolina Land Grants, Book 2, Page 13, 270 Acres [28] South Side Neuse River
  • 07 Apr 1752 - North Carolina Land Grants, Book 10, Page 315, 270 Acres [29]South Side of Neuse River Beginning at a Hickory
  • 10 Mar 1758 - North Carolina Land Grants, Book 2, Page 187, 200 Acres [30] South side of Neuse River on a Branch of Bells Creek called the Miry Branch
  • 05 Dec 1761 - North Carolina Land Grants, Book 13, Page 310, 100 Acres [31] South Side of Neuse River
  • 05 Dec 1761 - North Carolina Land Grants, Book 13, Page 312, 70 Acres [32] North Side of Mill Creek
  • 05 Dec 1761 - North Carolina Land Grants, Book 15, Page 385, 100 Acres [33] On the South side of Neuse River on the Miry Branch
  • 05 Dec 1761 - North Carolina Land Grants, Book 15, Page 388, 70 Acres [34] On the North Side of Mill Creek Beginning at a Maple Near the Mouth of Little Swamp
  • 09 Jan 1761 - North Carolina Land Grants, Book 14, Page 226, 605 Acres [35] On the North Side the North Prong of Black Creek

Virginia Land Records

Fauquier County Virginia

  • 12 Dec 1766 Virginia Land Grant. Fauquier County Grantee(s): Lee, John; Lee, Henry and Lawson, Thomas Exors of Allen Macrae deceased. Description: 1277 Acres adjoining land of Clerk, Thornton, nad Stamp and On Hunger Run. Source: Northern Neck Grants N, 1766, p. 330 (Reel 295). Original survey exists. Part of the index to recorded copies of land grants issued by the agents of the Fairfax Proprietary between 1690 and 1781 and by the Commonwealth between 1786 and 1874. Original and recorded surveys are also indexed when available. The collection is housed in the Archives at the Library of Virginia. Available on microfilm. Northern Neck Grants, reels 288-311.
  • 11 Dec 1766 Fauquier County Grantee(s): Lee, John; Lee, Henry and Lawson, Thomas Exors of Allen Macrae deceased. Description: 432 Acres adjoining William Stamp and Bryan Fairfax and On Hunger Run. Source: Northern Neck Grants N, 1766, p. 329 (Reel 295). Original survey exists. Part of the index to recorded copies of land grants issued by the agents of the Fairfax Proprietary between 1690 and 1781 and by the Commonwealth between 1786 and 1874. Original and recorded surveys are also indexed when available. The collection is housed in the Archives at the Library of Virginia. Available on microfilm. Northern Neck Grants, reels 288-311.

Isle of Wight County Virginia

  • 28 Feb 1733 Isle of Wight County Description: 190 acres on the North Side of Meherrin River. Adjoining his own land.Source: Land Office Patents No. 15, 1732-1735 (v.1 & 2 p.1-522), p. 154 (Reel 13).Part of the index to the recorded copies of patents for land issued by the Secretary of the Colony serving as the colonial Land Office. The collection is housed in the Archives at the Library of Virginia. Available on microfilm. Virginia State Land Office. Patents 1-42, reels 1-41.

Nansemond County Virginia

  • 21 Feb 1720 Nansemond County Description: 247 acres near Sumerton Creek, adjoining his own land. Source: Land Office Patents No. 11, 1719-1724, p. 54 (Reel 10). Part of the index to the recorded copies of patents for land issued by the Secretary of the Colony serving as the colonial Land Office. The collection is housed in the Archives at the Library of Virginia. Available on microfilm. Virginia State Land Office. Patents 1-42, reels 1-41.
  • 16 Jun 1714 Nansemond County Description: 50 acres on the Westward Side of Summerton Creek. Beg.g & c. cross the neck to a Cyprus opposite to an Island in the said creek. Source: Land Office Patents No. 10, 1710-1719, p. 128 (Reel 10). Part of the index to the recorded copies of patents for land issued by the Secretary of the Colony serving as the colonial Land Office. The collection is housed in the Archives at the Library of Virginia. Available on microfilm. Virginia State Land Office. Patents 1-42, reels 1-41.

Spotsylvania County Virginia

  • 28 Sep 1728 Spotsylvania County Description: 850 acres beginning and Extending of William Edings on the South Side a Small Branch; thence and extending on the South West side of Sharps Road. Source: Land Office Patents No. 14, 1728-1732 (pt.1 & 2), p. 105 (Reel 11). Part of the index to the recorded copies of patents for land issued by the Secretary of the Colony serving as the colonial Land Office. The collection is housed in the Archives at the Library of Virginia. Available on microfilm. Virginia State Land Office. Patents 1-42, reels 1-41.

Stafford County Virginia

  • Stafford County
  • 13 July 1741 Stafford County Description: 269 acres between the Middle and North Runs of Chappawamsick, adjoining his own land. Source: Northern Neck Grants E, 1736-1742, p. 306 (Reel 291). Recorded survey available. Northern Neck Grants E, 1736-1742, p. 293 (Reel 291). Original survey exists. Part of the index to recorded copies of land grants issued by the agents of the Fairfax Proprietary between 1690 and 1781 and by the Commonwealth between 1786 and 1874. Original and recorded surveys are also indexed when available. The collection is housed in the Archives at the Library of Virginia. Available on microfilm. Northern Neck Grants, reels 288-311.
  • 13 Sep 1731 Stafford County Description: 300 acres beginning corner to Hancock Lee & c. down the Middle Run of Chappawamsick Source: Northern Neck Grants D, 1731-1732, p. 63, folio (Reel 291). Original survey exists. Part of the index to recorded copies of land grants issued by the agents of the Fairfax Proprietary between 1690 and 1781 and by the Commonwealth between 1786 and 1874. Original and recorded surveys are also indexed when available. The collection is housed in the Archives at the Library of Virginia. Available on microfilm. Northern Neck Grants, reels 288-311.
  • 2 Oct 1724. Note "This Deed was returned to me and cancelled and I granted the lands to Richard Fristow in fol. 221." Stafford County. Description: 245 acres beginning on the South Side of Ceader Run, and Chapawamsick. Source: Northern Neck Grants A, 1722-1726, p. 82, folio (Reel 290). Part of the index to recorded copies of land grants issued by the agents of the Fairfax Proprietary between 1690 and 1781 and by the Commonwealth between 1786 and 1874. Original and recorded surveys are also indexed when available. The collection is housed in the Archives at the Library of Virginia. Available on microfilm. Northern Neck Grants, reels 288-311.
A paper by Jacqueli Finley[36] in which she describes the moving boundaries around Nansemond County, Virginia and Johnston County, North Carolina.

Will & Death

Last Will and Testament of John Lee Senior[37][38][39][40]
Johnston County, Province of North Carolina.
4 December 1766.
Feb 1768 (proved).

In the Name of god, Amen, I John Lee s'r of Johnston County & Province of North Carolina Being To at this Time Tollerbly [tolerable] well in Health and of Sound Mind and Memory but Calling to mind the mortallity of Body and that it is Apointed for all men Once to Die do make and Ordain this my Last will and Testament in manner and form following that is to Say first Principally first of all I recommend my Soul into the hands of God that Gave it as for my Body I Commit it to the Earth to be Buried in a Decent manner at the Discretion of my Executors But Regarding my Worldly Estate with which it Hath Pleased god to Bless me with I Dispose of it in the following manner Viz in the first Place I Desire that all my Just Debts and funeral Charges be fully Satisfied and Paid.
Imprimis I Lend to my well beloved wife Mary Lee the Plantation whereon I now Live and all my Personal Estate for her to be possessed with and Enjoy During her Life Or widowhood.
Item I give and Bequeath unto unto my Son Robert Lee one Negro boy named Seasser to him and his Heirs forever.
Item I give and Bequeath unto my Son Edward Lee one Hundred Acres of Land more or less in the Low grounds of Neuse River whereon he has Cleared a Plantation Joyning [joining] John Lee's Line and a Hundred Acres of Land Lying in the Low grounds called John Guions [Greens?] field and Seventy five [75] Acres of Land More or less Lying on Mill Creek at the Bridge and one negro boy Called Abel to him and his heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my son John Lee two hundred Acres of Land more or Less in Low grounds of the the River whereon is a Plantation Called the Cows Bones and one Hundred Acres Lying in Bear hill joyning of his own Land and two Negroes a Boy and a girl Called Charles and Linn to him and his Heirs forever.
Item I give and Bequeath unto my Son Thomas Lee after my wifes Decease or widowhood the Plantation whereon I Now Live with the Remaining Part of the Low grounds and two hundred Acres of Land Lying in the Low grounds Called fredricks Lands and Part of a Tract of Land Called Trapnals Land it being the tract Joyning the Plantation it being Divided by a Line of Marked Trees Beginning at a Hickory Tree at the mouth of Cypress gut on the River and Running by the Line of Marked Trees to the Back Line and one Negro man Called Cuggo and a Negro Girl Called Jenny to him and His Heirs forever.
Item I give and Bequeath unto my Son Frederick Lee one Negro wench Called Rachel to him and his Heirs forever.
Item I give and B[equeath unto ... Dees or Pow... or something else???] one Negro man Called [?] and his child called Buster to her and her and her and her Heirs forever.
Note: In the original Will in the records of the County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions,[37] the above Item is difficult to transcribe as it appears across a worn and missing fold in the paper. In the later transcription in the records of the Clerk of the Superior Court,[38] the above item is omitted in its entirety. The item appears to follow the same form as the prior and subsequent bequests of enslaved persons, and is to a female heir.
Note: The above item may be a bequest to someone with the last name Dees or Powell. A Richard Dees witnesses the Will. Daughter Rachel who married John Powell is not otherwise named in the Will. The above item may be a bequest to either of them, or someone else.
Item I give and Bequeath unto my Daughter Mary Ballanger one Negro wench Called Nice and the and the Remaining Part of the Land Called Trapnals Lands to her and her Heirs forever.
Item I give and Bequeath unto my Daughter Sabray Green one Negro Girl Called Brine and twenty Pounds Prock to be Paid out of my Estate to her and her heirs forever.
Item I give and Bequeath unto my Grandson Shadrack Ingram one Plantation Containing two hundred Acres of Land more or less Joyning [joining] Richard Ingrams Line & John Lees Line and three hundred Acres of Land Lying on[d] White Oak Swamp a Branch of Mill Creek and a Negro Girl Called Judah to him and his Heirs forever.
Item I will that all Remaining Part of my Personal Estate after my wifes Decease or widowhood to be Equally Divided amongst my Children above Named to be Equally Divided by my Executors hereafter Named & I do hereby appoint my son Edward Lee and John Lee to be my hole and Sole Executors of my Last will and Testament utterly Revoking and Disannulling all Other or former wills and Testaments by me before made.
In witness whereof I have here unto Set my hand and affixed my Seal this 4th Day of December in the year of Our Lord one thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty Six. [4 Dec 1766]

Signed: John Lee (his mark).
Witnesses: Richard Dees (his mark), Golbird Hicks (his mark), Samuel Smith Jr.
Executors: my son Edward and John Lee.

The Will was apparently recorded in the February Term 1768, presumably when it was proved after John's death.[38]

Children

John and Mary's children were born in either Virginia or North Carolina. They had nine children in 17 years. John mentioned all of his children in his Will[37] except Rachel who married John Powell.

  1. Edward Lee b. 1725[41] d. 1775 married Mary Allen
  2. Robert Lee b. 1726[42] d. 1787 married (1st) Elizabeth Stevens (2nd) Elizabeth Godfrey
  3. Barthania Elizabeth (Lee) Ingram b. 1727[43] d. 1794 married William Ingram
  4. Rachel Lee b. 1728[44] d. 1768 married John Powell
  5. Thomas Lee b. 1729[45] d. 1816 married Mary Griffin, Mary Ingram Rains, Mary Bryan and possibly Mary Stone
  6. John Lee Jr b. 1730[46] d. 1809 married Mary Elizabeth Hocutt
  7. Mary (Lee) Ballenger b. 1731 d. 1797 married Edward Ballenger
  8. Frederick Lee b. 1737 d. 1814 married Susannah Ingram
  9. Sabray (Lee) Green b. 1742 d. 1795 married John Green

Research Notes

Research Free-Space Pages

Vital Statistics

Birth
His birth in about 1690 in Colony of Virginia [uncertain] is not reliably sourced.

An alternate birth of 11 Mar 1690 in Nansemond County, Colony of Virginia also listed in the Biography is also not reliably sourced.

Marriage
His marriage in about 1723 in Nottoway, Isle of Wight County, Colony of Virginia is not reliably sourced.

Unknown Parents

The parents of John Lee Esq (abt.1690-abt.1767) are Unknown.

Over time, a father and/or mother have been attached to this profile a number of times, but without reliable sources or other proof rising above the level of possibility.

See Help:Uncertain Parents for WikiTree's current guidelines for connecting uncertain parents.

Persons purported to be his parents (as found in the Changes history) include:

Spratlin-29 23:40, 19 October 2023 (UTC)

If it is true that he was born about 1690 in Nansemond County, then his father might be the John Lee mentioned in one or more of the following land grants:

Purported Wife

John Lee was married to Mary (____), LNAB not proven, naming her in his 4 December 1766 Will as Mary Lee.[37]

Mary (____) is purported to be Mary Bryan, the daughter of William and Alice MacLand Bryan. William Bryan is the son of John and Sarah Berryman Bryan. Alice MacLand is the daughter of John and Elizabeth (____) Bryan.

That Mary (____) is Mary Bryan is unsourced. The origin of this purported marriage is tbd.

This purported marriage has propagated and mutated, unsourced, to well over 10,000 on-line family trees:

  • See "All Family Trees results for John Lee", Ancestry.com.
    • The marriage is purported to have occurred in 1682 (before his and her listed births), 1700 (when she was 3 years old), 1710-1725, 1713, 1715, 1717, 1720, 1725, 1761, and 1787 (after his and her listed deaths), just to list a few.
    • The marriage appears to be most often purported to have occurred in Nottoway, Isle of Wight County, Colony of Virginia. Nottoway is apparently referring to Nottoway Parish, but this parish was not created until 1734.
    • The "sources" appear to be most often purported to be Ancestry Family Trees, Family Data Collection - Individual Records, and Family Data Collection - Marriages.
    • In a small number of family trees, his name is instead listed as Edward Lee, Esquire.
  • See "Results", FamilySearch.
    • Even though FamilySearch also has a single family tree, note the conflation of this John Lee with more than one profile there (e.g. his Will dated 4 December 1766 listed as the death date of persons in other counties).

This John Lee Sr was previously listed as marrying Mary Bryan in 1723 in Nottoway, Isle of Wight, Colony of Virginia.[47]

DNA Information

See John Lee DNA Discussions. All DNA information and opinions will be discussed on this free-space page.

Sources

  1. ↑ Family Search Pedigree File Sex: Male, Birth: 11 March 1690, VA, Johnston, North Carolina, United States, Death: 4 December 1766, Mill Creek, Johnston, North Carolina, United States, Marriages: (1), Spouse: Mary W /Bryan/, Marriage: 1725, Nottoway Parish, Isle of Wight, Virginia, United States 1, Sources: (1), Citing This Record: "Pedigree Resource File," database, FamilySearch (accessed 8 March 2018), entry for John /Lee/, cites sources; file (2:2:2:MMCC-5SG), submitted 25 September 2012 by Timothy Griffen [identity withheld for privacy]
  2. ↑ Virginia Map 1634
  3. ↑ Virginia Map 1721-1730
  4. ↑ Virginia Map 1731-1740
  5. ↑ Virginia Map 1761
  6. ↑ Source: W. Johnston, et al., compilers, John Lee Esquire and Some of his Descendants. (1975) (available at Johnston County, North Carolina library in Smithfield, North Carolina).
  7. ↑ Economic History of Virginia in the Seventeenth Century
  8. ↑ War of the Regulation or the Regulator Movement:Wikipedia
  9. ↑ Copy of SAR Application
  10. ↑ North Carolina Land Grant Book 3 Page 261
  11. ↑ North Carolina Land Grant Book 10 Page 78
  12. ↑ North Carolina Land Grant Book 5 Page 235
  13. ↑ North Carolina Land Grant Book 10 Page 296
  14. ↑ North Carolina Land Grant Book 5 Page 374
  15. ↑ North Carolina Land Grant Book 5 Page 433
  16. ↑ North Carolina Land Grant Book 10 Page 223
  17. ↑ North Carolina Land Grant Book 5 Page 373
  18. ↑ North Carolina Land Grant Book 10 Page 223
  19. ↑ North Carolina Land Grant Book 13 Page 170
  20. ↑ North Carolina Land Grant Book 15 Page 239
  21. ↑ North Carolina Land Grant Book 17 Page 382
  22. ↑ North Carolina Land Grant Book 18 Page 350
  23. ↑ North Carolina Land Grant Book 11 Page 220
  24. ↑ Land Grant Book 11 Page 220 Image
  25. ↑ North Carolina Land Grant Book 11 Page 217
  26. ↑ Land Grant Book 11 Page 217 Image
  27. ↑ North Carolina Land Grant Book 22 Page 390
  28. ↑ North Carolina Land Grant Book 2 Page 13
  29. ↑ North Carolina Land Grant Book 10 Page 315
  30. ↑ North Carolina Land Grant Book 16, Page 182 File # 1169
  31. ↑ North Carolina Land Grant Book 13 Page 310
  32. ↑ North Carolina Land Grant Book 13 Page 312
  33. ↑ North Carolina Land Grant Book 15 Page 385
  34. ↑ North Carolina Land Grant Book 15 Page 388
  35. ↑ North Carolina Land Grant Book 14 Page 226
  36. ↑ Jacqueli Finley, "Nansemond History".
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 37.3 County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Johnston County, North Carolina, Johnston County, North Carolina wills, Wills 1760-1830 Ada-Lin; database with images, FamilySearch (image 568, image 569, image 570).
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 Clerk of the Superior Court, Johnston County, North Carolina, Wills, 1760-1968; indexes, 1853-1970, Wills, vol. 2-3 1761-1892; database with images, FamilySearch (image 181).
  39. ↑ Last Will and Testament of John Lee Sr.
  40. ↑ Transcription of Last Will and Testament of John Lee Sr.
  41. ↑ Family Data Birth Record for Edward Lee
  42. ↑ Family Data Birth Record for Robert Lee
  43. ↑ Family Search Pedigree Resource File
  44. ↑ Family Search Pedigree File
  45. ↑ Family Data Birth Record Thomas Lee
  46. ↑ Family Data Birth Record for John Lee Jr.
  47. ↑ Family Records.

See also:

  • Johnston Co. Deeds, 1746--c1750", North Carolinian, Vol. I, pp. 5-13.
  • Edgecombe Precinct, Edgecombe County, North Carolina, 1732-1758, by Margaret Hofmann, Abstracts of deeds, Edgecombe Precinct, Edgecombe County, North Carolina, 1732 through 1758.

See also - other family trees:

  • Find A Grave: Memorial #98353534 for CPT John Lee Sr. (1695–1766) (memorial only, no gravestone photo).
  • "Captain William Lee, Esq." (1650–1696), Geni.com (profile).




Sponsored Search by Ancestry.com

DNA Connections
It may be possible to confirm family relationships with John by comparing test results with other carriers of his Y-chromosome or his mother's mitochondrial DNA. Y-chromosome DNA test-takers in his direct paternal line on WikiTree: It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with John:

Have you taken a DNA test? If so, login to add it. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA.

Images: 14
John Lee Descendants - U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970
John Lee Descendants - U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970
John Lee Descendants - U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970
John Lee Descendants - U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970
Will of John Lee, Esquire
Will of John Lee, Esquire
Nansemond History
Nansemond History
Whitfield, Bryan, Smith and related Families
Whitfield, Bryan, Smith and related Families
view all


Comments: 103

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Bashford-1806 Ken Bashford
Is the recommendation to change the LNAB of John Lee's wife Mary to Unknown still under consideration by the profile managers? If not, please explain. Thanks.
posted by Ken Bashford
edited by Ken Bashford
Ken Spratlin
My post of about a month ago got no responses, so I will proceed as discussed there:

The source [1] for the marriage will be deleted in 3 days unless a reliable source is presented. It is then recommended (1) her LNAB be changed to Unknown and a research note added for a disputed marriage and (2) all reliably sourced facts for Mary Bryan be moved to a new profile attached to the Bryan parents.

[I apologize for the delay; got behind during the holidays]

posted by Ken Spratlin
Bashford-1806 Ken Bashford
QUESTION about the Land Records.

‘John Lee’ was a pretty common name in colonial America. Is there any way of knowing that it’s the same John Lee on *all* of the land records documented in this profile?

The records in the more northern counties of Virginia — Stafford, Spotsylvania, Fauquier — seem particularly out of sync with all the others.

If this is the same John Lee on all of these land grants, then maybe he deserved the ‘Esq’ attached to his name, even if we don’t know why it’s there.

posted by Ken Bashford
Ken Spratlin
This was posted to the profile of Mary (Bryan) Lee (abt.1697-abt.1780) on 28 Nov 2023. I should have also posted it to John Lee's profile as well at the same time.

The marriage between a Mary Bryan and a John Lee is not reliably sourced. The source [1] for the marriage will be deleted in 3 days unless a reliable source is presented. It is then recommended (1) her LNAB be changed to Unknown and a research note added for a disputed marriage and (2) all reliably sourced facts for Mary Bryan be moved to a new profile attached to the Bryan parents.

The research note has now been added.

posted by Ken Spratlin
Ken Spratlin
Is there a reliable source (image of court record, etc.) with the suffix Esq? Would like to add that specifically to the Biography or Research Notes. The biography appears to say there are none: "The origin of Esquire (Esq) and his use of it, is unknown and does not seem to be related to his occupation or any historical record."

The suffix Esq will be removed in 3 days if no reliable source is presented by then. The suffix Sr will be added instead based on his Will.

posted by Ken Spratlin
Ken Spratlin
Is there an on-line image of the Will in which the following line in the Transcription image (citation 47) can be seen?

"Item. [line at fold torn and illegible--one word appears to be 'marriage'] Called Buster to her and her and her [sic] Heirs forever.

posted by Ken Spratlin
Leger-741 Loretta (Leger) Corbin
Ken,

On the Transcription image (citation 47) now (citation 46) there seems to be an error. I just read the hand written Will and there is not a written statement between Frederick and Mary Ballenger (citation 45), as suggested in the Transcribed image (citation 46). May I suggest the removal of (citation 46) to avoid future problems?

posted by Loretta (Leger) Corbin
Ken Spratlin
Thank you. Will review while making the changes I proposed 30 Nov 2023.
posted by Ken Spratlin
Ken Spratlin
The attached image of the Will is apparently a transcription of the original Will book. I found what appears to be an image of the original will and it indeed does contain the fold torn and illegible sentence. Will add link to this image and annotate both citation as to which is which.
posted by Ken Spratlin
Leger-741 Loretta (Leger) Corbin
Excellent. Thank you for finding the original image.
posted by Loretta (Leger) Corbin
Bashford-1806 Ken Bashford
What is the case for (1) attaching Mary Bryan as John Lee’s wife and (2) stating they were married in 1723 in Nottoway, Isle of Wight county, VA?
posted by Ken Bashford
Noland-165 Liz (Noland) Shifflett
Nottoway Parish (neither of them) existed prior to 1734. From Freddie Spradlin's Parishes of Virginia:
  • Nottoway Parish, formed in 1734 (from Warrosquyoake), served Isle of Wight Co to 1749 & Southampton Co to aft 1785. "When Southampton Co was formed from Isle of Wight in 1749, Nottoway Parish went too."
  • Nottoway Parish, formed in 1748, served Amelia Co to aft 1785 & Prince Edward Co to 1755. "After Prince Edward Co was formed from Amelia Co, in 1753, Nottoway Parish served both counties. Then in 1755, Nottoway Parish was divided, forming St. Patrick's Parish in Prince Edward Co."

From Category: Virginia Parishes:

posted by Liz (Noland) Shifflett
Ken Spratlin
It was not part of the Project's process when making a profile PMP/PPP at the time, so posting this now as attention on this profile has recently increased.

US Southern Colonies Project added (29 Oct 2020) project management (PMP) and project protection (PPP) as co-manager—disputed origins.

Please continue to manage normally, and review US Southern Colonies Project Editing Guidance before editing.

posted by Ken Spratlin
Bob Cole
His parents can't be Richard Lee/Mary Young. . . . They were 12 & 11 when he was born.

But Richard's dad, Richard Lee & Laetitia Corbin would be prime candidates. They have a 7 yr. gap in between kids (1683-1690). They already show one b. 1690...but, I think it's an approx. date. He is my 6GGF in my Cole & Leatherwood Family Tree. Bob Cole

posted by Bob Cole
edited by Bob Cole
Bashford-1806 Ken Bashford
EDIT: It has been correctly explained to me that I misused the word ‘Project’ in this comment. Therefore, in both instances where I used ‘Project’, I’ve replaced it with ‘profile’. — Ken, 10/21

Bob, your comment points to some of the incoherence I find in this profile.

Based on a single dubious reference, the profile is going with ‘about 1690’ for John’s year of birth … then leans toward Richard & Mary as ‘probable’ parents … and … while acknowledging absence of hard evidence, the profile provides life-support for the Nansemond origin theory. Were Richard and Mary in Nansemond?

Also, other than the same dubious reference used for John’s birth date, what is the evidence he married Mary Winford Bryan of Isle of Wight County?

-Ken

posted by Ken Bashford
edited by Ken Bashford
Bashford-1806 Ken Bashford
It’s been 4 1/2 years since a very long G2G discussion about DNA vs Traditional Research came to a close.

Where are we?

As someone who is very interested in this profile … but can barely even spell ‘DNA’ … I’m wondering:

What do we KNOW about John Lee-1662 that we haven’t learned from his Last Will and Testament?

posted by Ken Bashford
edited by Ken Bashford
Bashford-1806 Ken Bashford
For my future purposes, is Source #8 considered a reliable and/or primary source?
posted by Ken Bashford
Ken Spratlin
[8] Family Records?

Ancestry says it is: "Family Data Collection - Individual Records". I don't see any other description. Not reliable without more information.

posted by Ken Spratlin
Bashford-1806 Ken Bashford
If I’m reading it correctly, the land grant described at the URL below was for a parcel of land in Nansemond County that adjoined an existing parcel held by a John Lee. This grant was dated 1703. The grantee was a Thomas Milner, probably Milner-308.

Is the John Lee mentioned as a neighbor in this grant a potential candidate for the father of John Lee-1662, aka John Lee Esq?

Quote: “Description: 300 acres on the north east side of the Cypress Swamp a branch of Summerton Creek. Beg.g &c. by the swamp side it being a corner tree of John Lee's land.”

https://lva.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma990007965210205756&context=L&vid=01LVA_INST:01LVA&lang=en&search_scope=MyInstitution_noAER&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&tab=LibraryCatalog&query=any,contains,john%20lee&offset=10

posted by Ken Bashford
edited by Ken Bashford
Bashford-1806 Ken Bashford
Here is John Lee, GRANTEE, in 1694, Nansemond County:

Quote: “Description: 960 acres on the Eastward side of Sumerton creek Beg.g &c. standing on a small Island on the Eastward side of the aforesaid creek.”

https://lva.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma990007839750205756&context=L&vid=01LVA_INST:01LVA&lang=en&search_scope=MyInstitution_noAER&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&tab=LibraryCatalog&query=any,contains,john%20lee&offset=0

posted by Ken Bashford
Bashford-1806 Ken Bashford
The handwritten text of the 1694 grant makes clear that the patent was granted in exchange for John Lee’s “importation of twenty people into the colony”. It was a headright grant.

This suggests the following: 1) John Lee, Grantee of this patent, might have come to the Virginia Colony after this patent was issued in 1694, and 2) IF this John Lee is the father of John Lee-1662, then the latter might have been born either in England before his father’s emigration to Virginia or after his father’s arrival in Virginia.

If John Lee Esq was born in 1694 or within the next few years, this would not conflict with the date of his marriage or the date of his first child’s birth as presented in this profile.

posted by Ken Bashford
edited by Ken Bashford
Bob Cole
Ken, I just found a John Lee-29314 , (1670-1738) that recv'd a land patent for transporting 20 people.

That agrees with the land grant info that you referenced. Perhaps this is the father to the Lee-1662. Bob Cole

posted by Bob Cole
Bashford-1806 Ken Bashford
Great find, Bob!

Will take a hard look at that profile and the references/sources it points to.

Thanks! -Ken

posted by Ken Bashford
Bashford-1806 Ken Bashford
Another land grant for John Lee in Nansemond County, this one in 1675.

https://lva.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma990007839740205756&context=L&vid=01LVA_INST:01LVA&lang=en&search_scope=DIG_SP&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&tab=Digital&query=any,contains,John%20Lee,%20grantee&sortby=date_a&facet=topic,include,Lee,%20John.%20grantee&facet=searchcreationdate,include,1668%7C,%7C1860&offset=0

posted by Ken Bashford
Bashford-1806 Ken Bashford
The area of these land grants appears to have been near the eastern edge of what is now known as the Great Dismal Swamp, then Cypress Swamp, through which flows Somerton (then Summerton) Creek from southwest to northeast. This area today lies between Isle of Wight County to the north and Pasquotank County, NC, to the south. These two counties are associated with William Bryan-1413, father of Mary Winford Bryan, who married John Lee of this profile.

EDITED to change ‘western edge’ to ‘eastern edge’.

posted by Ken Bashford
edited by Ken Bashford
H Baggott
This seems a reasonable suggestion. Is there anything to confirm the presence of a John Lee Sr and John Lee Jr concurrently?
posted by H Baggott
Bashford-1806 Ken Bashford
A probate record for John Lee in Nansemond County, 1710-1750, would be good. Or a marriage record for John Lee or Mary Bryan in Nansemond or Isle of Wight, 1710-1730.
posted by Ken Bashford
edited by Ken Bashford
Bashford-1806 Ken Bashford
With some trepidation, I’m wondering about a possible cousin connection to the Lees of Dividing Creek and Stratford Hall.

In his 1990 book ‘The Lees of Virginia’, Paul Nagel notes that Thomas Lee (b.1690), grandson of Colonel Richard ‘The Immigrant’ Lee, served as agent of the Northern Neck proprietary (Lady Fairfax) from about 1710 to 1716. Thomas’ uncle, Edmund Jenings, was the official appointee to this agency, but Jenings recommended Thomas serve in his place while he remained in London, and Lady Fairfax granted Thomas the authority to do so. Nagel further notes that Lady Fairfax was generally well disposed toward the Lee family.

Noting John Lee’s (estimated) birth year of 1690, the absence of any hard evidence regarding the circumstances of his birth, and the Northern Neck and other Virginia land grants documented in this profile, is it beyond the realm of possibility that John and Thomas were related, perhaps as second, third, or even fourth cousins? Could John have descended from a brother or a paternal uncle of Richard ‘The Immigrant’?

Is anyone aware of research (since the Nagel book) into the descendants of ‘The Immigrant’s’ brothers and uncles?

posted by Ken Bashford
edited by Ken Bashford
Langston-2502 Gary Langston JR
Wouldn't his father have been

COL Richard Henry Lee BIRTH 11 Nov 1677 Northumberland County, Virginia, USA DEATH 10 Dec 1726 (aged 49) Northumberland County, Virginia, USA BURIAL Burial Details Unknown MEMORIAL ID 156816072

And Son of his wife, Mary Young Lee BIRTH 1679 Wales DEATH 7 Apr 1753 (aged 73–74) Buckingham County, Virginia, USA BURIAL Burial Details Unknown MEMORIAL ID 156816313

posted by Gary Langston JR
Bashford-1806 Ken Bashford
Assuming the birth years for all three are accurate, it would seem Richard Henry and Mary Young would have been too young for issue in 1690. Mary in particular.
posted by Ken Bashford
Langston-2502 Gary Langston JR
You are correct. I should have looked at the numbers better.
posted by Gary Langston JR
Ramsey Corbett
Thank you for sending the DNA data which confirms John is a relative of Thomas Lee but does seems a bit distant to be his direct descendant or a descendant of his nephew (assuming Thomas and William were that closely related). I recently noticed something I had missed which may or may not be a coincidence. The 1st born son of John Leigh (it is assumed from the way he spelled his name he was illegitimate) was named John Constable Lee (John's children used Lee not Leigh). Constable is the maiden name of Col. Richard Lee's wife, they were born about the same time as John Leigh and all three came to America. If he gave his son the name Constable in honor of the Col.'s wife it would further suggest he and Anne Lee were de la Lee (however the Col. had a son John, maybe Constable, Lee and the middle name of one son may be conflated with the other since there have been previous attempts to connect the families). The fact that John was married to a Bryan (a quite good family), is more evidence he was DeLee Magna but not necessarily a descendant of Anne.
posted by Ramsey Corbett
edited by Ramsey Corbett
Ramsey Corbett
I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss John's descent from the Shropshire Lee but through a maternal line. He might still be related to Robert E. but that depends on where John was born. YDNA has connected John to Thomas Lee d.1644 (on the voyage to America). His wife was the aunt of Mary Marvin, wife of William Lee whose father Robert b.1622 was Lee Magna and had a brother Thomas born circa 1620, a more important family in England than Robert E.'s ancestors. Robert's wife Ann Lee family unknown (she is not the daughter of Lancelot Lee), has Ged matches to John Leigh b. !620 who came from Colchester, Essex. Nearby in Great Burstead was Hugh, son of Robert Lee, Mayor of London. John Leigh may relate through an illegitimate line as could Anne Lee. I have found evidence (not proof) for this and for the mayor's father Humphrey who was from Bridgnorth, Shropshire not far from the de la Lee. I don't think Humphrey would surprise anyone but Anne Lee and John Leigh might. If John wasn't a descendant of Thomas or William Lee but was from another branch of Lee Magna then he wouldn't descend from Anne Lee or Shropshire, It would likely be an illegitimate line anyway. There's a 2nd, more speculative line. David Lee of N.J. who left for Va. and died in N.C., was a Devon Lee not related to Shropshire or Lee Magna but his sister in-law Sarah Maple was the granddaughter of William Lee. David has been connected through YDNA to the Corbin ancestors of Robert E. The patriarch of Lee Magna was Richard Lee d.1472, who was also Mayor of London. His wife was Lettice daughter of Corlish Ciarbin, patrich of his family and reputed to be Spanish although I haven't seen the evidence. Since the Corbin who can't be connected to any other family of that name, are related to the Devon Lee and since neither family can be traced further than the 1500's I will speculate they both descend from the Ciarbin. CORlish CiarBIN became CORBIN, while the Devon Lee borrowed from Lee Magna (whose name wasn't originally Lee either). in any case John descends from the Ciarbin. The 1500's were a time of conflict with Spain, it would be a good moment to change their name. If you're interested you can see the evidence/speculation at William and Anne Lee's pages in the Ramsey/Webster tree at Ancestry.com.
posted by Ramsey Corbett
edited by Ramsey Corbett
N Gauthier
Different DNA haplogroups means descendants are not blood related.

https://www.familytreedna.com/public/Lee?iframe=yresults

subgroup 7 haplogroup "R" for John Lee-1662, Esq. (1690-c1767) who m: Mary Winford Bryan

subgroup 21 haplogroup "I" for Richard Lee-318 (bef.1618-1664) who m: Anne Constable

subgroup 26 haplogroup "I" for Richard Henry Lee-1663 (1677-1726) who m: Mary Young

posted by N Gauthier
Leger-741 Loretta (Leger) Corbin
Space:John_Lee_DNA_Discussions
All DNA facts and opinions will be discussed on the page mentioned above.
posted by Loretta (Leger) Corbin
Linda (Smith) Friedlander
Lee-27511 and Lee-1662 appear to represent the same person because: I adopted Lee-27511, not realizing that there was already a profile for him. The birthdate on this profile was originally 1695, but I changed it to 1690. I also removed the Hon. prefix. The sources at the bottom are not from me, but from the original profile manager.
posted by Linda (Smith) Friedlander
Fann-206 Porter Fann
John Lee Esq is now John Lee Sr on FamilySearch, with Richard Henry Lee and Mary Young as parents, despite a flag re: Mary Young being too young to be John Lee's mother. I am disinclined to address these lines, at all, because the same names are used in branches of Lee in regions that are close.

For example, the son Thomas Lee (ca. 1729-1816) has been labelled as Thomas Greenberry Lee, not even designating him as Sr, when the line shown here is that the Greenberry name wasn't adopted until you get to the grandson.

If anyone wants to cleanup FamilySearch around this, please do. I ran across another son Thomas Lee who has the same exact vital dates, but comes from a different line, so obviously, conflation confusion happens.

posted by Porter Fann
Leger-741 Loretta (Leger) Corbin
This is a duplicate file and should be cleaned and merged away at some point in the future.
posted by Loretta (Leger) Corbin
Leger-741 Loretta (Leger) Corbin
No, actually used your demographics to search w1th, results posted to your page.
posted by Loretta (Leger) Corbin
N Gauthier
That's the proflem, you are trying to work too quickly instead of working accurately.

You are actually talking about different Walter Washington LEEs who are related to Steptoe,that are much younger than the one I wrote my message about. One has to pay attention to the different details!

posted by N Gauthier
Leger-741 Loretta (Leger) Corbin
From what I have found after several quick searches, Walter Washington Lee is a descendent of Richard and Judith Steptoe Lee. Unfortunately, this Lee Line does not hail from Richard and Judith Steptoe Lee.
posted by Loretta (Leger) Corbin
N Gauthier
To anyone researching this profile, please consider that another supposed child is Walter Washington Lee. So far the only source I have found is a burial record for him which needs to be confirmed. And please post if any further leads are found that need research. Thanks
posted by N Gauthier
Leger-741 Loretta (Leger) Corbin
Rodney please see https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:John_Lee_DNA_Discussions
posted by Loretta (Leger) Corbin
Rodney Bowers
yDNA testing has proved that John Lee esq. is not the son of Richard Lee and Mary Young. I propose this profile become a protected profile to prevent changes that mislead family members into believing John is the son of Richard Lee.
posted by Rodney Bowers
[Living Finley]
David,

I would love to assist in these areas of the Lee family too, for it has been one of my areas of expertise also, besides being my ancestors. I am new here on WikiTree, but have been a professional genealogist for a long time. Please see that I do have the knowledge, as Robin herself stated that she uses my work as a reference all the time:

On 19 Oct 2017 at 21:36 GMT Robin Lee wrote: Hi Jacqueli, I just realized who you are....I have used your site many times... http://leesofvirginia.org/

and:

You might want to take a look at http://www.leesofvirginia.org/Lees_of_Virginia.html and http://www.thesocietyoftheleesofva.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4&Itemid=543

Both of these groups have spent a lot of effort trying to discover the parents of Richard Lee and John Lee. This is the kind of research needed. In hopes of finding that there are records for this data, I have written to Dr. Lawler asking him to share the sources he has. commented Feb 4, 2016 by Robin Lee G2G6 Pilot edited Feb 4, 2016 by Robin Lee

posted by [Living Finley]

Unmerged matches › John Lee (1690-1766)
Rejected matches › John Lee Jr. (abt.1704-1757) › John Lee (abt.1715-) › John Lee (abt.1720-) › John Lee (1710-1768) › John Lee Jr. (1687-1765) › John Lee (bef.1691-)

Featured National Park champion connections: John is 16 degrees from Theodore Roosevelt, 20 degrees from Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger, 15 degrees from George Catlin, 15 degrees from Marjory Douglas, 18 degrees from Sueko Embrey, 16 degrees from George Grinnell, 26 degrees from Anton Kröller, 17 degrees from Stephen Mather, 22 degrees from Kara McKean, 14 degrees from John Muir, 17 degrees from Victoria Hanover and 24 degrees from Charles Young on our single family tree. Login to find your connection.

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Categories: Lee Name Study | Lees, Lee Name Study | Virginia Colonists