CAMPBELL COUNTY, VA - HISTORY - Campbell Chronicles and Family Sketches Family Sketches - Lee ----¤¤¤---- CAMPBELL CHRONICLES and FAMILY SKETCHES Embracing the History of CAMPBELL COUNTY, VIRGINIA 1782-1926 By R. H. EARLY With Illustrations J. P. BELL COMPANY LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA 1927 Lee David Lee is the first of the name in county records and appears as early as 1745 when he patented 1800 acres on Ward's Fork. In 1761 James and Mary Lee came to Bedford county with their son, William. John and Richard Lee had lived previously in Albemarle, and (according to family report) originally settled in Northumberland and perhaps descended from Richard Lee, the emigrant. William Lee and his wife, Ava Noel of Bristol, England. Children:-Tabitha m, Thomas Andrews;—Alexander m. Sarah Guthrey, dau. of John Lee;—John, Jr. . . .;—Garnett . . .; Rebecca m. Beverly, son of John Lee, Sr.; —Ava m. William Hicks;—William;—Richard;—Ann. Richard Lee, Sr., m. Tabitha Andrews s. p., left property to brothers William and John, Sr. Children of Captain John Lee, Sr.:—Burwell . . .;— Stephen . . .;—Beverly m. Rebecca, dau. of Wm. Lee;— Patty m. John Arnold of Rockbridge county;—Sarah Guthrey m. Samuel Alexander, son of William Lee, Sr.;—Elizabeth m. James Lancaster;—Susannah m. Robert Clark;—Pamela m. James Crider;-Mary;—Ann m. David Holladay;—John, Jr., . . .;—Richard Henry . . .;-Matilda m. Drury Holland;—Agnes . . .;-Sophia . . . A very old place, the Lee-Richardson home, burned down about five years ago, which stood near Lynch's Station, with cellar under the front part and at the back a stone room, was built above ground one story, with one door and window. The graveyard adjoining contains many Lee tombstones, the oldest of which was that of John Lee, born 1774, died 1831, aged 57 years, who must have been son of William, Sr., or John, Sr., the last of whom is given the title of captain. In 1799 John Lee patented 2OO acres on the south side of Goose creek. The will of John Lee written in 1818 gives a complete list of his family: his wife was apparently not living then. The document, after making the usual provision for the burial of his body and payment of his debts, takes on a threatening tone as if some one had offended him and would accordingly suffer in the disposal of his property. But further explanation indicates that he had been a careful business man, keeping account of whatever benefits he had given his children, with the view of equalizing the portions in his last testament; and in order to insure having that carried out strictly according to the letter, with the following prelude: "If any of my sons, sons-in-law, daughters or daughters-in-law had done me any favors I have made it my principle and study to compensate, and make that person who did me favors equal amends, otherwise I gave them credit in their accounts on my books for what their service was worth,—which stand as permanent in case they bring in any accounts against my estate: in the latter event they are to forfeit one-half of the legacy allotted them, which is to be divided among legatees who do not contend, and I humbly hope and desire that there be no dispute respecting what I have left behind by the blessing of Almighty God, what He has pleased to bestow upon me, his poor weak and unworthy servant." To the legatees, then, who observe well and comply with the conditions of his will be began with his son Burwell, to whom he devised the land and plantation whereon he (John Lee), lived, on the north side of Goose creek and Staunton river, being part of a tract purchased of Captain Jacobus Early, with the exception of that part called Darby's Field on the north side of Goose creek at Darby's ford adjoining the lands of Jesse Leftwich and 128 acres taken off to form Leesville at the junction of Goose creek and Staunton river, leaving 246 acres; also to Burwell 246 acres purchased of Robert Owen, adjoining the land "I live on," being 135 1/2 acres. To sons Stephen and Beverly "I lend during their lives," 14O acres in Bedford county (deeded by Thomas Halley), bought of Thomas Smith, and a mill built upon it, and 5OO acres adjoining deeded by William Leftwich and 126 acres deeded by Lucy Pratt; son Beverly equally sharing in the mills. At their deaths and the death of Rebecca, wife of Beverly, the property to be equally divided between their heirs. To daughter, Patsy Arnold and her husband, John Arnold, slaves and furniture, and to son-in-law, Alexander Lee and wife, Sarah G. Lee, ditto; to son, Samuel Alexander and his wife, Sarah Guthrey-Lee, slaves and furniture; to daughter, Polly Lee, ditto; to son-in-law, James Lancaster and daughter, Elizabeth. (his wife) ditto; to son-in-law, Robert Clark, and daughter Susannah (his wife), ditto; to son-in-law, Henry Crider, and daughter, Parmelia (his wife) ditto; to daughter, Mary Lee, ditto; to son-in-law, David Holladay and daughter, Ann (his wife), ditto; to son, John, two tracts of land in Campbell and Bedford, 146 acres granted to Henry Hendrickson, 2OO acres adjoining, granted to John Lee, Sr., by patent April 1799; to son, Richard Henry, £5OO in cash, slaves and furniture; to daughter, Matilda, and her husband, Drury Holland, slaves and furniture; to daughter, Aggy, slaves and furniture; for daughter, Sophia, $12OO to be raised out of the estate, and put at interest, which was to be paid yearly, and at her death to be equally divided among heirs. There seems to be another daughter, "Shelica," but that may have been a mistake made by the clerk. This enumerates 15 children and the marriages of most of them. The name of Samuel Alexander Lee repeated produces the appearance of two of the same name; but it appears that a son-in-law bearing that name, was intended. John Lee's will continues instructions to sell the lots in Leesville, commencing at the mouth of Plumb Tree branch and, together with money from sales already made, equally divided into 9 lots, to be drawn for by his daughters, excepting Sophia, already provided for. The tract bought of John Armistead and that bought of Jacob Cilly (the last deeded to Lee by Henry Brown), both in Bedford county, were to be sold and money therefrom divided between 5 sons, Burwell, Stephen, Beverly, John and Richard Henry Lee. To Burwell Lee also was given all the lots in Leesville on the west side of 3rd broad street leading from Goose creek, excepting 2 acres adjoining the mill together with the mill seat, which was to be reserved for the estate and allotted for commons for the mill, the 2 acres to extend from the center of the mill house due north. Burwell Lee and 3 sons-in-law, John Arnold, James Lancaster and Robert Clark appointed executors. Witnesses to will, David Quarles, Vincent Snow, John Anderson, Jr., and Charles Noell. Securities in penalty of $6O,OOO, Vincent Snow, John Lee, Jr., Collins Bradley, Benj. Haden, Wiatt Arnold, Jas. M. Haden and William V. Haden. Captain John Lee was constantly trading in real estate, gave at one time 15 deeds of transfer, which was doubtless in the sale of lots at Leesville. ___________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com ___________________________________________________________________ File size: 7.4 Kb