Descendants of John Lee of England

Generation #1

Research Note: A preponderance of information for the first two generations of this Lee family was gleaned from "Descendants of John Lee in Bertie and Edgecombe County, North Carolina" by Henry Lee King dtd 1995.

John Lee of England  (Conjecture)

The Henry Lee Society has expended talent, time and treasure to trace the genealogy of their members. Back in the 1980s, the search was for previous generations of two Henry Lees, one from Bertie and one from Gates county of early eighteenth century North Carolina.

Starting with two Henry Lees as purported ancestors, it was reasonable to assume their common ancestor would also be a Henry Lee. And, a genealogy for a Henry Lee of Shropshire, England, was reported by Betty Glover and Reba Shropshire in their The Lees and Kings of VA and NC, dtd 1975. However, that genealogy no longer appears to be credible.

Forty years later and after stalwart research by Henry Lee King, reasonable conjecture leads to the belief that the two Henrys were uncle and nephew and both descend from John Lee of the 1694 Nansemond Co VA land grant. 

Based on credible research by Henry Lee King in concert with DNA results which prove that the extensive Lee family of North Carolina and Mississippi are "of the family" of John Lee of Nansemond Co VA, we descendants of John Lee are comfortable listing John Lee of Nansemond or simply JLN as progenitor. Current research focuses on whether JLN was the immigrant ancestor or the possibility of previous Lee generations in Colonial Virginia as early as 1634.

Ship and Passenger Information:
Oaths taken January 2, 1634/5
Passengers embarking from the Port of London on the Bonaventure bound to Virginia 
Total passengers for Virginia: 169
James Ricrofte, Master
??? Lee, John  . . . . . . . 17        

CE Lewis

John Lee was born in about 1670, reportedly in Liecaster, England. And before 4/1694, John migrated to Nansemond Co VA. Evidence comes from the 4/20/1694 Nansemond Co VA Land Patent where John received headright for the transportation of twenty persons from England of whom only nineteen are enumerated. Reasonable conjecture leads to the belief that John, himself, was the twentieth person.

John Lee's individual circumstances in the home country are not known; however, his date of immigration places him in the Planter Class of early migrants. Evidence of John's social class comes from his outlaying of passage for twenty persons--the cost of which would have been enormous--and the fact that five of the persons transported were Negroes who also represent a considerable cost.

In about 1694, John married Mary Lee b. c. 1675. Was this Mary the Mary Emerson who John transported from England in 1694?

Not much is known of John's life in Virginia. What is known is that he was successful, leaving considerable land holdings in Virginia and North Carolina to his children. John died in 1738, leaving a will which does not survive. His death is verified through several deeds after 1738 from his children which specify the acreage from the original 1694 land grant.

Nansemond Co VA Deed Book 1, p. 341:
4/20/1694 JOHN LEE, 960 acres, Upper part of Nansemond County; on East side of Somerton Creek. Beginning on a small island on East side of said Creek; to Northeast side of the Cyprus Swamp, &c. Importation of 20 persons: Dennit ABNEY, Mary EMERSON, Hannah HAINES, Elizabeth EVANS, Catherine JONES, Rachell REDFERA, Alice GODALE, Thomas GODALE, George LAWRENCE, Walter WRIGHT, William KNOWLES, Adam BROACH, John WATTS, John SATERWHITE; Pallas, Attkena, Jupiter, Vulcan, Mars, Negroes.”
Research Note: John Lee's headright land was located northwest of Reynoldson in what is now Gates Co NC where Beaverdam Creek runs northwest into Somerton Creek which runs southwest to the Chowan River.
Nansemond Co VA Deed Book 10, p. 17:
Patent to Elias Ballard. 28 Apl 1711 Nansemond County 702a.  585a part thereof. Beg.g &c on the North West side of a swamp of Sumerton Creek, known by the name of the Beverdam swamp. 117a the residue Beg.g &c on the so. side of the aforesd. Sumerton creek it being a line tree of John Lee's land ....  William Speight's line ..... Hookes .... 14 persons to dwell within this our Colony of Virginia whose names are Jane Burk, Thomas Ross, Mary Taylor, Eliza. Reed, Anne Reed, James Fleming, Francis Cambridge, Eliza. Rod(?), Richard Rod(?), John Knowles, Saml. Woodward, William Williams, Eliza. Goodwin, & Margaret Thompson.
Virginia Land Patents Book 10, p. 128:
1714. 16 Jan. John Lee patented 50 acres Upper Parish of Nansemond Co on W side of Somerton Creek.
Northampton Co NC
1741 May 23. Thomas Thorn and Mary Thorn his wife of Northampton Co. to Wm Battle of Northampton Co. for 12 pds. 10 shill. current money of Va. 100 acres more or less, part of a patent to John Lee decd 1 Apr 1723 and given by his last will and testament to his daughter Mary Lee now the wife of Thomas Thorn, on the n. side of Indian Creek, joining Henry Gay, other lands of Wm Battle, and the creek.
Bertie Co. NC Deed Book E, p. 522:
1739 Aug 22. Joshua Lee & wife Mary to William Battle of Chowan Co. 40 pds. for 150 a. on NS Indian Creek Swamp "to the former Virginia Line" at Watering Branch. Adj. Thomas Thorn. Part of patent granted "John Lee dec" and given by the said John Lee in his last Will and Testament to Joshua Lee his son..."

    Children

    1. John Lee

Virginia Land Patents Book 11, p. 54:
1720. 21 Feb. John Lee patented 247 acres Upper Parish of Nansemond Co near Somerton Creek.
North Carolina Patent Book 8, p. 175:
1 March 1719/20. John Lee patented 300 acres in Chowan Precinct beginning at. . .John Pace Junior's corner. . .Edmund Clark's line. . .John Pace Senior's line. . .then on his own line. . . .

1 March 1719/20. Thomas Spites patented 640 acres in Chowan Precinct, joining his own corner tree, ye Horse Pen Pocoson, Francis Spites, ye Beaver Dam Branch, Paul Pender, Richard Sanders, John Lee, and Colo. Milner.
North Carolina Patents Book 3, p. 128:
3/26/1723. John Lee patented 600 acres of land on the west side of Chowan River in Bertie county on the NS of Indian Creek joining John Hooks, the creek swamp and the Virginia line.
North Carolina Patents Book 3, p. 161:
1730. Sep 28. John Lee patented 640 acres in Bertie county on NS of Conoho Creek. . .
1730. Sep 28. John Lee patented 640 acres (#2) in Bertie county beginning. . . 
Edgecombe County North Carolina, Deed Book I, p. 131:
17 Aug 1734. John Lee, planter, to William Johnson 12 pounds, 200 acres on north side Conoconara swamp, it being a part of John Lee's patent dated Sept 1730: Witness: Needham Bryant, and Thomas Cook.
Edgecombe Co NC Deeds, Book 1, p. 437:
John Lee of Bath County sold James Everett 100 acres of land patented in Bertie Precinct and dated 28 Sep 1730 which land is now in Edgecombe Precinct on the NS of Coho. . .
Bertie Co NC Deed Book F, p. 182:
John Lee of Edgecombe county and Mary Lee his wife sold Theophilus Pugh 640 acres on WS of Kenetoe Creek in Bertie county being the tract of land granted to the said John Lee by patent 28 Sep 1730.
Wit: J. Barker, John Pugh, W. Taylor.

January 26, 1744. John Lee of Edgecombe sold 400 acres on south side of Moratuck (Roanoke River) joining Pocosin (Cypress Swamp).
Witnesses: Thomas Taylor, William Reddin, Thomas Price.

    2. William Lee

Bertie Co NC Deed Book B, p. 105:
John Rasberry and wife Briget to William Lee 200 acres on Deep Branch adjoining Francis Dunn.
Wit: Charles Cavenah, William Barefield.
Bertie Co NC Deed Book G, p. 509:
1752. Jan 15. William Lee, husbandman, to Joshua, Francis, and Ann Lee.
Deed of gift for land and affection for good will and affection toward my two sons and Joshua Lee and Francis Lee and my daughter Ann Lee - all my lands and tenements, goods and Chattels:
-to Joshua that part of my land whereon he now lives as known to be mutually agreed upon.
-to Francis the plantation on which I now live except the party already laid off to Joshua.
-a feather bed to each and a feather bed to Ann.
-the rest of my estate to be equally divided between the three children, not intended to be property of my sons and daughter until after the death of myself and my wife Martha Lee.
-If either of my sons shall die without issue, the survivor shall be investeed.
Wit: William Lee, Christopher Holloman, Peggy Wynns, Benjamin Wynns; Proved: May Ct 1753.

    3. Daughter Lee

Northampton Co NC Deed Book 1, p. 351:
20 Aug. 1748. HENRY GAY of Northampton Co., planter to JAMES GAY of Northampton Co. 7 pounds 10 shillings current money of Va. 150 acres more or less on the west side of Chowan river on Buckhorn swamp, joining WILLIAM GAY, JOHN DEW, ABRAHAM DEW, JOHN CHESHER and the swamp, being part of a tract granted to JOHN DEW by patent, all houses, buildings etc.
Wit: JAMES MANY, CHARLES KING, JOHN GARLING Reg. Northampton Co. Aug. Ct. 1748 J. Edwards C. Ct.

    4. Richard Lee

Bertie Co NC Deeds Book D, p. 188:
1734. Godfrey Lee to Richard Lee - 15 pounds - 270 acres south side Indian Creek adj. Richard Holland now in possession of David Jarnekan on Godfrey's Great Branch.
Wit: Henry Gay, William Gay, John Ellison, John Lee.
Bertie Co NC Deeds Book F, p. 48:
1939. Sept. 29. Richard Lee to John Butler - 40 pounds - 270 acres on south side Indian Creek adj. Richard Holland, now in possession David Jarnegan; adj Godfrey Lee at a Great Granch commonly called Godfrey Lee's Great Branch to the main run of Indian Creek.
Wit: James Maney, Henry Gay.
Edgecombe Co NC Records:
1 Apr 1756. Will of Richard Lee, Sr.; Probated May Ct 1756.
Timothy Lee, son, 100 acres on Contentny Creek in James Roberts patent; Arthur Lee, son, cow and calf; Elizabeth Lee, daughter, all cattle and stock; Rachel Lee, daughter, cow and calf; Richard Lee, son, 50 acres joining land where he now lives; Sarah Horn, daughter, cow and calf; Solomon Lee, son, plantation where I now live, cattle, etc.; Martha Lee, daughter, bed and cattle.
Executor: son, Solomon Lee; Wit: Absalom Holliman, James Permenter, William Fokes.

    5. Mary Lee

Northampton Co NC Deeds Book 1, p.32:
23 May 1741. THOMAS THORN and MARY THORN his wife of Northampton Co. to WILLIAM BATTLE of Northampton Co. 12 pounds 10 shillings current money of Va. 100 acres more or less, part of a patent to JOHN LEE decd. 1 Apr. 1723 and given by his last will and testament to his daughter MARY LEE now the wife of THOMAS THORN, on the north side of Indian creek, joining HENRY GAY, other lands of WILLIAM BATTLE and the creek.
Wit: ROBERT SHERMAN, WILLIAM LEE, DAVID JARNAGEN, SR.
Reg. Northampton Co. Aug. Ct. 1742 J. Edwards C. Ct.

    6. Joshua Lee b. 1706 Nansemond Co VA

    7. Godfrey Lee

North Carolina Patents Book 3, p. 127:
3/26/1723. Godfrey Lee patented 540 acres of land on west side of Chowan River in Bertie county of SS of Indian Creek joining Richard Holland and said creek.
Bertie Co NC Deeds Book D, p. 188:
1734. Godfrey Lee to Richard Lee - 15 pounds - 270 acres south side Indian Creek adj. Richard Holland now in possession of David Jarnekan on Godfrey's Great Branch.
Wit: Henry Gay, William Gay, John Ellison, John Lee.
North Carolina Patents Book 5, p. 25:
6/5/1740. Godfrey Lee patented 640 acres in Edgecombe county on SS of Town Creek joining John Lotts corner etc. 
Chowan Co NC Deed Book G, p. 356:
8/8/1754. Chowan Co. NC. William Lee of Bertie CO, Sells to Samuel Lee, son & Heir of Godfrey Lee of North Hampton Co. NC for 20 Es lawful money of VA...100 acres in Chowan Co. on NS of Cypress Swamp, beginning at the south of Plumb Tree Branch being part of a tract granted to John Lee. Wits: Anne A Lee, Sampson Pope, Francis Lee,
Northampton Co NC Deed Book 1, p. 377:
5/9/1749. Joseph Scott and Sarah his wife gave Anne Williams, Sarah Lee, and Samuel Lee, for good will and affection we bear our three children etc.
Wit: James Maney, Nicholas Maget, Jane Maget.
Records of the Secretary of State NC:
1771 November. Sarah Scott. Will probated in Hertford county with Samuel Lee executor. 

Generation #2

Caveat
This site is provided for reference only. Except where specifically cited, information contained is conjecture and should not be considered as fact.
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