John Lee Jr (abt. 1730 - abt. 1809)

Born about 1730 in Buckingham, Buckingham County, Colony of Virginia

Descendants

Died about 22 Aug 1809 at about age 79 in Green, Hawkins, Tennessee, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: H Baggott [send private message]

Biography

Preliminary Notes

The terms Senior and Junior were not affixed for life during the colonial period. A Junior, the son of a Senior, would become Senior with his father's passing if he also had a namesake son. Also, two men in a certain locale who shared the same pair of given and family names would sometimes be differentiated by Senior and Junior to avoid confusion. The terms did not automatically imply relationship. The subject of this profile, John Lee, was the son of a John Lee and the father of a John Lee. This profile's John Lee was known both as Junior and Senior, depending on the time of life. There could be many other John Lees both related and not. The name is not unusual.

Birth

John was born about 1730. He was the son of John Lee and Mary (______). At present, there is no source to confirm that he was born in Buckingham, Virginia. Since his parents started their family in the northern portions of North Carolina between the Roanoke and Tar rivers (per father John Lee's profile), it is likely John was born in North Carolina--perhaps in Albemarle county before it was abolished in 1738, at which time it was divided into four counties representing its previous four districts.^[1] Father John Lee is referred to as being from Edgecombe county, North Carolina, one of the four resulting counties. That is likely son John Lee's birthplace.

Around 1743, the senior John Lee removed to Johnston county, North Carolina, with his family, including the younger John Lee. The senior John Lee acquired his first tract of land there on 26 July 1743, two grants of land along the south bank of the Neuse River.

This profile's John Lee, then known as junior, later acquired tracts along the same river in the same county, Johnston.

John Lee the younger passed away about 1809.^[2]

Legal Matters

• 1770 Jan 9. [Johnston County Deed Book Transcript #3] #422. John Green of Bladen Co to JOHN LEE Johnston Co for £50, 100 acres plantation in the fork of Mill Creek between Hicks Br. and white oak Sw ... land granted to said Green by patent 22 Dec 1768. Wit: Edward Lee, Lewis Bryan; signed John Green; May Court 1770.^[3]
• 1774 Feb 7. [Johnston County Deed Book H-1] #163. JOHN LEE witnessed the sale of property by Simon Salter and wife Mary of Granville Co to David Holliman of Johnston Co.^[4] The land was originally part of a grant from Lord Granville to Robert Bryant, a maternal relative of John Lee.
• 1776 Apr 4. [Johnston County Deed Book H-1] #299. JOHN LEE of Johnston Co to Jenet Erwin of Johnston Co for Love Good Will and Affection to my stepdaughter, a negro girl Sall, provided she shall not take said negro into her possession during the life of JOHN LEE and wife Elisabeth ... and give 1st child to Samuel Wilder ... 2nd child to Matthew Wilder, and 3rd child to Joseph Erwin ... Jenet Erwin shall deliver said children to its respective owner after the decease of JOHN LEE and wife Elisabeth .... Wit: James Edins, John Browne; [signed] John (scrawl) Lee..^[5]
• 1776 Apr 7. [Johnston County Deed Book H-1] #302. JOHN LEE of Johnston Co to Edward Lee and William Lee of Johnston Co, for Love Good Will and Affection to my sons ... Edward, 1 negro girl Lilly; William, 1 negro boy Peter, provided they remain in their possession for the natural life of JOHN LEE ... Wit: John Edins, John Browne; [signed] John (mark) Lee.^[6]
• 1784 Jun 20. [Johnston County Deed Book O-1] #199. JOHN LEE Jr of Johnston Co to Charles Hines of Wayne Co for $30, 100 acres part of tract surveyed by said Lee, adjacent Lees corner, Middle Prong ... Wit: John Bryan, Asa Bryan; signed John Lee; August Court 1785.^[7]
• 1791 Nov 26. [Johnston County Deed Book S-1] #76. JOHN LEE Sr of Johnston Co sells to Robert Lee of Kershaw Co SC for £60, a negro Hannah ... Wit: Willis Wilder, Jinny King; [signed] John (X) Lee; November Court 1791.^[8]
• 1791 Nov 28. [Johnston County Deed Book S-1] #77. JOHN LEE of Johnston Co to Elizabeth Lee and my son Robert Lee of SC for Love Good Will and Affection to Elizabeth -- 1 bed and furniture, livestock, saddle, chest and trunk; to Robert Lee -- a negro girl Hannah and negro boy George ... said negroes to remain in possession of JOHN LEE until decease of JOHN LEE ... I give and bequeath to heirs of John Lee Jr the land and plantation where I now live ... after death of myself and wife ... Wit: John Vinson, Willis Wilder; [signed] John (X) Lee; November Court 1791.^[9]
• 1793 Nov 7. [Johnston County Deed Book T-1] #179. JOHN LEE (Sr) of Hawkins Co NC [later TN] to James Lee of Johnston Co for £60, 100 acres Southside of Neuse River adjacent Ingram ... part of land granted to John Powell 1762 ... Wit.: John Smith, Kader Lee; signed JOHN LEE Sr; February Court 1794.^[10]
• 1793 Oct 26. [Johnston County Deed Book T-1] #181. JOHN LEE (Sr) of Hawkins Co NC [TN] to James Lee of Johnston Co for affectionate regard, 2 tracts in Johnston Co (1) 100 acres Southside of Neuse River in Bear Hill Pocoson adjacent the Marshes ... granted to John Powell ... (2) 225 acres adjacent above tract, adjacent the Great Marsh and outside the low grounds, Nathan Williams ... grant to JOHN LEE 22 July 1774 ... and I, the said James Lee do hereby acknowledge myself fully satisfied for the same for my full right and part of JOHN LEE Estate... Wit: John Smith, Cader Lee; signed JOHN LEE Senr; February Court 1794.^[11]
• 1794 Nov. [Johnston County Deed Book U-1] #123. JOHN LEE (Sr) of Johnston Co to Robert Lee for Natural Love and Affection to my son, 150 acres going by the name of Cowbones, Southside Nuce [Neuse] River adjacent Shadrack Ingram, Jeremiah Lee & the River ... Wit: Saml Smith, Bryan Smith; signed JOHN LEE Senr; February Court 1795.^[12]
• 1794 Oct 30. [Johnston County Deed Book V-1] #131. JOHN LEE of Hawkins Co NC [TN] to Benjamin Wright for £200, (1) 300 acres, both sides Black Mingo Swamp adjacent Sassers land and Cumberland Co line, patent by John Sasser and Drewery Hix ... (2) 122 acres North side Black Mingo Swamp and lower side of Beards Brook ... granted to James Harrison 1779 ... Wit: Hopkins Lee, Matthew Moore; [signed] JOHN LEE by James Lee his Attorney; November Court 1795..^[13]
• 1795 Jul 8. [Johnston County Deed Book V-1] #182. JOHN LEE (Sr) of Hawkins Co and Western Territory South of the Ohio River to Robert Lee of Hawkins Co for £40, 100 acres in Johnston Co Northside Mill Creek, below his ford ... Wit: Hopkins Lee, Burrell Lee; signed JOHN LEE Senr..^[14]
• 1787 May 28. [Johnston County Deed Book V-1] #214. JOHN LEE of Cumberland Co to James Lee and William Ballenger of Johnston Co, Power of Attorney to receive all money etc. due said Lee in Cumberland Co and to make deeds etc. ... Wit: Alexr Avera, Nathan Allen; signed JOHN LEE; February Court 1796..^[15]

Land Grants

• 1758 - Johnston - 200 acres - Southside of Neuse River on a Branch of Bells Creek called the Miry Branch^[16][17]
• 1758 - Johnston - 200 acres - On the Southside of Neuse River on a Branch of Bells Creek^[18][19]
• 1782 - Johnston - ? acres - On both sides of the Beaverdam of Mill Creek^[20][21]
• 1785 - Johnston 1784 - 25 acres - Joining his own lines^[22][23]

Wife and Children

Wife: Elizabeth Hocutt Lee

Children:

• Robert Lee [Last son mentioned in the Will. Also see Legal Matters for 1791.]
• James Lee [See Legal Matters for 1793.]
• Cader Lee [In Will.]
• Edward Lee [See Legal Matter 7 Apr 1776.]
• William Lee [See Legal Matter 7 Apr 1776.]
• Burrell Bassett Lee [In Will.]
• John Lee [In Will.]
• Mary Lee [In Will.]
• Martha Lee + her son William Lee [Both in Will.]
• Sarah Lee Patrick [In Will.]

Stepdaughter to John Lee (unknown relationship to Elizabeth):

• Jenet Erwin [See Legal Matter 4 Apr 1776. Other potential step relatives include Samuel Wilder, Matthew Wilder, and Joseph Erwin.]

Will

Will of John Lee (Sr.) Dated: August 22, 1809

In the name of God, Amen.

I John Lee Senior of the County of Hawkins and State of Tennessee, being of the decline of life, though weak in body but of perfect mind and memory, Thanks be to God, calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament, that is to day, principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul to the hands of Almighty God that gave it and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian burial at the discretion of my Executors nothing doubting but at the general Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the Mighty power of God. And touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life, I give, devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form:

First. I bequeath to my three sons, Cador, Burrell and John Lee one negro man named Mark, to be divided equally between them, also to my son John one bed and furniture to contain forty weight of feathers to the bed and five to the bolsters.

I now bequeath to my daughter Mary Lee, First, a parcel of land being the lower part of my plantation. Beginning on Thomas Lee's line on the north hillside and running along his line to the corner, from thence to the dividing line between my land and Enoch Marrisett. Thence along the dividing line across Dry Creek. Thence along the bank of the creek to the peach orchard fence. Thence along the said fence to the cross fence. Thence along that cross fence to my shop, thence along the other fence to the hog pen by the spring. From thence to an ash at the spring, from thence through the middle of the spring to an ash. From thence across to two persimmons in the Sugar Camp branch. Thence up the said branch to the back lines, from thence to the beginning containing 100 acres more or less, with one horse colt called Snip to her after my wife's death.

The rest of my land to be divided between my daughters Martha Lee and Sarah Patrick. Beginning at the mouth of said Martha Lee's spring branch and running up said branch to the chopt dogwood, thence a direct course to the back line containing 75 acres more or less. Martha Lee to have one colt called Bird after my wife's decease.

Also, I give and bequeath to my grandson William Lee one bed and furniture - the bed that me any my wife lies on. The rest of my stock and household furniture to be equally divided between Mary Lee, Martha Lee, Sarah Patrick and William Lee, son of Martha Lee, to be theirs after my wife's decease. Also, I give and bequeath to my grandson William Lee, all my working tools of all kinds.

Also I give and bequeath to my wife Elizabeth Lee one negro woman names Cind to be hers from lifetime and after her decease to belong to Mary Lee and Sarah Partrich.

Also I give and bequeath to my wife Elizabeth Lee one negro man named Tour to be hers her lifetime and after her decease to be equally divided between my son Robert Lee and my daughters Mary Lee and Sarah Partrich.

I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke and disanull all and every other former testament, will, legacy, bequeath and executors by me anyway before named, willed and bequeathed, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have herewith set my hand and seal in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nine this 22nd day of August 1809. John Lee (seal)

Signed, sealed, published, pronounced and delivered before said John Lee as his last will and testament in the presence of us and who in his presence and the presence of each other have herewith subscribed our names.

Witnesses: James Lee, Edward Lee, James Griffin^[24]

Sources

1. ↑ Wikipedia page--Albemarle County, North Carolina
2. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/135059773/john-lee: accessed 12 April 2023), memorial page for John Lee Jr. (3 Dec 1729–22 Aug 1809), Find A Grave: Memorial #135059773, citing Lee Valley Cemetery, Hawkins County, Tennessee, USA; Maintained by Reta Mellons (contributor 47277838).
3. ↑ Elizabeth E. Ross and Zelda B. Wood, eds., Kinfolks of Johnston County: Abstracts of Deeds 1759-1825, Print, vol. 1 (Elizabeth E. Ross, 1993), p. 25.
4. ↑ Elizabeth E. Ross and Zelda B. Wood, eds., Kinfolks of Johnston County: Abstracts of Deeds 1759-1825, Print, vol. 1 (Elizabeth E. Ross, 1993), p. 28.
5. ↑ Elizabeth E. Ross and Zelda B. Wood, eds., Kinfolks of Johnston County: Abstracts of Deeds 1759-1825, Print, vol. 1 (Elizabeth E. Ross, 1993), p. 30.
6. ↑ Elizabeth E. Ross and Zelda B. Wood, eds., Kinfolks of Johnston County: Abstracts of Deeds 1759-1825, Print, vol. 1 (Elizabeth E. Ross, 1993), p. 30.
7. ↑ Elizabeth E. Ross and Zelda B. Wood, eds., Kinfolks of Johnston County: Abstracts of Deeds 1759-1825, Print, vol. 1 (Elizabeth E. Ross, 1993), p. 38.
8. ↑ Elizabeth E. Ross and Zelda B. Wood, eds., Kinfolks of Johnston County: Abstracts of Deeds 1759-1825, Print, vol. 1 (Elizabeth E. Ross, 1993), p. 39.
9. ↑ Elizabeth E. Ross and Zelda B. Wood, eds., Kinfolks of Johnston County: Abstracts of Deeds 1759-1825, Print, vol. 1 (Elizabeth E. Ross, 1993), p. 39.
10. ↑ Elizabeth E. Ross and Zelda B. Wood, eds., Kinfolks of Johnston County: Abstracts of Deeds 1759-1825, Print, vol. 1 (Elizabeth E. Ross, 1993), p. 45.
11. ↑ Elizabeth E. Ross and Zelda B. Wood, eds., Kinfolks of Johnston County: Abstracts of Deeds 1759-1825, Print, vol. 1 (Elizabeth E. Ross, 1993), p. 45.
12. ↑ Elizabeth E. Ross and Zelda B. Wood, eds., Kinfolks of Johnston County: Abstracts of Deeds 1759-1825, Print, vol. 1 (Elizabeth E. Ross, 1993), p. 48.
13. ↑ Elizabeth E. Ross and Zelda B. Wood, eds., Kinfolks of Johnston County: Abstracts of Deeds 1759-1825, Print, vol. 1 (Elizabeth E. Ross, 1993), p. 50.
14. ↑ Elizabeth E. Ross and Zelda B. Wood, eds., Kinfolks of Johnston County: Abstracts of Deeds 1759-1825, Print, vol. 1 (Elizabeth E. Ross, 1993), p. 51.
15. ↑ Elizabeth E. Ross and Zelda B. Wood, eds., Kinfolks of Johnston County: Abstracts of Deeds 1759-1825, Print, vol. 1 (Elizabeth E. Ross, 1993), p. 51.
16. ↑ Land Grant 173
17. ↑ Image of Land Grant 173
18. ↑ Land Grant File #1169
19. ↑ Image of Land Grant File #1169
20. ↑ Land Grant 846
21. ↑ Image of Land Grant 846
22. ↑ Land Grant 927
23. ↑ Image of Land Grant 927
24. ↑ Handwritten Will Wills, 1797-1910; Author: Tennessee County Court (Hawkins County); Probate Place: Hawkins, Tennessee