William Lee (Immigrant)
M, #21033, d. 1713
| Source | Source(s): Rees(e)-Lee and Allied Families of PA & MD by Daskam, 1947 Washington DC, volume 2. (SLC 1572056 #9) pg 156. This book indicates this couple as "possible parents" for Ralph Lee of Bucks Co PA. We know they are parents of William, but the names of other children are not proven. | |
| Story* | All of the below is per the Rees(e)-Lee book cited above: The first of this family in America may have been William Lee of Maidenhead, West Jersey and his wife Hannah (_____) who first settled opposite Mattinicunk Island where Burlington now stands. In his will he calls himself "William Lee of Maidenhead" which is now Lawrenceville NJ. Per the "History of Bucks Co. PA" by Davis v.1 p.19-20 "Friends from London and others from Yorkshire settled Burlington NJ. In laying out the town, the main street, running back from the river, was made the dividing line between the companies, the Yorkshire men being on the East and the Londoners on the West side. The Martha Of Hull arrived 15 Oct 1677, in which came a number of passengers who settled in the Yorkshire purchase". Among these was a William Ley, who may have been William Lee of Burlington and Maidenhead. The American Genealogist of Oct 1941 contains an article by Walter Lee Sheppard Jr, entitled "Two Williams Lees of Burlington NJ" from which the following excerpts have been taken: "On 15 Jan 1678/9, Godfrey Newbold of Handworth Woodhouse in the parish of Handsworth, Co. York, England, yeoman, deeded to William of Burlington, West Jersey, his servent, 40 acres to be surveyed out of land assigned to him in W.J. (recorded May Day 1681). From this record we may read between the lines as follows: - William Lee was born and baptised at or near Handsworth. He became steward to the estates of Mr Newbold, and when Mr Newbold received his grant of land in the New World, William was sent out to manage it. Mr Newbold apparently gave his these 40 acres as in in lieu of, wages. He apparently never came to America himself, as we find frequent sales of parts of his property, all refering to him as resident in England." On 4 Sep 1681, William Lee took advantage of the above deed and surveyed out 40 acres on the Delaware 'at the head of Matinicunk Island, at the mouth of a small creek' (Revel's Book of Surveys). Then on 10 Aug 1683, we find a record of the sale of 40 acres (probably the above) by William Lee to Richard Guy of Elsingburgh, West Jersey, yeoman. This deed calls him William Lee 'carpenter of Burlington'. In his will dated 'ye 26 of October 1713', probated 13 Nov 1713, William Lee'"of Madenhead' names his wife Hannah and four children, all under age, the eldest, William, being the only one named. These early Lees were probably not Quakers, as William Jr did not join the Society of Friends until 1737, at least eight years after his marriage; Ralph seems never to have joined, and Ralph's second son, William Lee, carpenter, not until he was 24. Ralph Lee of Bucks Co PA may have been brother to William Lee of Maidenhead, but because of his close association with William Jr, it it presumed he was the son of William Lee Sr. | |
| Birth* | At possibly Handsworth, Yorkshire, England. | |
| Marriage* | He married Hannah (__________). | |
| Will | October 1713 | William Lee (Immigrant) left a will October 1713 mentions his wife & 4 minor children, the eldest, William, being the only one named. |
| Death* | 1713 | He died in 1713 at Maidenhead (now Lawrenceville), Burlington Co., New Jersey, __ Oct 1713 or __ Nov 1713. |
Family | Hannah (__________) d. a Oct 1713 | |
| Children | 1. | Ralph Lee |
| 2. | (__________) Lee | |
| 3. | John Lee | |
| 4. | William Lee+ |
| Last Edited | 31 Mar 2008 |
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