Francis Lee, Sr.
Abt 1749 - 1815 (~ 66 years)
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Name Francis Lee [1, 2, 3, 4] Suffix Sr. Born Abt 1749 Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland 
[1, 5, 6, 7, 8] Gender Male Arrival Abt 1771 Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA Occupation Between 1771 and 1786 Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA tavern keeper (the Indian Queen and the Black Horse.) Died 30 Apr 1815 East Whiteland Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA [7] Buried May 1815 Malvern, Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA - Great Valley Presbyterian Churchyard
Death 30 Apr 1816 Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA [9] Age: 66 Person ID I7019 obenlandGenealogy Last Modified 9 Aug 2018
Father William Lee, b. 5 Jul 1718, Shankill, County Armagh, Northern Ireland , d. Between 1749 and 1815, Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland (Age 30 years) Relationship natural Mother Margaret McCan, b. Abt 1722, Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland , d. Jun 1753, County Antrim, Northern Ireland (Age ~ 31 years) Relationship natural Married Abt 1741 Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland [7, 10] Alternate Date of Marriage 20 Jul 1745 [7] Family ID F2792 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family 1 Jane Alexander, b. Abt 1750, Northern Ireland , d. Abt 1785, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA (Age ~ 35 years) Married 21 Nov 1770 [1, 7] Children 1. James Alexander Lee, b. 4 Sep 1771, Pennsylvania, USA , d. 18 Aug 1820, New Orleans, Orleans County, Louisiana, USA (Age 48 years) [natural]2. Thomas Lee, b. 28 Nov 1780, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA , d. 2 Nov 1855, Maurice River Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey, USA (Age 74 years) [natural]3. William B Lee, b. 30 May 1773, d. 29 Sep 1773, Pennsylvania, USA (Age 0 years) [natural]4. Francis Lee, Jr., b. 26 Oct 1774, d. 1803, Maurice River Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey, USA (Age 28 years) [natural]5. William J Lee, b. 27 Sep 1776, d. 7 Jan 1778 (Age 1 years) [natural] 6. George Lee, b. 21 Sep 1778, d. 1798 (Age 19 years) [natural] 7. John Lee, b. 28 Nov 1779, d. 1780 (Age 0 years) [natural] 8. Jane Lee, b. 30 Nov 1781 [natural] 9. Margaret Lee, b. 10 Oct 1782, d. 17 May 1783 (Age 0 years) [natural] 10. Hannah Lee, b. 10 Sep 1783, Pennsylvania, USA , d. 25 Sep 1783, Pennsylvania, USA (Age 0 years) [natural]11. Eleanor Lee, b. 15 Sep 1784, Pennsylvania, USA , d. 25 Mar 1820 (Age 35 years) [natural]Last Modified 9 Aug 2018 Family ID F2699 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family 2 Elizabeth Bache Alternate Date of Marriage 16 Dec 1790 [7] Marriage License 16 Dec 1790 Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA Married 17 Dec 1790 Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA [11] Last Modified 9 Aug 2018 Family ID F2786 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family 3 Margaretta Cloyd, b. 12 Aug 1771, d. 4 Jul 1805, Pennsylvania, USA (Age 33 years) Married 18 Nov 1793 [7, 12, 13] Children 1. David Cloyd Lee, b. 15 Jul 1795, d. 11 Mar 1872, Pennsylvania, USA (Age 76 years) [natural]2. Ann Boyd Lee, b. 8 Apr 1797, d. 22 Apr 1797 (Age 0 years) [natural] 3. Alfred Gemmill Lee, b. 21 Jul 1800 [natural] 4. Mary Lee, b. 19 Nov 1798, d. 26 Oct 1881 (Age 82 years) [natural] 5. Francis Lee, Jr., b. 13 Apr 1802, Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA , d. 19 Jan 1859, St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA (Age 56 years) [natural]Last Modified 9 Aug 2018 Family ID F2787 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family 4 Eilzabeth Cloyd, b. 23 Apr 1760, d. 23 Aug 1818 (Age 58 years) Married Abt 1806 [12] Last Modified 9 Aug 2018 Family ID F2788 Group Sheet | Family Chart
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Notes - Francis was born in or about 1749 in County Antrim, Ireland.
On November 21, 1770, Francis married Miss Jane Alexander. Sometime after their marriage, the Lees emigrated to the United States. There is a Francis Lee who arrived in Philadelphia in 1771. Whether this is our Francis is unclear. The timing of this arrival fits, as the first mention of Francis is in 1774 when he paid a 4 pound tax in Philadelphia. He was also an innkeeper in Philadelphia. The "Indian Queen" was located at the corner of Fourth and Market Streets.
Francis Lee was a Private in the 1st Battalion Pennsylvania Militia under Captain Tench Francis. In 1781, Francis was involved in moving French gold from Boston to Philadelphia. The gold was for use by the Whigs.
Francis ran the inn until about 1787, when he moved to land he had purchased in Chester County.
Francis and Jane had 11 children: James Alexander, William B., Francis, William J., George, John, Thomas, Jane, Margaret, Hannah and Eleanor.
In about 1785, Francis' wife, Jane, died. He then married Elizabeth Bache. The wedding took place in the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia on December 16, 1790. He later married Margaretta (or Margaret) Cloyd. She was the daughter of David Cloyd. They had five children: David Cloyd, Ann, Alfred, Mary and Francis.
Francis' last wife was Elizabeth Cloyd. It's unclear how Elizabeth and Margaretta were related, if at all. Francis and Elizabeth had no children.
In the 1930's, Dr. Albert Gerberich complied a book of cemetery inscriptions in Pennsylvania. This was "Lancaster County, PA Cemetery Inscriptions." The name is deceiving, as it included other counties besides Lancaster. The listing for Francis Lee, Esq. (page 203) buried in Great Valley Presbyterian Church Cemetery, states that he died in his 66th year on April 30, 1816. This must be a mistake, as his will was proved on May 9, 1815. It's possible that Dr. Gerberich transcribed the stone incorrectly. It was over 100 years old at the time, so the "5" might have looked like a "6."
Francis Lee's will was written on April 29, 1815; the witnesses being John Attkins and William Tredwick. As stated before, it was proved on May 9, 1815. His executors were his good friends, Rev. William Latta and Thomas Bodley.
The will begins, "In the name of God Amen I Francis Lee of East Whiteland Township, Chester County and state of Pennsylvania, being weak and sick in body but of sound disposing mind & memory (blessed be Almighty God for the same.) do make this my Last Will in manner and form following, to wit..."
He gave his beloved wife, Elizabeth one third of his personal estate and one third of the yearly income or proffits (sic) of all of his real estate during her natural life. He also left Elizabeth a horse and gig. (a small carriage.)
His son Thomas received 400 pounds; to son Francis he gave his gold watch and to son Alfred, $20 to purchase a silver watch.
Francis left his daughter Mary all of his silver plate. To his "much respected friend, Mrs. Mary Latta, wife of the Reverend William Latta," he gave one hundred dollars.
He stated, "I do order if anything should happen or arise that would require any aid in my family, during my son Francis's minority, I impower my Executors to settle all disputes that may arise among them."
and, "I order all my real estate and all my personal property that will be and remain, to be kept and remain unsold until my youngest son Francis, arrive to the age of twenty one years and the proffits (sic) arising there from to be appropriated to schooling and supporting my younger children, that are at home with me (and my beloved wife) they, my said wife and children, afformentioned (sic) to have the whole of the proffits (sic) arising from all my estate until he the said Francis, arrives to the age of twenty one years.
It is my will and I do order and direct that when my said son arrives to that afforsaid (sic) age, that each of my surviving children shall nominate and appoint (each one of them) one reputable citizen, and when appointed they said citizens to value and appraise my Plantation, whereon I now live in East Whiteland Township. I give and devise it to my son David, to his heirs and assigns forever if he choses to keep it and said valuation. The said David, to have one equal share of the said value and each of my other children, to have share and share alike with him in the value thereof, to be equal (sic) divided among them."
The rest of his personal and real estate to be equally divided among his surviving children, or their legal representatives. Once again, Francis uses the phrase, "share and share alike."
Francis's will was registered in Book M, Page 135 in Chester County, Pennsylvania, Number 6173.
Funeral expenses paid out of the estate included $2.50 to Cornelius Dempsy for digging the grave, $30 to W.H. Brown for the coffin, and $29.51 to Jurdelle V. Hooker for the grave stone.
The inventory of Francis's estate was filed on June 9, 1815.
It was an extensive list, one befitting a man with a large home and farm. Included were 5 looking glasses (mirrors), numerous tables and chairs, bedsteads, glassware and silver.
There were many farm animals and implements listed, including several horses, 14 swine, (worth $97), sheep, 2 hives and bees ($4), wheat in the ground ($130), rye in the ground ($128.50), and a pair of hobbles (75 cents).
Of interest to me was an "encyclopedy" valued at $30. Francis also owned 12 shares in the Philadelphia Bank, valued at $1,200. It looks as if his total estate was valued at $6,859.24. According to the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, that would be about $85,000 in today's money. Another site said the estimate would be closer to $105,000.
Francis Lee was buried in Great Valley Presbyterian Church Cemetery in May, 1815.
- Francis was born in or about 1749 in County Antrim, Ireland.
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Sources - [S5386] The Samuel Lee Family History and Genealogy, Samuel Lee Family Organization, (Name: Samuel Lee Family Organization; Location: Provo, UT; Date: 1989;), page 156; Accessed 18 May 2018.
Record for Francis Lee and family - [S5386] The Samuel Lee Family History and Genealogy, Samuel Lee Family Organization, (Name: Samuel Lee Family Organization; Location: Provo, UT; Date: 1989;), page 152; accessed 18 May 2018. Original source: Burial record of Carrickfergus Church Yard, Antrim, Ireland.
Record for Francis Lee - [S2018] Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985, Ancestry.com, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2011;), Historical Society of Pennsylvania; Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records.
Record for Francis Lee Esq
Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985 - Francis Lee - [S5367] U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970, Ancestry.com, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Lehi, UT, USA; Date: 2016;), Presbyterian Historical Society; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1907; Book Title: Register_Baptisms, Births, Marriages_1754-1806; Accession Number: V F MI46 P477rr v.2.
Record for James-Alexander LeeUS, Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970 - James Alexander Lee - [S2018] Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985, Ancestry.com, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2011;), Historical Society of Pennsylvania; Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records.
Record for Francis Lee EsqPennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985 - Francis Lee - [S2018] Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985, Ancestry.com, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2011;), Historical Society of Pennsylvania; Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records.
Record for Francis Lee EsqPennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985 - Francis Lee - [S5386] The Samuel Lee Family History and Genealogy, Samuel Lee Family Organization, (Name: Samuel Lee Family Organization; Location: Provo, UT; Date: 1989;), page 152; accessed 18 May 2018. Original source: Burial record of Carrickfergus Church Yard, Antrim, Ireland.
- [S2018] Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985, Ancestry.com, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2011;), Historical Society of Pennsylvania; Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records.
Record for Francis Lee EsqPennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985 - Francis Lee - [S2018] Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985, Ancestry.com, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2011;), Historical Society of Pennsylvania; Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records.
Record for Francis Lee EsqPennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985 - Francis Lee - [S5386] The Samuel Lee Family History and Genealogy, Samuel Lee Family Organization, (Name: Samuel Lee Family Organization; Location: Provo, UT; Date: 1989;), page 151, accessed 18 May 2018. Original source: Correspondence: PRO Belfast, NO. Ireland MIC 1/24, Parish Record of Shankill (Diocese Dromore), Co. Armagh, Ireland. William Stewart, 2nd C. in No Ireland Dist. Irish, (LDS) Mission is our Researcher in Belfast, 1972. (Initialed by G.W. L 3 June 1978).
- [S2173] Francis Lee and Elizabeth Unknown Marriage Announcement, The Pennsylvania Mercury, (Name: D. Humphrey; Location: Philadelphia, PA; Date: 24 Dec 1790;), page 3, column 3, accessed 30 Mar 2012.
- [S2174] Genealogy of the Cloyd, Basye and Tapp Families In America, A. D. Cloyd, M.D., (Location: Omaha, NE; Date: 1912;), pages 15-56; accessed 20 Aug 2014.
- [S5386] The Samuel Lee Family History and Genealogy, Samuel Lee Family Organization, (Name: Samuel Lee Family Organization; Location: Provo, UT; Date: 1989;), page 157; accessed 18 May 2018.
Record for Francis Lee and family
- [S5386] The Samuel Lee Family History and Genealogy, Samuel Lee Family Organization, (Name: Samuel Lee Family Organization; Location: Provo, UT; Date: 1989;), page 156; Accessed 18 May 2018.