BIOGRAPHY OF BURWELL LEE, SR. AND HIS DESCENDANTS

Written by Molly Shumate (OurFamilyHistory@hotmail.com)

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As I start this biography, I cannot help but think of the terrible things that occurred during the Civil War and the deplorable conditions that affected the families as well as the land. I knew little about this war before undertaking this family history nor much of the underlying issues that caused this war. To me, it has been a real awakening! This is my husband’s family and herein lies some very sad but interesting stories - a way of life that was beginning to end. I have concentrated on Major Burwell Lee and his descendants but other members of the extended Lee families also suffered hardships. It is also interesting to note that all of the Union and Confederate Generals mentioned below all graduated from West Point as well as Confederate President Jefferson Davis.
The Confederate States of America was formed on February 9, 1861, with Jefferson Davis named as President . On April 12, 1861, the Confederates under General Pierre Beauregard opened fire at 4:30AM on Ft. Sumter in Charleston, SC, and the war began. The State of Virginia seceded from the Union on April 17, 1861.
On June 19, 1862, Congress enacted a measure prohibiting slavery in the United States territories and on January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation proclaiming that all “slaves within any State, or designated part of a State….then…in rebellion… shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free”. The War raged on.........
The tide of war turned against the South at the Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, which occurred on July 1-3, 1863, when the Confederates were defeated. On May 4, 1864, the Union began a massive campaign involving all the Union Armies. In Virginia, Grant with an Army of 120,000 began advancing toward Richmond to engage Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. In the west, Sherman, with 100,000 men began his advance toward Atlanta to engage Joseph E. Johnston's 60,000 strong Army of Tennessee.
On April 9, 1865, General Robert E. Lee surrendered his Confederate Army to General Ulysses S. Grant at the village of Appomattox Court House in Virginia. Grant allowed the Confederate officers to keep their sidearms and permitted the soldiers to keep their horses and mules. Lee is quoted as saying to his troops - "After four years of arduous service marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources." Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston was originally the Brigadier General in charge of the Army of Northern Virginia and he took command of the Army of TN when that command was passed to General Robert E. Lee. General Joseph E. Johnston surrendered on April 18, 1865 to General Sherman near Durham, NC. Terms of this surrender were the same as General Grant had given to General Robert E Lee. In May 1865, the remaining Confederate forces surrendered. The Civil War ended and the Nation was once again reunited. Over 620,000 Americans died in the war. Disease killed twice as many as those killed in battle and 50,000 survivors returned home as amputees. It is interesting to note that General Johnston died in 1891 from complications of a cold caught while serving as a pallbearer at the funeral of General Sherman.
Maude Clement, in her book "History of Pittsylvania Co., VA" says "When the war came to a disastrous close at Appomattox in April, 1865, the sad condition of Virginia is officially described in the Code of Virginia: "No people ever suffered greater losses by the termination of the war than the people of Virginia. At one blow their entire slave population was emancipated, their value entirely lost, and their accustomed labor instantly stopped, the circulating medium (money) State and Confederate was rendered worthless, no Federal money in circulation; houses, homes, fences, mills, given to flame, lands impoverished, and having no money value, and they themselves entirely powerless to purchase, and for want of buyers equally powerless to sell...The men of Pittsylvania set about the task of rebuilding their lives and their country, and though the outlook was dark, they faced the undertaking with a strong courage. Out of the destruction and wreckage of the Old South they brought order; and with no outside aid, by their own efforts, they laid the foundations on which we have built our prosperous commonwealth today."
With the hardships that followed the Civil War, we find that some of the descendants of Major Burwell Lee were sold for a sack of flour, some chickens, etc., by the relatives that promised to care for them.
This biography is just one story on this family………..
MAJOR BURWELL LEE, SR.
Eldest son of John Lee and Susannah Guthrey
1766-1825
John Lee, Sr., son of Charles Lee and Ann Dabbs of Cumberland Co., VA, removed from Cumberland Co., VA, to Campbell Co., VA, and, among other interests, founded the Town of Leesville, VA. John married 1) Susannah, surname believed to be Guthrey because all records point that direction but no record of his marriage has been found. He married 2)Frances, surname believed to be Early. Again, no record of this marriage has been found either and no definitive proof that Guthrey and Early were indeed surnames of John's wives.
John left the most of his estate to his eldest son, Maj. Burwell Lee, Sr. In John’s LWT, he says “ I give to son Burwell Lee the land and plantation whereon I now live lying and being in the County of Campbell and lying on the north side of Goose Creek and Staunton River it being part of the tract of land I purchased from Jacobus Early with the following exceptions to wit that part called Darby's field lying in the north side of Goose Creek at Darby's Ford and adjoining the lands of Jesse Leftwich and others and one hundred and twenty eight acres taken off said tract for the town of Leesville at the junction of Goose Creek and Staunton River which leave a balance of two hundred and forty six acres, I also give my son Burwell Lee the tract of land I purchased of Robert Owen adjoining the land I now live on and above named lying on the east side of the same containing one hundred and thirty five and a half acres and deeded to me by said Owen, also two negro men named Daniel and Garnett with other necessaries I have heretofore given towards housekeeping upon his complying with some other items hereafter named . . ."
John also says in his LWT "I further desire and direct in consequence of my giving to my son Burwell Lee the negro man Daniel that he may be with his wife and children that my said son Burwell Lee pay four hundred dollars towards raising the twelve hundred dollars for my daughter Sophia." Although slavery was wrong, the Lee family did try to keep the slave families together. He also gives “ to my son Burwell Lee all the town of Leesville on the west side of the Third Broad Street from Goose Creek to him and his heirs forever, excepting the land adjoining the mill seat half of which 2 acres with mill seat, I reserve for my estate and allotted for common mill. . . I appoint my son Burwell Lee and my son-in-law Robt Clark and my son-in-law James Lancaster and my son- in-law John Arnold, executors . . . . s/John Lee”
According to land records, Major Burwell, Sr., owned, at one time, almost 1000 acres in Bedford and Campbell Counties, VA. I do not know exactly how many slaves he owned at one time but the division of his estate show he owned 18 at that time. Burwell Lee, Sr. married Rebecca Nancy (Ann) Arnold daughter of Moses and Elizabeth Arnold of Cumberland Co., VA. Burwell Lee served in the War of 1812. His obituaries give small detail about his life. Nancy (Ann) Arnold, wife of Major Burwell Lee, Sr. was great-granddaughter of William and Elizabeth Arnold of Cumberland Co., VA, and I would like to include some background regarding her ancestry which is included in the Addenda of this biography.
Major Burwell Lee, Sr., and Nancy (Ann) Arnold had the following children:
1. Captain Burwell Lee, Jr. m. 1)Matilda Arnold 2)Elizabeth Purcell 3)Mildred Dillard Doyle
2. Susannah G. Lee m. Beverly Arnold and remained in Campbell Co., VA.
3. Ann Lee married John Anderson - no further information
4. Permelia G. Lee did not marry. She died in Pittsylvania Co., VA.
5. Tabitha Lee did not marry. She died in Pittsylvania Co., VA.
6. Jane Lee married Caleb Witt and they are show on the 1840 Randolph Co., MO census.
7. Martha Lee married James Anthony - She may be the Martha, widow on the Patrick Co. census.
8. William A. Lee married Mildred Brooks and moved to Amherst Co., VA, about 1860.
9. Doshia A. Lee married Isaac Wilson and they are shown on the 1850 Morgan Co., KY, census.

THE NEXT GENERATION
Burwell Lee, Jr., and his children
Son of Major Burwell Lee and Nancy (Ann) Arnold
CAPTAIN BURWELL LEE, JR., son of Major Burwell Lee and Ann Arnold, was born 1800 and died 1872 Pittsylvania Co., VA. He married first, Matilda Arnold, who was his first cousin, and daughter of John Arnold and Patsy Lee. Matilda died 15 March 1843 and left Burwell with 7 children to raise. Matilda's obituary was published 4 April 1843 in the "Lynchburg Virginian". Burwell quickly married secondly, Elizabeth Purcell, daughter of Thomas Purcell and Lucy Brown, on 27 November 1843. Thirdly, he married the widow, Mildred (Dillard) Doyle on 12 October 1857. Burwell was an honored man in his community. He had established himself and was doing very well until the Civil War. He donated land for the Leesville Methodist church as well as land for erection of a school in the Town of Leesville, VA.. It appears that Burwell Lee, Jr. and family were living with the elders Lees or on their property in Campbell Co., VA, until about 1853. Capt. Lee was a Justice of the Peace for Campbell Co., VA.

On 18 November 1853, Burwell purchased 115 acres in Pittsylvania Co., VA, from the Walden family and then on 23 November 1853, Burwell purchased an additional 270 acres on the Staunton River from Richard H. Wal[d]ton, et al. From a manuscript by Thelma Howell Bennett dated 1983 - "Grandfather Lee built his home in 1859 on land received from his father, (Burwell Lee, Jr.) and located in Pittsylvania County across the river from Leesville, VA. It was a one and one-half story, L-shaped clapboard house with four bedrooms, kitchen and dining room. A picket fence surrounded the vegetable garden, and hollyhocks and roses grew in profusion around the yard. There were some large Osage orange trees and walnut trees at the back of the house. There was also a large orchard of apples, pears, and plums.” This home overlooked the Staunton River.
The 1860 Castle Craig census shows Burwell with real estate valued at $4000.00 and a personal estate valued at $24500.00 and, herein, starts the real downturn in the family wealth and increased hardships that came to them as a result of the Emancipation Proclamation.

After the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, life for Burwell Lee, Jr., and his family just began to get worse. The land was worn out, the cheap labor was gone, and their Confederate money was useless. Gentleman planters had to learn how to survive on their own now and many had large families.
On 23 January 1863, Burwell and his third wife, Mildred sold 121 acres on Main Road to Lynchburg near Pannill‘s stables for $1334.95 to Morton Pannill. Also on this same date, they sell to Abner Anthony, Jr. 332 acres Plumbtree Branch adjoining the main Lynchburg for $3665.05. One month later, Burwell and Mildred sell an additional 133 acres to Walter Nagle for $600 on waters of Ralph Branch. Their 1/5 interest in the lands of Dr. Lynch Dillard consisting of 200 acres was also sold to John W. Motley on 22 December 1864. Burwell has now sold 453 acres of land in order to raise some cash.
In order to raise more cash, Burwell sold to son to Jeremiah A. Lee of Pittsylvania Co. on 12 December 1866 recorded 26 December 1866 - 200 acres - $1500 - tract of land lying and being in the County and State aforesaid upon the waters of Staunton River and the waters of Jaspers Creek… containing about 200 acres be the same more or less to have . . ." s/Burwell Lee. (Note Jeremiah, in turn sells this land on 11 August 1884 recorded 8 September 1844 to brother Robert A. Lee for $500.00 - who in turns sold it on 31 August 1884 to Griffin Dobyns for $1000.00.) He then sold another 186 acres to son Robert A. Lee on waters of Staunton River on 1 January 1866. (Note Burwell has now sold a total of 839 acres.)
As things began to be increasingly difficult, Burwell Lee on 26 May 1869 signed a Deed of Trust, with son Robert A. Lee as trustee to Virginia T. Lee, Lucy E. Lee, Eli Parker, Pannill and Franklin and Jeremiah A. Lee. This deed shows that Burwell, as guardian, owed Lucy $1250 since 1858; Eli Parker $100 since 1867; Pannill and Franklin $50 since 1869 and Jeremiah Lee $100 since 1869. Burwell now has put up his land containing 420 acres on Staunton River all his farm animals, plantation tools, household and kitchen furniture, crops and sorghum mill. Burwell was to remain in quiet and peacable possession of the said tract or parcell of land…until default be made. The note was due 1 April 1870. He apparently could not meet the due date of the trust and so……………… in 1870, Burwell is shown with real estate valued at $3500 and a personal estate of $700. His personal wealth has shrunk $23,800. He has little cash left now and most of his property is gone.
On 4 June 1871, Burwell, under the Homestead Law, claimed 276 acres on the waters of Staunton River and Jasper’s Creek which he assessed at the price of $6.00 per acre for a total of $1600. He also included the following articles say one old desk and bookcase one sideboard one bureau three bed and bedsteads and furniture, one gray mare, filly, all of which I value at the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars.
Captain Burwell Lee, Jr., and Martha Kerziah Arnold had the following children:
1. Angelina Catherine Lee married Washington Arnold, son of Chesley Arnold and Susannah Wesley Andrews.
2. Martha Lee appears living with her parents in 1850. No further information.
+ 3. Edward Price Lee married 1)Hardinia Duke 2)Affiah Susan Arnold
4. Julianna Lee married John A. Franklin - no further information
+ 5. Jeremiah A. Lee married Medora Lee went to Lafayette Co., MO.
+ 6. Robert Austin Lee married Martha Kerziah Arnold and remained in Pittyslvania Co., VA
7. Chestina Lee died unmarried in 1866 in Pittsylvania Co. VA.

Captain Burwell Lee, Jr., and Elizabeth Purcell had the following children:
8. Virginia T. Lee died 1875 unmarried in Pittsylvania Co., VA.
9. Alonzo H. Lee - no further information
10. Lucy E. Lee married George Austin, son of William C. and Susan L. Austin.
Angelina and Washington Arnold went to Oglethorpe Co., GA where she died soon thereafter. I have no further information on Martha or Julianna Lee. I have not been able to find anything further on his son Alonzo H. Lee, who was born about 1850 according to census records, except as Burwell writes in a letter to Mosby Arnold on 30 April 1866 - “I have my own daughter and wife to support, no son with me, one married and one single son…” His "married son" would be Robert; the other "single" son must have been Alonzo. Lucy appears on the 1900 St. Clair Co., AL, census with one child and married 25 years.
+3. EDWARD PRICE LEE, son of Burwell Lee and Matilda Arnold was born 1830 and died 1864. He was better known as “Price”. In 1850 Campbell Co., Leesville, VA, census, Price is living with his father, age and included in the household were Eliza Duke, age 19, laborer, and Hardinia Duke, age 17. He seems to have been married twice. I have found the following marriage record in Campbell Co., VA, between Edward Price Lee and Hardinia B. Duke. The form is not completely filled out but says “Date of license - 13 January 1851 - 14 January 1851 - date of marriage - Edward P. Lee and Hardinia B. Duke. Parent Sallie B. Duke. By M. E. Andrews, Methodist Episcopal Church.” Price married secondly, Affiah Susan Arnold, daughter of Rev. Mosby Arnold and Ann Dabbs Andrews on 16 September 1852 Lafayette Co., MO. The 1860 Pittsylvania Co. census shows Edward and Affiah with 4 children, living in their own home. Price is aged 32, farmer with a personal estate valued at $900. He apparently is living on the land of his father and the $900 personal estate are the slaves that Burwell gave to them at the time of their marriage.
Price enlisted in the Confederate Army on 25 March 1862 with his brother Robert Austin Lee and served with Co. I, 2nd Virginia Cavalry, Radford's Rangers, 30th Virginia Volunteers. The Muster Roll of April 1864 shows that Price had been sick since February 1, 1864 and that he died in Petersburg, VA on 14 July 1864. The Register of Effects of Deceased Soldiers turned over the quartermaster, CSA, filed 1864, was in the amount of $20.00. Affiah, his wife, while holding the youngest child, the other children waiting at the door with her, watching for Price to return, was struck by lightening and killed on July 31, 1864. The family, desperate to get word to Price, could not seem to locate him. They finally enlisted the aid of General Robert E. Lee, and it was found that Price had died Petersburg the 14th of the same month. The six young children were now six young orphans.
Captain Burwell Lee, had been supporting the children since the death of their parents in 1864. He finally, in desperation writes several to Rev. Mosby Arnold, the children's other grandfather, asking him to, to at least take three of them, because he was having such a difficult time without money or help. At this time, all Burwell had was his land, some stock, a river lot, kitchen furniture and plantations tools and was also supporting his daughter and wife, and one single son. He could not even clothe the children. It was not until 1867 that help was to arrive and the children left Lynchburg for Missouri on Thursday night, the 26th of September 1867. More is written about what happened to these children in later paragraphs.
The 1870 Pittsylvania Co. census shows Walter, age 13, Edward, age 11 and Gertrude, age 7 living with Burwell. Burwell died in 1872. I could not find Jeremiah A. Lee on the 1870 census but he is listed on the 1880 and no children are in the household. The 1870 Lafayette Co., Clay Township, PO Freedom, shows Mosby Arnold and the orphaned children Anna age 17, Mosby 15 and Eugene 10 in his household. Mosby has real estate valued at $8500 and a personal estate of $7525. Rev. Mosby Arnold died 1876 Missouri at age 86. After Burwell Lees death in 1872, those children that were living with him were sent to live with their Uncle Jeremiah A. Lee.
+5. JEREMIAH A LEE, son of Burwell Lee and Matilda Arnold was born 1833 and died 1918 Lafayette Co., MO. On the 1850 Franklin Co., VA census, Jeremiah, age 17, is living with William Pannell, merchant, and working as a clerk. In 1860, he is back living with his parents in Campbell Co., VA. By 1867, he is travelling to Lafayette Co., MO, where he married Medora C. Lee, daughter of Richard Lee and Almary Arnold. Jeremiah and Medora were first cousins, once removed. Medora Lee Lee was daughter of Richard Lee and Almary Coke Arnold, daughter of Rev. Mosby Arnold. Richard was son of John Lee and Tabitha Arnold. John was son of William and Ave Lee, Tabitha daughter of Moses Arnold, Sr. and Elizabeth of Cumberland Co., VA. Jeremiah became a professor at Western Bible and Literary College, was later named Odessa Collegiate Institute. I have not been able to find him on the 1870 census records. The 1880 Lafayette Co., MO, Odessa, Twp of Sinabar shows him age 66, married 32 years, school teacher born Virginia - Medora born Mississippi, age 54 and married 32 years with no children none living. The same holds true for the 1900 Lafayette Co., Odessa, Ward 3, census as well. NOTE This is the same uncle that Walter S. Lee, in his biography, says sold the children for three barrels of corn, a sack of flour, a hen and a lot of small chickens.
When Jeremiah died, he left a Will, and everything was left to Medora. While in prison, brother Robert A. Lee, wrote the following: “Brother Jerry, when I last heard from him was in Government briefings, he is unfit for service as you well know. He is anticipating the Ministry, as a Presbyterian.” I have no further information as to why he was considered unfit for military service.
+6. ROBERT AUSTIN LEE, SR., son of Burwell Lee and Matilda Arnold, was born 1835 and died 1918 Pittsylvania Co., VA. Matilda and Robert were second cousins. Robert was probably named for his father's good friend, Robert Austin who was one of the witnesses on the marriage bond for Burwell Lee and Matilda Arnold. He is listed living with his parents on the 1840 and 1850 Campbell Co. census records. He married Martha Kerziah Arnold, daughter of Col. Moses Arnold and Margaret D. Hopkins on 2 July 1856. Their marriage announcement was carried in the Lynchburg Virginian 8/8/1856 - MARRIED - At the residence of Col. Moses Arnold, by the Rev. M. E. Andrews on the 2nd of July, Mr. Robert A. Lee to Miss Martha K. Arnold, all of Campbell County.” One of the descendants remembers that it was told to her that Margaret Hopkins was only 12 years old when she married Moses Arnold and was still playing with dolls when she got married. Col. Moses Arnold gave permission for his daughter Martha to marry Robert. Witness to his permission was Edward S. Lee, his cousin. Moses was son of Wiatt Arnold and Keziah Penick, Margaret daughter of William Hopkins, Jr. and Mary M. Haden. Wiatt Arnold was son of Moses Arnold, Sr., and wife, Elizabeth of Cumberland Co., VA. After both of her parents died, Martha and her brother elected to have their uncle, William V. Haden act as their guardian. Robert is shown on the 1840 and 1850 census records of Campbell Co., Leesville District, VA living with his parents. By 1860, he and Martha are shown on their own living in the Castle Craig District with real estate valued at $2200.00.
In 1862, Robert felt the call to serve in the Confederate Army and, with his brother, Edward Price Lee, enlisted on March 25th, Campbell Co., VA for 3 years in the Confederate Army by J. D. Alexander. He served with Co. I, 2nd Virginia Cavalry, Radford's Rangers, 30th Virginia Volunteers. Captain P. C. W. Radford was from Bedford Co., VA. Commander of the 2nd Virginia Cavalry was General Fitzhugh Lee. This unit was part of Pickett's Division of Longstreet's Corps. Robert left his wife and child at home with several faithful slaves who had been given to them when they were married.
Robert appears on the roll of Prisoners of War at Old Capital Prison, Washington DC, 23 March 1863 and that he was committed on 21 March 1863. He had been captured by the Army of the Potomac at Kelly’s Ford, Virginia on 17 March 1863. He was released in an Trade of Prisoners on 21 March 1863. He again returned to service and on the Muster of November and December 1863 - the records show that he was absent and captured 27 June 1864 at the Battle of Gaines' Mill. He then appears on a roll of prisoners of war received at Elmira, NY, 17 July 1864 from Point Lookout, MD and that he was captured at Gaines Mills on 27 June 1864. Remarks Transferred for exchange 10 March 1865. Records show he was parolled at Elmira NY March 10, 1865 and sent to James River for exchange. Parole dated Elmira, NY 10 March 1865. Robert received a disability pension from the State of Virginia for his service during the Civil War under the Act of 1900.
The battle at Kelly's Ford, location of Robert's first capture, was located in Culpeper Co., VA and occurred on 17 March 1863. Principal commanders were Brig. Gen. William W. Averell of the Union forces and Brig. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee of the Confederate forces. A total of 3000 soldiers were involved and casualties were estimated at 200. Averell's cavalry division crossed the Rappahannock River to attack and Lee counterattacked. Union Forces withdrew in mid-afternoon. This battle set the sage for Brandy Station and cavalry actions of the Gettysburg campaign.
The battle scene on May 4, 1864, resulted in Robert's second capture. The battle encompassed the areas of Chancellorsville, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Mule Shoe, Bloody Angle, Hanover Junction, Cold Harbor, Yellow Tavern and the Gaines Mill area. In the book "A Stillness at Appomattox" p. 365, the author writes "General Jeb Stuart was in charge of three Cavalry divisions commanded by 1) Major. Gen. Wade Hampton, 2) General Fitzhugh Lee, 28 year old nephew of General Robert E. Lee and 3) Gen. W. H. F. "Rooney" Lee, his 27 year old son. It was during this time at Yellow Tavern that Jeb Stuart was killed. Near Gaines Mill, General Sheridan made a raid and there were 400 Union prisoners set free and 300 Rebels were captured".

After discharge, Robert decided to try the ministry and became a Circuit Rider for the Methodist Church. He instrumental in helping start the Motley United Methodist Church in Motley, VA. Life for Robert and his family was very difficult but they managed by hard work to keep going. The 1910 Pittsylvania Co. census shows John and Ella Scruggs and their four children living next door to them, as well as a nephew, Robert A. Walden, age 15.
On 6 April 1911, Robert and his wife M. K. Lee for $150 sold 50 acres to Ella Scruggs (their daughter) with “reservations that we the parties of the first part occupy and hold the mansion house, garden, pasture and firewood and spring during their natural life and at their death then the said Ella V. Scruggs to own the said land in her own right. s/Robert A. Lee, Sr./M. K. Lee”. On 3 August 1914, Robert and Martha, for $300, sold the land adjoining the lands of Henry C. Parker and Mrs. Ella Scruggs to John Scruggs.
The only property that Burwell Lee had remaining after the Civil War was passed on to his son, Robert, and then on to the descendants of Robert A. Lee. Much of the old Burwell Lee property is under water due to the formation of the Leesville Dam on the Staunton River. All of that property has been sold now and the old homestead has since burned down. The graveyard of Robert and Martha is now located on the property owned by the Roach family. Gravesites of Burwell Lee and Matilda, or any of his other wives, have not been found and I suspect they are under the Lake.

In a manuscript written by Thelma Howell, a granddaughter of Robert A. Lee, she says "My mother passed on to me the following incident which happened to Grandmother Lee during the war when the Union soldiers were rampaging through part of Virginia. One day when she was preparing the midday meal, suddenly several Union soldiers appeared at her kitchen door! Naturally, she was startled, but tried not to show it. She said, “How do you do, gentlemen. We are just going to have dinner (meaning her daughter, her servant, and herself).” Then adding, “It’s not much, just cornbread and beans, but you are welcome to join us.” They sat down and at some of the food, then thanked her and went on their way. A few nights later, the moon was shining and she saw five men approaching her smokehouse. She watched with fear as they stood and talked for a few minutes, then turned and left. She heard later that a neighbor’s smokehouse had been robbed that night. She often wondered if the men were the same ones she had fed, and they decided not to rob her since she had befriended them.
“Grandfather Lee lived about a year after his wife’s death, but I can only remember him in his casket with his white board against his dark suit….They sleep in peace, undisturbed by the fact that in recent years the waters of Staunton River have been harnessed by two dams - Upper one at Smith Mountain, and the Lower one at Leesville, and a beautiful lake now covers much of the land they once knew.” ..... “While Robert was busy with the ministry, Martha was busy running her household, raising six children, and attending to the needs of the sick in the community. She also made the family clothing, including tailoring suits for her husband. She had knowledge of illness and whenever someone in the neighborhood was sick they would send for Mrs. Lee, since doctors were not readily available. No matter what time - day or night - when someone needed her, she would either take her horse and buggy or ride horseback to help in whatever way she could. She served as midwife to many of her neighbors. Martha Howell tells of the story that one time Grandmother Scruggs was in labor at the same time as another woman in the neighborhood. Grandmother Lee was rushing back and forth between them and both delivered safely. When Robert A. Lee and his wife Martha became feeble, John Scruggs and Ella Lee Scruggs moved into the Lee home and helped take care of them until their deaths”.
Robert A., Martha K., John Scruggs, Ella Lee Scruggs are all at rest in the Lee Family Cemetery on the road to Leesville Dam that passes through Motley, VA.
THE ORPHANED CHILDREN OF EDWARD PRICE LEE
+1. ANNA FLORENCE LEE, daughter of Edward Price Lee and Affiah Susan Arnold, was born 19 June 1853 and died 19 August 1921 in Harrisonville, Cass Co., MO. Anna married Barry Clay Collins 13 January 1875, Lafayette Co., MO. They are shown on the 1900 and 1920 Cass Co., Grand River, census records, Anna having had eight children by 1900 and eight children were still living at that time. Her obituary also describes the lightening incident and the deaths of her parents.
+2. MOSBY ARNOLD LEE, son of Edward Price Lee and Affiah Susan Arnold, was born 28 July 1855 and died 25 November 1935 in LaJunta, CO. From the obituary of MOSBY ARNOLD LEE, published in the Lajunta, Colorado newspaper on 27 November 1935, we find "Mosby A. Lee, one of the best known citizen and stockmen in this part of the state for a long term of years....In 1880, Mr. Lee came to Colorado and settled at Trinidad where he conducted a ranch for a time. They came to Lajunta where Mr. Lee became state brand inspector".
+3. WALTER SELWYN LEE , son of Edward Price Lee and Affiah Susan Arnold was born 2 June 1857 and died after 1930 in CO or NM. Walter Lee is living with his cousin, Edwin Lee and family, listed as a student, on the 1880 Bedford Co., Otter District, VA, census. The 1900 and 1920 census records show him living in Los Animas Co., Trinidad, CO. The 1920 census shows him living with wife Mary and adopted daughter, Annabelle.
>From the biography of WALTER S. LEE, son of Price Lee and Affiah Susan Arnold, we find....... “The three Lees at Lexington went to live with Uncle J. A. Lee and his wife. It was in the month of October 1872 and they lived there all that winter. Walter recalls the charity of someone who helped the three small children on their train ride to Missouri. The children had been given a letter from the Masonic Order and at every change of trains they gave it to the conductor. When they arrived at the Potomac River near Washington, DC, the conductor who had taken the letter told them "Sit still until I come back for you." A train porter came back and took the children to a boat to cross the river because the bridge over the Potomac river had been washed out. They were then put on a train headed to Cincinnati. All they carried with them was an ol-fashioned carpet bag bound with steel around the edge in which they carried their food. They had no clothing but what was on their back. He continues and says "About daylight on the way to Cincinnati we were eating our breakfast on the train when a tall, red whiskered man came in and the conductor pointed to us. This tall man asked us about our parents. We told him both were dead. He sat down beside us. The carpet bag was open and a key in the lock of it carried a ring with the Masonic emblem. He took the key and asked who it belong to. We answered we did not know whether it was father's or not. This man then took up the carpet bag, opened the window of the train and threw the bag out. We started to cry." This man stayed with them and paid all their expenses and fixed them up for all their meals between Cincinnati and St. Louis. They had to cross the river at St. Louis and Walter says "[This man] took my sister up in his arms and my brother and I followed and when we reached the other side he put us on a bus and took us to a hotel where we stayed until the train arrived that was to take us to Lexington, MO. He also boarded this train and delivered us safely at Lexington. Then he left and we never saw him again and never learned his name. He then goes on to say........
"In the spring, along about May, this uncle must have got tired of us for he sold me to a cousin, Edwin J. Lee, for three barrels of corn, a sack of flour and a __________ . At the same time he sold my brother E. P. Lee to another cousin, Thomas Lee, for the same amount. They he traded my baby sister to an old aunt, a sister of my mother, Almary Lee, for a hen and a lot of small chickens.
I do not remember how long I lived with this man but it must have been two or three years. Then he left and went back to Virginia and I went to work for an uncle, Richard Lee, the husband of Aunt Almary. I lived and worked there about one year and then went to work on a farm for a cousin for $10 a month...... Then my brother Mosby and myself went to work for a man named Hirtly and after about a year I went back to Virginia and stayed with a cousin to whom I had earlier been sold. I then went to school at New London, Bedford Springs, VA. Three years later I left there and returned to Missouri in 1878.”
Walter later tells us that he met Frank James, brother of the outlaw Jesse James when he was working on the farm in Missouri for Ed Lee. Frank had dinner with the Lee family and Walter accompanied him out to the barn to get his horse. He asked Walter about his parents and Walter told him that they were dead and "that this man (Ed Lee) had bought me." As Frank was about to leave, he slipped Walter a five dollar bill and told him to "Keep it yourself - don't give it to the man in the house". Walter writes that he did not know who the man was until the next day he was seen at Lexington. He goes on to say that he never met Jesse James but he met Cole Younger a number of times at Lee's Summit where he visited with his aunt. He also tells that during his stay in St. Joe, he was in the house which Jesse James was killed and describes it as "a small house upon a steep bluff overlooking the Francis street depot of the railroad".
Walter's obituary which appeared in Chronicle-News, Trinidad, CO on 8 June 1930, mentions that Walter had been a resident of Trinidad for 48 years and was a former cattleman. He was employed by the state cattle inspection service. It notes that he also ranched with his brother M. A. Lee and John Taylor. And, of course, it is mentioned "Perhaps it is fitting to say he has upheld the dignity and honor of that grand old name of Lee of the LEES of Virginia".
+4. EDWARD PRICE LEE, JR., son of Edward Price Lee and Affiah Susan Arnold, was born about 1859. He is listed on the 1860 Pittsylvania Co. census, age 1, living with Burwell Lee, and the 1870 Pittsylvania census shows him living with Burwell and Mildred, age 11. Edward married a Miss Foster and adopted a daughter named Anna Belle Lee and a son Clyde Lee. He was living at 1025 Chelwood NE #131, Albuquerque, NM. Hazel Lee Garlington has told us that Edward died of spotted fever and was buried in a cemetery outside Trinidad-San Rafael Cemetery.
+5. EUGENE LESLIE LEE, REV., son of Edward Price Lee and Affiah Susan Arnold was born 12 December 1860 and died 14 January 1940 in Heron, MT. >From his biography, he describes the death of his parents. Relating the lightening incident in which he mother was killed, he says "My oldest sister has often related to me the following facts in connection with this sad event. My father had not been able to visit home for a long time. My mother had not heard word from him for about six weeks. This war was raging in and around Richmond at this time and it was almost impossible to send letters. On July 31, 1864, mother said she felt impressed that she was going to see father that day and she thought surely he must be coming home. She accordingly washed and dressed up all the children and made herself ready to meet him when he should come. She was sitting in the door waiting for him as she supposed when there came a flash of lightning from a storm which had suddenly risen, striking the house and killing her instantly. A Negro servant who was present said the only words she spoke were 'O God, my children'. It seemed almost a miracle that some of the children were not killed. Gertrude was in mother's lap and the others were standing around her.....I learned from Uncle Jerry Lee that grandfather Lee laid the case before Gen. Robt. E. Lee and he made an investigation of the matter and found that father was moved from the hospital at Richmond to Petersburg where he died of pneumonia and was buried in the Confederate burying ground only a few weeks before mother was killed by lightning. Thus she met him but not as she expected. Instead of him coming to his early home to meet her, she went to her heavenly and eternal home whither he had preceded her only a few weeks. Surely 'God moves in a mysterious way his wonders to perform'. Her last prayer 'Oh God, my children' was heard and interpreted and has been abundantly and wonderfully answered. God's eye has been over us. We have not hungered nor been homeless..... God's promise to care for the orphan has been verified in us." From the obituary of Rev. E. L. Lee we find that he began his training for the ministry at Central College, Fayette, MO, and at the close of his college career, in 1884, he went to Montana as a young minister for the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
+6. GERTRUDE LEE, daughter of Edward Price Lee and Affiah Susan Arnold, was born about 1863. The 1870 Pittsylvania County census shows her living with Captain Burwell Lee and his third wife, Mildred, age 7. She was the infant in her mother's arms when she was struck by lightning. When the other 3 children were sent to MO after the death of grandfather Burwell, Gertrude, Walter, and Edward Price Lee, Jr. were first sent to an uncle in Odessa, Jeremiah Lee. After about a year, Gertrude was taken by her Aunt Almary Lee to raise. Gertrude Lee, daughter of Eugene Leslie Lee said that her father passed on that his sister Gertrude married, moved to OK and died in childbirth at a very young age.
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ADDENDUM:
www.civilwarhome.com - West Point Graduates:
General Pierre Beauregard - Class of 1838
Jefferson Davis, lst and only President of the Confederacy - Class of 1828
General Ulysses S. Grant - Class of 1843
General Joseph E. Johnston - Class of 1829
General Fitzhugh Lee - Class of 1849
General Robert E. Lee - Class of 1829
General Tecumseh Sherman - Class of 1840
Major GEneral James Ewell Brown (JEB) Stuart - Class of 1849
Cumberland Co. Order Book 1788-1792, page 95, dated 25 May 1789, shows Burwell Lee was an Ensign in Captain Cocke's Light Co. Also, "A Guide to Virginia Militia Units in the War of 1812" by Stuart Lee Butler, shows Brigade 12, Division 1, Campbell Co., 53rd and 117th Regiments - Lt. Col. Thomas W. Cocke - July 20, 1803; Lt. Col. Alexander Austin - January 20, 1813; Maj. Burwell Lee - July 18, 1813. Campbell County Militia Units served in the Defense of Richmond and Norfolk.
Burwell Lee's Obituaries - 1) Lynchburg Daily Virginian, dated 12/1/1825 P3C4 - Major Burwell Lee died 15 Nov 1825, age 59, at his home in Campbell Co. Funeral service preached by the Rev. William Leftwich on 3rd Sunday; 2) Lynchburg Tri-Weekly - 1825 - Died on the 15th inst. at his residence, in Campbell County about the 59th year of his age, MAJ. BURWELL LEE, after a severe illness of a week - Thus he who was the only hope of his family, in a few days was called hence and left them to bemoan their irreparable loss - In his death, society has lost much. He was a man of extensive usefulness. He has filled many important offices, and in all of them has acquitted himself with becoming dignity; and a testimony of the universal regard of his acquaintances and neighbors was manifested on the day of his burial by the large number who assembled to pay him the last tribute.
WILLIAM ARNOLD, ancestor of Nancy (Ann) Arnold, was a planter and lived on Guinea Creek when that section of Virginia was part of Goochland. He received a grant of 400 acres from William Gooch on 17 March 1736 (Land Patent Book 17). The land lay on both sides of Tan Wallet Run. Appraisement of William Arnold's estate included the following slaves: Peter (man), Ban (boy), Lucy (woman), Birch (girl), Cummigiah (woman), Sarah (girl), Peggy (girl), Frank (boy), Juda (girl), Carrey (girl), Gilbert (boy), and Peter (boy child).
William Arnold's son, MOSES ARNOLD, inherited 200 acres and "the plantation whereon he and I live". MOSES ARNOLD was the grandfather of Nancy (Ann) Arnold. Moses was considered a very prominent man in Cumberland Co. owning a large plantation and many slaves. The following sources contain information regarding his military record and service to his country: Genealogical Records: Virginia Colonial Records, 1600s-1700s; Virginia Colonial Soldiers, French and Indian War, 1754-1763, p. 53 - Return of the Second Company of Rangers Commanded by Capt. John Ashby 21 Oct 1755 - Moses ARNOLD, enlisted 17 Oct, 5'8", brown complexion, age 22, Virginia, planter; Genealogical Records: Virginia Colonial Records, 1600s-1700s List of The Colonial Soldiers of Virginia, Surnames A-B, p. 18 - Moses Arnold; Va. Mag., Vol. 2, p. 153; Military Records: Virginia in the Revolution and War of 1812; Virginia Militia of the War of 1812, Vol., II, Muster Rolls, p. 452 - Moses Arnold, Private, served 6 days. Residents of Cumberland Co. prior to the establishment of the Republic in 1789 were MOSES ARNOLD, THOMAS ARNOLD, JOHN ARNOLD, AND WILLIAM ARNOLD, JR. The Cumberland Co. Inventory of Estate of MOSES ARNOLD dated 24 June 1811, included the following slaves: Wyate, Isaac, Randolph, Ben, Peter, Violet, Philes, Judah, Patients, Lucky, Ann, Frank (total of 16 slaves), 10 horses or yearlings, two oxen, fourteen bulls or cows, 36 hogs, 24 sheep, and a detailed listing of a large variety of plantation and household utensils and furniture.
MOSES and ELIZABETH ARNOLD had the following children and all are mentioned in his LWT:
1. John Arnold married Patsy Lee, daughter of John Lee and Susannah Guthrey - to Campbell Co., VA
2. Patsy Arnold - I have not found any more information on her
3. Nancy (Ann Arnold) married Burwell Lee, son of John Lee and Susannah Guthrey - to Campbell Co., VA
4. Gillea Arnold married Bird Smith - remained in Cumberland Co., VA
5. Tabitha Arnold married John Lee, son of William Lee and Ave Noel - to Campbell Co., VA
6. Wiatt Arnold married Keziah Penick - to Campbell Co., VA
7. Chesley Arnold married Susannah Wesley Andrews - to Oglethorpe Co., GA
8. Rebecca Arnold married Jacob Epperson - I have not followed this family
9. Moses Arnold, Jr., married Mary (Polly) Arthur - to Monroe Co., WV
We move now to the father of Nancy (Ann) Arnold - JOHN ARNOLD and his family. JOHN ARNOLD settled in Campbell Co., VA. A family bible was passed down to Rev. Mosby Arnold, their son, and later to his daughter, Martha Virginia Arnold and I believe that Barry Collins has the original bible at the present.
The Division of Estate of JOHN ARNOLD contained in Campbell Co., VA, Will Book 7, page 269, submitted on 14 April 1834 showed the following:
a. 1/3 of estate to widow & Slaves: Booker, Lavinia and child, Mary Jane
b. 2/3 of estate to Mosby Arnold, son & Slave: Matt
c. Willis Rucker in right of his wife Tabitha Arnold Rucker
d. William Clayton in right of his wife Susanna Arnold
e. Burwell Lee in right of his wife Matilda Arnold Lee
f. George Jones in right of his wife Sally Arnold Jones - Slave: John
g. Benjamin Brooks in right of his wife Julianna Arnold Brooks
h. Thomas Davis in right of his wife Nancy Arnold Davis
i. Betsy Brown
j. John Andrews in right of his wife Patsy Arnold
k. Beverly Arnold Slaves: Willis and Matilda
Note: Each received money and slaves.
Slaves: Neptune, Louisa, Lavinia, Isaac, Osborn, Mary Jane, Dick, Rhoda, Langhorne, Bird, Matt, Frank, Wiatt, Booker, Matilda, Juliet, Willis, John
John Arnold and Patsy Lee are buried in the Burris Lee Richardson Cemetery, Lynch Station, behind Mt. Hermon Methodist Church, Campbell Co., VA.
"The War of the Rebellion A compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, published under the direction of The Hon Daniel S. Lamont, Secretary of War shows that on 10 May 1865, Headquarters Six Army Corp, C. H. Whitteley, Assistant Adjutant General ordered "In pursuance of General Orders, No. 13, from these headquarters May 7, 1865, the following named justices of the peace are authorized and empowered, upon their qualifying themselves by taking the prescribed oath of allegiance to the United States, to resume their functions in all that related to the preservation of order and the re-establishment and maintenance of industry, and all military commanders are strictly enjoined to aid them to that end with the forces at their command whenever it may be necessary …….Ninth district, John W. Motley, BURWELL LEE, D. T. Snow…."
"THE LYNCHBURG VIRGINIAN", on April 4, 1843, published the following obituary for Matilda Lee - Matilda Lee, wife of Capt. Burwell Lee of Leesville, Campbell County, died 15 Mar 1843 age 41 years 3 months leaving 7 children. In writing obituaries, three things must be observed. First, we must confined ourselves to the truth; secondly we should do justice to the dead; and thirdly, endeavor to benefit the living under the influence of these views we have taken our seat to give notice of the demise of Mrs. Matilda Lee, wife of Capt. Burwell Lee, of Leesville, Campbell County, Va. Mrs. Lee had been in bad health for several years but had apparently improved, so much that thoughts were entertained that she would recover; but, about two months before her death, she grew worse, but did not excite serious apprehension until within a week or ten days before her death, which occurred on Wednesday morning, the 15th of March 1843 ________ aged 41 years, 3 mos. _____ religion while young, ______ we have _______________ woman; as a wife, devoted to the interests and happiness of her companion; as a mother, prudent, exemplary and affectionate, as a neighbor, perfectly unobtrusive; and it has not been the lot of many to have so few enemies. But inscrutable are the ways of providence. She has been called hence leaving to mourn her absence, one of the kindest husbands, and seven children, and we hope that the want of her counsel in the domestic circle, and her vacant seat at the table will prove a daily admonition to her family, and be sanctified to the salvation of every member, white and coloured, and that they may follow her as she followed Christ, and finally meet in the Kingdom of Heaven.
On 9 March 1850, the following deed is recorded in Campbell Co., VA - Burwell and Elizabeth, his second wife, William A., and Mildred A., to Littleberry Moon, Samuel C. Tardy, Morton Pannell, Jr., Thomas Leftwich, Abner Anthony, Jr., trustees . . . where the citizens of Town of Leesville and surrounding county . . came to be erected on the lands of said Burwell Lee and William A. Lee, near their mills in the County of Campbell, a schoolhouse or academy noting that they did agree previous to the erection of said house to make a donation of a lot of land to trustees of the Academy. A certain lot or parcel of ground situated on the West side of Third Broad Street in the Town of Leesville, estimate to contain 1/2 acre.
I have posted Wills, Deeds, etc., on the Bedford, Campbell, Franklin, Henry and Pittsylvania Counties USGENWEB county pages as well as in the USGENWEB ARCHIVES if you wish further information on these Lee and Arnold families as well as my family webpage http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/s/h/u/Molly-Shumate/index.html


Last Updated: 03.26.2020