The Devon FHS WWWBoard

William Lee bn approx 1768

Posted by Lesley Lee on 7/8/2021, 8:03 pm

I am lost amongst the numerous Lee families of this time living in Honiton and the surrounding area. I am searching for the correct William Lee bn sometime between 1767-71. He married in Honiton in 1794 to Elizabeth Tozer and in the 1841c was living in the Carpenters Arms yard, a pub run was run by their son William bn 1797. I cannot find William Snr's parents or place of birth. I have put together family groups for the many Lee's in the town at this time but cannot fit him in. He died in 1843 aged 76yrs and is said to be a "retired Innkeeper"
I feel sure that these families are connected but as yet have not been able to find that connection.
Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Re: William Lee bn approx 1768

Posted by Helen on 2/12/2021, 11:41 am, in reply to "William Lee bn approx 1768"

Hello Lesley Am wondering how you have got on with your research. I too am looking at the various William Lee families in Honiton. I think I am a direct descendant of William Lee the Builder/ Surveyor (who built St Pauls). I have had some help from the Museum and have downloaded wills and tithe maps but there seems to be 3 William Lees roughly same age all married to Elizabeths. Would be happy to share any info.

Re: William Lee bn approx 1768

Posted by Sally Topliss on 9/8/2021, 11:38 am, in reply to "William Lee bn approx 1768"

On the marriage of your William to Elizabeth, there is a witness named Mary Lee. There is a William and and a Mary born to Charles and Betty Lee in Gittisham. William bapt.23.05.1765. Mary 02.07.1775.
There is also another William bapt. in Gittisham, on 17.11.1765, parents William and Elizabeth.
Sally

Re: William Lee bn approx 1768

Posted by Judith on 9/8/2021, 10:45 am, in reply to "William Lee bn approx 1768"

I would say he was born in 1766/7 approx. Have you looked at Southleigh, or Gittisham? both parishes not on i.g.i. last time i looked.
Also look for licencees of the carpenters arms, might be that his father was also there before him.
Good luck.

Re: William Lee bn approx 1768

Posted by Judith on 9/8/2021, 11:19 am, in reply to "Re: William Lee bn approx 1768"

there is a Lee's farm at Southleigh.
Have you looked for the birth of Elizabeth? there is a baptism at Sandford for a betty tozer da of John and Mary in 1770, and same parish a William Lee baptised 1765 son of William and Joan.
Were there any other children of William and Elizabeth? perhaps named after grandparents?
Look at the east Devon Tithe maps, for Southleigh and Widworthy, and see if the Lee name is there, and if they coould be connected.
Good luck

Re: William Lee bn approx 1768

Posted by Judith on 9/8/2021, 2:29 pm, in reply to "Re: William Lee bn approx 1768"

Looked on the east devon tithe maps for Honiton, and it appears that William Lee owned the pub, the carpenters Arms, (Think it was on the junction of Dowell Street and the High Street). What is interesting is that there is a note, to say attached to the ffoeffes of honiton in connection with John lee decd. I looked up John lee and there is a will which names his wife Isabella Mary, and his brother William Lee. It would appear that John and Isabella were married in 1830 Honiton, and a son John born 1831 , mentioned in the will. Given that the tithe maps were issued in 1839, paperwork started before then so am thinking that this John lee is brother of your William.
There is a "tree" on Ancestry, but it is wrong, they have cobbled together various bits, but given that the will was proved in 1835, he could not have been on the later census in Braunton, which is miles away.
There is also another John lee, who was married to Amy, he must have died in 1822, after making his will in 1821, she owned quite a lot of property, numbers 160-169,
William Lee owned Carpenters arms number 189 on the tithe map.
Would suggest you study the apportionments list for Honiton, look for the numbers I have provided and read the info, the owners are listed alphabetically. Could be that the John who died in 1822 was the father of both, but you need to find his marriage to Amy to establish that.
Only one Lee in Southleigh, and he was born in Farway.
suggest you draw a circle around Honiton and "do the little places too, Sidbury, Offwell Gittisham, all not far away.
Hope this makes sense! Best wishes

Re: William Lee bn approx 1768

Posted by Judith on 9/8/2021, 4:10 pm, in reply to "Re: William Lee bn approx 1768"

Now think that your william was brother of John who married Amy Cox, and it might be him referred to on the tithe map, as the other John was son of John and Amy. Will of John Senior mentions his brother William.
Amy mentions her sister Susannah Cox a spinster,in her will, who is administrator of the will. Think John and amy could have been married at Gittisham.
Hope this helps to narrow things down a bit.
Susan Cox single listed 1851 as a farmer at Heathfield, on census, (now an industrial Estate)

Re: William Lee bn approx 1768

Posted by Judith on 10/8/2021, 7:36 am, in reply to "Re: William Lee bn approx 1768"

The Carpenters Arms later became The Globe Inn. There is a picture of it on the Francis frith site of old photos. If you google Honiton High street on the maps page the building it is now an accountants. Right on the junction with Dowell Street, the original door at an angle with the corner is still there.

« Back to index

[ The Devon FHS WWWBoard ]