Col. William Lea, Il

Colonel William Leigh was born 1654 in Charles City Co., VA and died Bef. 28 May 1703 in King and Queen Co., VA. Perhaps he was the son of William Lea & Catherine Ironmonger (different parents have been seen)

Married

1. Mary Green , born 1655 in probably VA; died Aft. 1703 in probably King and Queen Co., VA. She was the daughter of Charles Green and Elizabeth Iverson.

Notes for Colonel William Leigh:

From Encyclopedia of Virginia

"Leigh, William, probably a son of Francis Leigh of the council, was burgess for King and Queen county in 1696, 1697, 1698, 1699, 1700-1702, 1703-1704, and died the last year (1704). He was in 1702 colonel commanding the militia of King and Queen county, as well as judge of the vice-admiralty court of the colony."

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Research Notes

"The parents of thIs John Lea d. 1727 are not known. Also, note the substantial uncertainty with respect to the sons of John Lea and Ann Unknown Lea. Researchers are advised to proceed with extreme caution in this area as the Lea family of Virginia and North Carolina is difficult to understand. Please beware of the extensive undocumented "genealogy" that is in both print and on the Internet. Particular attention is called to the negligent work done by Albert E. Casey in his book Amite County Mississippi 1699-1890. While portions of Casey's book are helpful (especially with respect to the Lea family of Amite County, Mississippi), his description of the early Lea ancestors is believed flawed. The number of junk online family trees is too large to list. Let the researcher beware."

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This summary of Colonel Leigh's life is courtesy of Josephine Lindsay Bass and Becky Bonner on their Rootsweb site, Oct., 2003:

"Col William Lea III was the son of Wm Lea II b 1623 Charles City, VA - d bef May 1703 in K&Q co VA.... William II was the son of William Lea I b ca 1588 - d 1653 in James City Co VA. Col. William Leigh (Lea) was born in 1654 in York Co. and married Mary Green.... Col. William Lea was a very influential man.... (and) a very close friend of Virginia Governor Nicholson."
He... "was one of the founders of King and Queen County, Virginia when that county was carved out of New Kent County in 1691 (New Kent County had been made from York County in 1654). William Lea was Burgess of New Kent County in 1691. In 1692 he was a Justice in King and Queen County. He became a Burgess of King and Queen County in 1693 and held that position until his death in 1703. In 1698 he was Captain of the King and Queen militia. In 1699, he became a Col. and Commander-in-Chief and a member of the august Virginia Council. In 1702, he became the first Judge of the (High Court of the) Admiralty... of Virginia. In 1703, he was chairman of the Virginia House of Burgesses.
"...He owned extensive lands. All lands patented by him between the years 1682 and 1699 were in the Parish of St. Stephens, most of it in King and Queen County, except for a large grant in Essex County. In later years, when new counties were formed, some of his land fell into Spotsylvania and Caroline Counties. The bulk of his estate was inherited by his son John Lea (6200 acres).

(1695 May 4 - William Leigh and Joshua Story, burgesses for King & Queen County, introduced the first legislative petition to divide King & Queen County and to create a new county. The bill was passed by the House of Burgesses but was defeated by the Council, which was the upper chamber of the legislature. )

"In 1699, William Lea and Benjamin Harrison (ed.: a forefather of the Harrison presidents) were granted 3474 acres, all of which became part of the 6200 acres inherited by his son, John Lea. On May 28, 1703, Benjamin Harrison wrote the following note to Philip Ludwell, then in London: 'Col. Lea fell from his horse lately and cracked his scull and is dead. Tis said he was drunk at Parson Bookers house on the Sabbath and going home, happened to the accident.' (By a curious coincidence, King William III of England died also from a fall from his horse a year earlier, leaving his sister Anne to be the queen in 1702.)

"Col. Lea's wife's name was Mary, but we do not know what her maiden name was. Their children were:

• - John Lea (born c1677, New Kent Co., VA). He married Ann
• - William Lea (born c1682, New Kent Co., VA). He married Frances. He died in North Carolina.
• - A daugher, (born c1679) who married Valentine Ware.
• - A daughter, (born c1684) who married William Haynes.
• - There may have been other children.

"In 1705, at King and Queen County, Col. William Lea's widow, Mary Lea, with her two sons-in-law, patented two pieces of land - 600 and 200 acres apiece. Her son John Lea, on the same day patented 484 acres.

"In 1705, Lea's 6,200 acres, was inherited by his son John, who married Ann Carter (Editor: no, Ann Taylor, I have, and their son John married Ann Carter). Elizabeth, John's daughter, married Zachary Taylor and was the president's grandmother. His son, William, married Rachel Ambrose, and their daughter Sarah married George Penn, brother of John Penn, whose grandson, John Penn, signed the Declaration of Independence."

Josephine Lindsay Bass and Becky Bonner credit "William Leigh: Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, Volume I, IV--Burgesses and Other Prominent Persons" for this information. Many thanks for their posting it.

"Old New Kent County, Some Account of the Planters, Plantations, and Places in New Kent County," Vols 1 and 2, compiled and Copyrighted 1977, Malcolm Hart Harris, MD, West Point, Va., pp 400-402, has this: "The patent issued Capt. William Leigh, in August 1642 to 1000 acres of land on the north side of Charles River and Poropotank Creek, and the transportation of Mary Leigh, his wife, are the first record of this family in this area." He notes that in October 1653, his daughter Mary Belloe patents this same land, "which leaves no doubt about his heir." This is presumably the father of Col. Leigh born 1654, unless it be Francis Leigh noted elsewhere by Tyler.

" 'William Leigh lived on a branch of the York River so he hath a great river to pass before he comes to Williamsburg,' writes Va. Governor Francis Nicholson. Col. Leigh was a member of the Council of State and a great friend of the Governor.... He was appointed a Judge in the Admiralty Court in 1702, and a Governor of the College of William and Mary.... Col. Leigh and his wife had at least two sons, William and John, who inherited his estate when he died in the spring of 1703....."

The Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, vol. 1, edited by Lyon Gardner Tyler, Lewis Historical Publishing Co., NY, 1915, page 277, notes this:

"William Leigh, probably the son of Francis Leigh of the Council, was burgess for King and Queen County in 1696, 1697, 1698, 1699, 1700- 1702, 1703-1704, and died the last year (1704). He was in 1702 colonel commanding the militia of King and Queen County as well as judge of the vice-Admiralty court of the colony."

Councillor's roles evolved through the 17th Century in Virginia, becoming less "counsels to the royal governor" and more a "higher house" of the House of Burgesses in the General Assembly. They were appointed for life (but could be removed by the King). They were immensely influential and generally wealthy, adding land whenever they could to enlarge their holdings. For a good text on this evolution, see "The Old Dominion in the Seventeenth Century (A Documentary History Of Virginia, 1606-1689)" by Warren Billings, editor.

This kind note from Ann Stacy, <sam.ana@verizon.net> in October, 2003: " Pat, I happened upon your name and website while net- surfing on the lookout for more information on my Bengston/Bankston ancestors. The photos and documents you have included on the site make it truly exceptional.

"I first found your name associated with the Irvin family. Isabella Bankston Irvin was the sister of my ggggrand-mother Priscilla Bankston Mathis. Priscilla's oldest daughter, my ancestor, Isabella Mathis married J.C. Allen in Coweta County, GA in 1837 and thereafter moved to Lafayette County, AR across the state line from Cass County, TX. Your information extended your Irvin family line to Cass County which I found interesting as I have always wondered what other members of the Bankston, Irvin, Mathis families also moved to the Arklatex area. Are you personally familiar with this part of East Texas? Isabella and J.C. Allen and their daughter Martha Elizabeth all died during the Civil War. Their son William sustained wounds during the war from which he never recovered and he too died in 1870. Is it possible that Malinda Mathis who is named on the Irvin site was a sister or cousin of Isabella Mathis Allen?

"It was my pleasure to attend a church service at the Gloria Dei Church in Philadelphia in June after attending the meeting of the DVF (Descendants of Washington's Army at Valley Forge). I hope to visit the historic church again next year... then perhaps it will not be raining.

"Are you interested in becoming a member of the Jamestowne Society or are you already a member? As a descendant of Isabella Bankston Irvin you are eligible due to your descent from William Leigh of King and Queen County, Virginia, who was a member of the House of Burgesses and Judge of the Admiralty Court. Once again your website is a pleasure to visit. Ann Stacy"

With Ann's help, I was admitted to the Jamestowne Society in March, 2004.

Notes for Mary Green:

John W. Davidson, June 13, 1999, on the GenForum page of Iversons: "I have Abraham Iverson Sr w/dau Elizabeth who married Charles Green, their dau Mary Green married Wm. Lea, Their son also Wm. Lea married Francis Major. Their son James Lea married Anne Herndon, their Dau married Paul Harrelson, and were the parents of my g-g-g-g-grandfather Vincent Harrelson. Have much more info if you are interested. <jwdavids@swbell.net> John Davidson"

Children of William Leigh and Mary Green are:

• i. John Lea821,822, 822,823,824, 825, born 1677826,827; died 1729828; married Ann Taylor Abt. 1698; born 12 January 1682/83828; died 1731828.
• ii. Mary Lea828,829, born 1679830; married Valentine Ware 1688 in King and Queen Co., VA; born Abt. 1670.

Notes for Mary Lea: Cynthia Forde on her GenCircles site, notes this:

Information obtained from Genforum via Wanda Ware De Gidio....

"Valentine Ware's father-in-law, Col. William Leigh (Lea) was born in 1654 in York Co. and.... [was by] ....1703 chairman of the Virginia House of Burgesses.... Lea's 6,200 acres [in Essex County], was inherited by his son John, who married Ann Taylor.

"Elizabeth, John's daughter, married Zachary Taylor and was the president's grandmother. His son, William, married Frances Major, and their daughter Sarah married George Penn, brother of John Penn, whose grandson, John Penn, signed the Declaration of Independence. After her husband's death, Mary Leigh and her sons-in-law, Valentine Ware, and William Haines, obtained two patents in King and Queen Co. on 5/2/1705. One for 600 acres (land patent book 5, pg. 488, and book 9, pg. 657), the second 260 acres (deed K&Q 1731-1) next to Peter Ware, bought from Col. William Claybourne. On 12/4/1714, Col. William Lea“s son, William purchased 100 acres in King and Queen Co. from Thomas Ware, deceased, located next to John Madison's Mill North of the Mattapony River in St. Stephens Parish (land patent book 10, pg. 214 VA State Library).

"Valentine and Mary Leigh's son and daughter-in-law, Edward and Elizabeth Garrett, were the great great great grandparents of Lucy Ware Webb, wife of President Rutherford Birchard Hayes, and the great great grandparents of Elizabeth Ware whose husband Dr. Crawford W. Long pioneered the use of ether in his medical practice. Their son Nicholas was the great great great grandfather of Thomas Lewis Ware about whom the book '35 Days to Gettysburg, The Campaign Diaries of Two American Enemies,' by Mark Nesbitt was written. It was the daily diary entries of Thomas Ware a confederate soldier in the Northern VA army, Co. G, 15th GA Regiment of Infantry from Lincoln Co. GA (enlisted 7/14/1861), as well as the diary of a Federal soldier, written as they approached Gettysburg."

• iii. Philadelphia Lea830, born 1680830 252 iv. William Lea, born Abt. 1682 in St. Stephens Parish, New Kent Co., VA; died 10 March 1784 in Prob King and Queen Co., VA; married Frances Major 1705 in probably King and Queen Co., VA. 811. John W. Davidson, <jwdavids@swbell.net>, 1998.
• 812. Eva Ashworth, <d-l_ashw@etex.net>, Oct., 2000.
• 813. See notes under William Major, b 1657.
• 814. Donna Ginther Bogue, <donna.bogue@iname.com>, Rootsweb posting, Oct., 2003.
• 815. "Old New Kent County, Some Account of the Planters, Plantations, and Places in New Kent County," 1977, Malcolm Hart Harris.
• 816. "The Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography," vol. 1, edited by Lyon Gardner Tyler, 1915.
• 817. His birth is also given as in York County, Virginia.
• 818. Donna Ginther Bogue, <donna.bogue@iname.com>, Rootsweb posting, Oct., 2003.
• 819. John W. Davidson, <jwdavids@swbell.net>, 1998.
• 820. Eva Ashworth, <d-l_ashw@etex.net>, Oct., 2000.
• 821. Arthur Grady Hutchinson II at his web site, 2003.
• 822. James Lawler at his Rootsweb WorldConnect site, October 5, 2003.
• 823. Donna Ginther Bogue, <donna.bogue@iname.com>, Rootsweb posting, Oct., 2003.
• 824. "Old New Kent County, Some Account of the Planters, Plantations, and Places in New Kent County," 1977, Malcolm Hart Harris.
• 825. "The Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography," vol. 1, edited by Lyon Gardner Tyler, 1915.
• 826. James Lawler at his Rootsweb WorldConnect site, October 5, 2003.
• 827. Donna Ginther Bogue, <donna.bogue@iname.com>, Rootsweb posting, Oct., 2003.
• 828. James Lawler at his Rootsweb WorldConnect site, October 5, 2003.
• 829. Donna Ginther Bogue, <donna.bogue@iname.com>, Rootsweb posting, Oct., 2003 does not give Mary as a child.
• 830. James Lawler at his Rootsweb WorldConnect site, October 5, 2003 .

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William Lea - 1623

http://virginiaclays.familytreeguide.com/getperson.php?personID=I27... 35b4927abf2a29cb83efda71cd23b0

Generation No. 5

• 16. Col. William Leigh/Lea, born Abt. 1654 in Charles City, County,Virginia.; died Bef. 28 May 1703 in King and Queen County, Virginia.. Hewas the son of 32. Capt. William Lea and 33. Catherine Anne Ironmonger.He married *17. Mary Green Abt. 1675 in King and Queen County, Virginia.. 17. Mary Green, born Abt. 1655 in Probably Virginia.; died Abt. 1703 inProbably King and Queen County, Virginia.. She was the daughter of 34.Charles Green and 35. Elizabeth Iverson.

Children of Col. Leigh/Lea and Mary Green are: 8 i. Capt. John Lea, born Abt. 1677 in King and Queen County, Virginia;died Abt. 1729 in King and Queen County, Virginia; married Ann TaylorAbt. 1698 in King and Queen County, Virginia..

• ii. Elizabeth Lea, born Abt. 1679; married William Haines. iii. Mary Lea, born Abt. 1679; married Valentine Ware; born Abt. 1670. iv. Philadelphia Lea, born Abt. 1680; married William Ballard Abt.1700. v. William Leigh or Lea, born Abt. 1682 in St. Stephens Parish, NewKent County/ Essex County, Virginia.; died 10 Mar 1784 in Probably Kingand Queen County, Virginia; married Frances Major Bef. 1705 in St.Peter's Parish, New Kent County, Virginia; born 19 Nov 1688 in New KentCounty, Virginia; died Bef. 1784 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia.

Generation No. 6

• 32. Capt. William Lea, born Abt. 1623 in Lea Hall, Cheshire, England;died Abt. 1663 in King and Queen, Virginia. He was the son of 64.William Lea and 65. Mary Dawkes. He married 33. Catherine AnneIronmonger Abt. 1649 in New Kent, VA. 33. Catherine Anne Ironmonger, born Abt. 1632. She was the daughter of66. Samuel IRONMONGER and 67. Bridget Cordray.

Children of Capt. Lea and Catherine Ironmonger are: i. James Leigh/Lea, born Abt. 1649 in Mattaponi River, King and Queen,VA.

• ii. Francis Leigh/Lea, born Abt. 1651 in New Kent, VA.
• iii. Allister Leigh/Lea, born Abt. 1652 in New Kent, VA. 16 iv. Col. William Leigh/Lea, born Abt. 1654 in Charles City, County,Virginia.; died Bef. 28 May 1703 in King and Queen County, Virginia;married Mary Green Abt. 1675 in King and Queen County, Virginia..

34. Charles Green, born Abt. 1629 in Charles City, County, Virginia..He married 35. Elizabeth Iverson Abt. 1654 in Charles County, Virginia. 35. Elizabeth Iverson, born Abt. 1630 in Charles City, County,Virginia..

Child of Charles Green and Elizabeth Iverson is:

• 17 i. Mary Green, born Abt. 1655 in Probably Virginia.; died Abt. 1703in Probably King and Queen County, Virginia; married Col. WilliamLeigh/Lea Abt. 1675 in King and Queen County, Virginia..

Generation No. 7

• 64. William Lea, born Abt. 1588 in Cheshire, England; died 22 Mar1652/53 in James City, County, Virginia. He was the son of 128. ? Lea.He married 65. Mary Dawkes.
• 65. Mary Dawkes, born in England.

Children of William Lea and Mary Dawkes are:

• i. James Lea, born Abt. 1620.
• ii. Francis Lea, born Abt. 1620.
• iii. Allister Lea, born Abt. 1620. 32 iv. Capt. William Lea, born Abt. 1623 in Lea Hall, Cheshire, England;died Abt. 1663 in King and Queen, Virginia; married Catherine AnneIronmonger Abt. 1649 in New Kent, VA.
• v. Mary Lea, born Abt. 1625.

66. Samuel IRONMONGER, born Abt. 1607 in Donnington, Berkshire,England; died in Probably Virginia. He married 67. Bridget Cordray. 67. Bridget Cordray, born Abt. 1604 in Chute, Wiltshire, England; diedin Probably Virginia.

Children of Samuel IRONMONGER and Bridget Cordray are: 33 i. Catherine Anne Ironmonger, born Abt. 1632; married Capt. WilliamLea Abt. 1649 in New Kent, VA (her name has been disputed; but anIronmonger historian tells me it is accurate.)

• ii. Elizabeth Ironmonger, born Abt. 1636.
• iii. Francis Ironmonger, born Abt. 1633 in Virginia.

Generation No. 8

128. ? Lea He was the son of 256. Nicholas Lea.

Child of ? Lea is: 64 i. William Lea, born Abt. 1588 in Cheshire, England; died 22 Mar1652/53 in James City, County, Virginia; married Mary Dawkes.

Generation No. 9

256. Nicholas Lea

Child of Nicholas Lea is:

• 128 i. ? Lea.

Source: Francis at franinma@adelphia.net, forwarded to me by a donor whowished to be kept anonymous. Re;.Frankey Lea, wife of John jessee Daughter of George and Lucy (Tolbert) Son of William and Mary (Barnett) Son of Capt/Maj John and Ann (taylor) Son of Col Wm. and Mary (Green) Son of Col Wm. and Catherine Anne (Ironmonger)* Son of William (The Immigrant) and Mary (Dawkes)

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Catherine Anne Ironmonger ca 1624- daughter of Samuel and Bridgett (Corderoy) Ironmonger, Jr son of Samuel and Anna (LAWSON) Ironmonger son of William and Alice/Alyce (Davis/Davys) Ironmonger

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The above information was given to me many years ago by Francis atfraninma@adelphia.net Please contact him directly for moreinformation/clarification. Please, this information is not to be used for any commercial purpose. Please see the database disclaimer at http://www.jessee.org. Corrections of errors and additions of information are welcome. jim@jessee.org