Leonard Dees

Leonard Dees was born in 1800 in South Carolina, probably in Clarendon County. His father, John Dees (Vol.V) is shown there with his wife Mary and no children in the census of 1790, apparently just married. Leonard and Ann, maiden name unknown, were married about 1821. His wife, Ann, died about October 29, 1847 when her signature appears on a deed selling land in Hamilton County and April 30, 1848 when Leonard Dees married Malinda Towler, daughter of William R Towler. During the Seminole Wars of 1817-18 Leonard Dees served as a musician in the First Regiment of Georgia Militia, Tattnall County. He was granted 500 acres on Beard's Creek in 1818, and on October 2, 1820 he was granted an additional 1,000 acres on Beard's Creek, all in Tattnall County. He appears in the 1830 census of Lowndes County with a wife and seven children. He served as Captain in the 662nd District Lowndes County Militia from August 8, 1831 to August 20, 1838 during the Florida Indian Wars. He is shown in the 1840 census of Lowndes County, Georgia but moved shortly to Hamilton County, Florida as indicated by the 1850 census of Hamilton County showing George Washington, Anna Elizabeth and Thomas born in Florida. Leonard Dees died intestate in December 1851 or early January 1852, indicated by Hamilton County Probate records naming John Sasser temporary administrator of his estate on January 16, 1852. These records show that he owned nine slaves at the time of his death. His son-in-law, Daniel Mills Lewis was appointed guardian of two minor daughters, Sarah and Annie E., and shared guardianship of Zachariah D. with Leonard, Jr. and Joseph Dees. Other minor children, Susannah, Hezekiah and George Washington are not mentioned in the estate documents, which may indicate that they were not living at the time of their father's death, although his two young sons, Thomas and Milton, born to Malinda were also omitted. His widow, Malinda, married Joseph Kerse, December 16, 1852 in Hamilton County, Florida and was living there in 1860 as shown by the census, with Leonard's sons Thomas and Milton Dees, Milton having been born posthumously, and three younger Kerse children. Sources: Judge Huxford's files; PWG, Vol.V; Historical Southern Families, Vol. XVI and XVII; Lowndes County Census 1830-40; Hamilton County, Fl. Census 1850-60-70-80 and 1900; Hamilton County, Fl. Probate, Marriage records and Cemeteries; Lafayette County, Fl. Marriage records and Cemeteries. Contributed by: Anna Lee Polk of Leesburg, Florida, great granddaughter of Leonard's daughter, Celia; edited by Alma Dees of Worthington Springs, Florida, wife of Bryant Walter Dees, Jr., descended from Leonard Dees. Jr." In the first census of Lowndes County in 1830, "fifty-one couples form twenty to thirty years old had more than one child in each family; the number of children ranged from the usual two to the six of James Edmondson and the seven of Leonard Dees." Pioneers of Wiregrass Ga., VOL 9, p. 137, adds additional information about Leonard's family. Granted land in Tattnall County in 1818 and 1820 along Beards Creek.Information gained from records at County seat in Reidsville. Tattnall County juror in 1821. Listed as original owners of 16th Land Dist in Lowndes County in 1825 (11/29/42, 211&212 - 11/25/42) Land Lottery of Georgia (Coweta County and Muscogee)(Soldier) 1827 1830 GA Census, Lowndes. Males: Under 5:2 , 5-10: 2 , 20-30: 1 Females: Under 5:2 ,20-30:1 1830 GA Census, Lowndes Listed as tax payer in Lowndes County, GA in 1830. 68th in the 15th Dist. 1840 LOWNDES COUNTY GA FEDERAL CENSUS INDEX: Dees, Lenard - 8M, 7F Listed in the 1850 Hamilton County census with his wife. His estate was probated in Hamilton Co., FL, file 21-B. John Sasser was the administrator. He was living with his son, Joseph in 1850. More About Leonard D. DEES: Residence: 1850, District 1, Hamilton, Florida.471, 472 More About Leonard D. DEES and Malinda TOWLER: Marriage: Apr 30, 1848, Hamilton County, FL. Children of Leonard D. DEES and Ann are:+Leonard L. DEES, b. 1822, GA, d. date unknown. +Flemming B. DEES, b. Abt. 1824, Tattnall County, GA, d. Mar 31, 1881, Suwannee Co., FL. Henry DEES, b. Abt. 1827, d. Bef. 1900, Lafayette Co., Fl. +Joseph L. DEES, b. Oct 27, 1827, Lowndes Co, GA473, d. Jul 22, 1902, Hamilton Co, FL. +Elijah DEES, b. 1829, Lowndes Co., GA, d. 1899, Hamilton Co, FL474. +Celia DEES, b. Sep 22, 1830, Lowndes Co., GA, d. Mar 01, 1907, Valdosta, Lowndes Co., GA. Nathanial M DEES, b. 1833, Ga., d. Abt. 1871475. +REV DEES Zacariah, b. Sep 01, 1835, GA476, d. Apr 20, 1901, Lafayette Co., Fl477. Susannah DEES, b. 1837, Lowndes, GA., d. date unknown. Sarah DEES, b. 1837, Lowndes Co., GA, d. date unknown. Hezekiah DEES, b. 1840, Lowndes Co., GA, d. date unknown. George Washington DEES, b. 1841, Hamilton Co, FL, d. date unknown. +Anna Elizabeth DEES, b. Apr 25, 1844, Hamilton Co, FL, d. date unknown.

Children of Leonard D. DEES and Malinda TOWLER are:+Thomas M. (or E) DEES, b. 1849, Florida, d. date unknown. Milton DEES, b. Mar 06, 1852, d. Sep 19, 1899478.