The surname LEES in the parish of Artrea of Ardtrea appears to originally have been LEATHES and to have morphed over time. All subsequent LEES families from Ardtrea appear to be descended from the same line, the far majority belonging to the Church of Ireland.

Early Records

The earliest record I have at the moment is from the surviving 1766 Protestant Householders list, where there is a Christopher Leathes, Tullyraw, Ardtrea, Established Church as head of a household.

In 1796, three Lees households in the parish of Artrea received flax premiums; James Leathes, William Leathes, and Christophilus Leaths.

In 1825, two neighbouring Lees households are recorded as paying tithe;
No. 136, James Leas & sons, Tullyraw, 9″1″20 (Irish) acres, £0″19″6
No. 137, William Leas, Tullyraw, 9″2″30 (Irish) acres, £1″1″8

In 1859-60, in Griffith’s Valuation, the following Lees are recorded as occupiers in the townland of Tullyraw, Ardtrea:
No. 4-6, John Lees, 3 parcels of House, offices & land, of 0″1″30, 3″0″0, and 12″1″20 acres of land
No. 8, William Lees, parcel of House, offices & land, of 14″0″2 acres of land
Both properties and leased from Rev. James Jones

James Lees, Artrea

James Lays, born abt 1778 born Artrea parish, Artrea town, Tyrone, Ireland; enlisted in Belfast 17 May 1800 and joined the 23rd Regiment of Foot, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

Corporal Lays was wounded four times; at Copenhagen in the year 1807 he lost the sight of his right eye by the prick of a bayonett. Twice at Martinique in the year 1809 through the left left and in the mouth, and at Alb?nia in ? in the left thigh. [signed] Tho. Smith & A. Simson 23rd Regt. James was discharged in 1821 aged 43.

This may be the James Leas referred to on the 1825 tithe applotment.

Alexander Lees & Jane ?, Tullyraw

In 1825 one of the plots of Lees land was held by “James Leas and sons“.

In 1859 it was held by John Lees, son of Alexander Lees. It seems likely that this Alexander was one of James’ sons. The James Leathes who received the flax premium in 1796 may be the same person.

I cannot find a death record for Alexander so he appears to have died pre-1864 and the beginning of civil registration. At this stage I have no first hand record of Alexander, only his name recorded on the marriage certificates of his children.

Alexander’s spouse is likely the Jane Lees, a 77 year old widow in Artrea, who died 1874. I do not know her maiden name, but the middle name Denham given to son James may provide a clue.

I’ve managed to identify 5 children to the couple thus far, though it seems likely there were more;

  • John Lees, b. abt 1826, m. Margaret Henry 1856, d. 1897 Tullyraw, Ardtrea
  • James Denham Lees, b. abt 1828, m. Mary Anne Bailey 1850, emigrated to the USA, d. 1882 Brooklyn, New York
  • Maria Lees, b. abt 1830, m. John Lees 1850, emigrated to the USA, did not locate death
  • Isabella Lees, b. abt 1834, m. James Young 1858, d. 1908 Cookstown
  • Letitia Lees, b. abt 1839, m. James Harris 1859, d. 1914 Cookstown
  • possibly Anna Maria Lees, b. abt 1840, emigrated to the USA, m. Charles Hickey 1855, d. 1900

John Harkness, b. 1889, emigrated to the USA, d. 1951 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q23W-9P3Q

William Lees & Susan or Anna Moore, Tullyraw

William Lees was born about 1789 according to his 1873 death record. He is listed in the 1825 tithe applotment and 1859 Griffith’s valuation a holding what appears to be the same plot of land in Tullyraw, Artrea.

As his first son was called William, following the traditional naming pattern, he seems likely to be the son of the William Leathes in Artrea listed on the 1796 Flax premiums.

William’s spouse is almost certainly the Susan who was born around 1800 and died 1880, as both William and Susan’s death certificates were signed by their son Henry Lees. Thanks to the obituaries left by several of the couple’s children who emigrated to the USA, we know that Susan or Anna’s maiden name was Moore, and that they had eleven children;

  • William Lee, b. unk, emigrated to the USA, d. abt 1847
  • Nancy Ann Lees, b. 1827, emigrated to the USA, m. Robert Allen
  • Margaret Lees, b. 1830, emigrated to the USA, m. John Warford around 1861
  • Henry Lees, b. abt 1834, remained in Ardtrea, m. Margaret Lindsay 1855, d. 1900
  • David Lees, b. abt 1835, emigrated to Australia, m. Mary Lyons 1859, then emigrated to Greymouth, New Zealand, d. 1915
  • Silas A. Lees, b. 1837, emigrated to the USA, m. Sarah McCulla, d. 1918
  • Isaac Lees, b. 1839, emigrated to Australia, then to New Zealand, then to the USA, d. 1919
  • Samuel H. Lee, b. 1843, emigrated to the USA, m. Jane Kirk, d. 1917
  • Jennie Lees, b. unk, died a young lady
  • Vestina Lees, b. unk, died aged 12
  • another brother died as a young child

William Lee, b. unknown, d. abt 1848
According to brother Samuel’s obituary, William emigrated to the USA and fought in the American-Mexican war. There are records of a William Lea who fought in several campaigns up until 1848, this may have been him. William died in a hospital during his service.

Margaret Lee, b. 1830, d. 1911
Margaret or Maggie, emigrated to Brooklyn, New York in 1848, and in 1852 came with her brother Silas Lees to St. Charles, Illinois. She passed many years following on the farm in Virgil township, that county, where she was married to John Warford. They became residents of Sycamore in 1890.

Maggie was a member of the Methodist church and at her death was survived by three children: Charles Edward Warford of Lily Lake, Kane county: Mrs. Joseph Butts and Miss Millie Warford, both of Sycamore.

Nancy Ann Lee, b. 1827, d. 1904
Nancy also emigrated to the USA and married Robert Allen and resided in St. Charles.

1936 death of son Robert Lee Allan: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2MK-H8NB

Henry Lees, b. abt 1834, d. 1900
Henry is the only surviving sibling to have remained in Ireland and took over the farm in Tullyraw from his father. He married Margaret Lindsay in 1855, the daughter of William Lindsay, Farmer. The couple had 8 known children;

  1. William Lees, b. abt 1860, d. 1883
  2. Annie Lees, b. abt 1861, d. 1921
  3. Mary Jane Lees, b. abt 1862, emigrated to Scotland, d. after 1901
  4. Margaret Lees, b. 1864, m. Alexander W. Cameron 1889, emigrated to Scotland, d. 1950
  5. Martha Lees, b. 1866, emigrated to Canada, d. 19 Aug 1939 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  6. Silas Lees, b. 1868, m. Sarah Ferguson 1916, d. 1 Oct 1931
  7. Sarah Louise Lees, b. 1872, d. 5 Oct 1930
  8. Letitia Elizabeth Lees, b. 1875, m. Joseph Anderson 1907

On 14 Sep 1871 a Richard Simpson in Edernagh, Artrea, married an Eliza McKee. Richard is listed as the illegitimate son of Henry Lees, Farmer, with a note saying that Richard had taken the name Simpson from his mother. Due to the proximity of Edernagh to Tullyraw, this seems almost certainly to be an illegitimate son of Henry. Margaret Eagleson and Jane Wilson were witnesses to the wedding. Perhaps one of them is Miss Simpson, now married

David Lees (1835-1915)

From their brother Samuel H. Lee’s obituary, I knew that David and Isaac had emigrated to New Zealand. After searching through electoral rolls and newspapers, I found the brothers easily enough in the Westland region of the South Island. Tracing the family back, it appears that David and Isaac first emigrated to Australia.

I found the following newspaper article there mentioning them

Missing Friends. ISAAC LEES, who left home on the 3rd of August, is requested to communicate with his brother, David Lees, Sydney Store, Golden Gully, Bendigo (28 Dec 1860 Bendigo Advertiser)

David Lees married a Mary Lyons of Co. Galway, Ireland in 1859 in Victoria, Australia and the couple had six known children:

  • William Henry Lees, b. 1860 Victoria, Australia
  • Ann Lees, b. abt 1862 Victoria, Australia, m. Robert Bulman
  • David Isaac, b. abt 1866 Grey, New Zealand
  • John Joseph Lees, b. 1867 Hokitika, New Zealand
  • Thomas Michael Lees, b. 1871 Grey, New Zealand, m. Amelia Hunter Brooks 1919
  • Mary Catherine Lees, b. 1873 Grey, New Zealand, m. Pryce Hammer 1910

It seems the family managed a river crossing business across the Grey River known as Lees Ferry, and there are a number of articles referencing the business and members of the family. David senior died 16 Apr 1915 in Grey.

The following references appear to belong to David Lees’ family:

  • 1874: David Lees, 898, Household, Duffers Creek on a terrace of Duffers Half-ounce, Grey Valley
  • 1878: David Lees, 902, Household, Duffers Creek on a terrace of Duffers Half-ounce, Grey Valley
  • 1878: David Lees was given a subsidy to maintain a ferry on the Ahaura river (11 July 1878, Grey River Argus)
  • 1879: David Lees, ceased to occupy a household at Duffers Creek (Grey Valley Electoral Roll)
  • 1893: Isaac Lees and Mrs Mary Lees were refused an additional subsidy for Lees’s Ferry (4 Oct 1893)
  • 1896: John Lees, 1948, Farmer, Moonlight, Grey, residential
  • 1896: Mary Lees, 1949, Married Woman, Ahaura, Grey, residential
  • 1896: Thomas Lees, 1950, Farmer, Ahaura, Grey, residential
  • 1896: David Lees, 1951, Farmer, Ahaura, Grey, residential
  • 1900: Isaac Lees, applicant for a place in the Fifth Contingent being formed to proceed to South Africa, a list of 69 people of whom only around 15 can expect to be accepted (16 Mar 1900) [could also belong to David’s brother’s family]
  • 1911: Mary Lees, 3531, Married, Runanga, Grey
  • 1911: David Lees, 3656, Ferryman, Ahaura, Westland

Isaac Lees (1839-1919)

Brother Isaac Lees has proven more difficult to trace, and I can identify no marriage record, though he does appear in a number of records. The following are listings for him in New Zealand electoral rolls and newspaper articles alongside who may well be children of his:

  • 1876: At Warden’s Court, Isaac Lees applied for a head and tail races at the left-hand branch of Nelson Creek, New Zealand (6 Apr 1876)
  • 1878: Isaacs Lees, 903, North of Grey River, Grey Valley, Household, New Zealand
  • 1881: Isaac Lees, North bank of Grey, Ahaura, Inangahua, Residential, New Zealand
  • 1893: Isaac Lees, 1486, Farmer, Moonlight, Inangahua, Residential, New Zealand
  • 1893: Andrew Lees, 1960, Storekeeper, Wallsend, Grey, Residential, New Zealand
  • 1893: Isaac Lees, 1961, Bushman, Lake Brunner, Grey, Residential, New Zealand
  • 1893: Patrick Lees, 1962, Quarryman, Greymouth, Grey, Residential, New Zealand
  • 1896: Isaac Lees sen, 4388, Farmer, Ahaura, Grey Supp 2, Residential, New Zealand
  • 1896: Isaac Lees jun, 4389, Miner, Ahaura, Grey Supp 2, Residential, New Zealand

David Lees‘ son David Isaac appears to have also gone by the name Isaac, so some of the above references may refer to him.

On 6 Apr 1898 an Isaac Lees, age 57, arrived at the port of San Francisco, California, USA from Auckland, New Zealand on the Alameda. His last residence was Hokotoka, New Zealand.

He appears in a number of American records, though I have not been able to locate him on the census.

  • 29 Oct 1900 an Isaac Lees declared his intention to become a citizen of the United States of American, Dawson, Montana, USA, declaration number 362.
  • 28 Mar 1905, Isaac Lees, Dawson, Montana, USA, Patent in the General Land Office Records
  • 1919 burial record in Montana, USA: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/91723976
  •  

Isaas Lees (sic) died 24 Jun 1919 at Glendive, Dawson, Montana, USA. His marriage status is recorded as unknown. Cause of death supposed to be a paralytic stroke, though no inquest was deemed necessary. He was recorded as born August 1837, age 82, Retired Farmer, born Ireland, the son of William Lees and Miss Moore. The informant was James Leeds (sic) residing at Glendive, a possible son? I cannot find Isaac or James on any American census.

Samuel H. Lee (1843-1917) who married Jane Kirk

Samuel was born 2 Feb 1843 according to his death record. Here he appears on a number of American records:

Ronald Lees & Rachel Hogg, Tullyveagh

According to his emigration record, Reynolds Lees, was born around 1793. His name was also spelled Ronald or Randall and he may have been a brother of Alexander Lees, and the son of the James Lees or Leathes appearing in the 1796 flax premium lists and the 1825 tithe applotment of Artrea.

According to her emigration record, wife Rachel Hogg was born around 1809. This cannot be the case though, unless Ronald was previously married, as son James was likely born around 1816. A Robert Hogg was witness to the 1857 wedding of son Matthew. Robert was likely Rachel‘s brother or father.

There are records of 2 children baptized to the couple in Artrea Church of Ireland on RootsIreland and there may be more recorded in the register as only those from 1831-4 are available on RootsIreland. So far I have identified 3 other likely children to the couple from other records;

  1. James Lees, born about 1816 Ireland, married Mary Henry, Jane Park, and possibly Mary Dunlop. He emigrated to Scotland, died 1891 Dennistoun, Glasgow
  2. John Lees, born about 1821 Ireland, married Margaret Johnston date unknown, emigrated to Scotland, died after 1891
  3. Alexander Lees, born about 1824 Ireland, married Mary Cairns, emigrated to Scotland, died 1892 Coatbridge, near Glasgow
  4. possibly Randall or Reynold Lees, born abt 1827, emigrated to the USA in 1848
  5. Jane Lees, Tullyveagh, bapt. 8 Nov 1829 Artrea Church of Ireland, emigrated to the USA, did not marry, died 1883 New York
  6. Matthew Lees, Tullyveagh, bapt. 9 Oct 1831 Artrea Church of Ireland, married Catherine Casey, likely emigrated to the USA after 1859

As we already know that three brothers emigrated to the Glasgow area, it will be worthwhile checking for possible sisters who also moved there. They may prove harder to trace due to name change upon marriage.

I. James Lees, b. abt 1816, d. 1891

First marriage

From his 1891 death record, we know that James Lays was first married to a Mary Henry. A record of their marriage 1834 survives within the Irish Diocesan and Prerogative Marriage License Bonds Indexes http://census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/dm/IRE_DIOC_007246526_00538.pdf. The Diocese of Armagh included East Tyrone.

The following entries from St. Luran’s Church of Ireland, Derryloran, record children baptised to a James Lays, Labourer, Tullywiggan, and his wife Mary Lays. This seems likely to be the couple. No mother’s name is recorded, but a James Henry was a witness to one of the births, and the forename Rachel is used;

  • Mary Anne Lays, b. 1 Jun 1839, c. 19 Jan 1840, Delilah Clements & James Henry standing for the child
  • William Lays, b. 18 Dec 1841, c. 3 Apr 1842
  • Rachel Lays, b. 13 Apr 1844, c. 12 Jun 1844
  • James Lays, b. 21 Jul 1846, c. 12 Aug 1846

Additionally, a Jane Lays in Ross, Donaghenry, daughter of James Lays, Labourer, married a Moses Chambers, father unknown, on 24 Nov 1858 at Donaghenry Parish Church before witnesses Matthew Lays and Robert Hogg. This is almost certainly another child of James Lees and Mary Henry who was born sometime 1834-8.

Second marriage

James Lays, Labourer, Widower, son of Randall Lays, in Annahavil, Donaghenry, married Jane Parke aged 21, daughter of William Parke in Annahavil, 14 Jul 1848 Donaghenry Parish Church before witnesses William Parke and George Hamilton.

  • Eliza Lees, b. Abt 1850 Ireland

  • Isabella Lees, b. Abt 1854 Ireland

  • Susan Lees, b. Abt 1856 Ireland

  • Mary Lees, b. 22 May 1858 New Kilpatrick, Dunbarton, Scotland

  • James Lees, b. 23 Jun 1860 New Kilpatrick, Dunbarton, Scotland

  • Rachel Lees, b. 25 Dec 1862 New Kilpatrick, Dunbarton, Scotland

  • Catherine Lees, b. 14 Jan 1865 New Kilpatrick, Dunbarton, Scotland

  • Martha Lees, b. 6 Jun 1868 New Kilpatrick, Dunbarton, Scotland

James Lees died in 1891 and his death certificate records his mother’s maiden name Hogg.

Third marriage

According to his death certificate, James was married a third time to a Mary Dunlop, however I can find no trace of this marriage. It may be that the couple were unmarried and simply cohabited, or perhaps the names are indexed differently and I couldn’t find the marriage for that reason.

II. Alexander Lees, born abt 1824, d. 1892

married 1848 Lanark, Scotland to; Mary Cairns b. Abt 1820, d. 1899

  • John Lees, b. 1850 Lanark

  • Rachell Lees, b. 1852 Lanark, m. William McLaren

  • Sarah Jane Lees, b. 1854 Lanark

  • James Lees, b. 1857 Lanark

  • Alexander Lees, b. 1859 Lanark, m. Mary Justice Milligan Justice

  • William Lees, b. 1861 Lanark

III. Reynold Lees, born abt 1827

In 1848, a Reynold Lees aged 55 together with a Reynold Lees aged 21, both labourers, sailed from Belfast to New York. I do not know for sure at this point, but due to the unique name, it seems likely that this is the same family.

IV. Jane Lees, born abt 1829, d. 1883

I did not yet trace her immigration record.

V. Matthew Lees, b. abt 1830, d. aft 1860

Matthew Lays, Labourer, son of Randall Lays, in Ardpatrick, Donaghenry, married Catherine Casey, daughter of Peter Casey in Stewartstown, both Single, Married 13 Jan 1857 Donaghenry Parish Church before witnesses James Barkley and Robert Hogg.

This is likely the Matthew Lees appearing in 1859 on Griffith’s in the townland of Galvally, or Stevenson’s Dowery, Town of Stewartstown, Back row;
No. 27, Matthew Lees, tenant of a House and yard with an annual value of £1″0″0 owned by John Little.

Matthew appears in the Valuation Revision Books under the same tenement until 1891 when he is replaced by a Patrick O’Neil;

VAL/12/B/37/20A-D; No. 27 Matthew Lees (occupier), Saml Little (lessor), hose & yard, £1″0″0

There is no death record for a matching Matthew Lees in Ireland though, so it seems likely he died elsewhere. In fact he may have been living in the USA and held on to the property while abroad.

Matthew and his family suffered a tragedy while emigrating to America on board the New York bound ship Pomona when it struck Blackwater Bank, killing 420 people died out of the 444 total on-board. Matthew was one of the few survivors.

Among the passengers list published in the Wexford Constitution 04 May 1859 are;
Rachel Lees 50
Matthew Lees 30 (saved)
Catherine Lees 22
Rachel Lees 2
William Lees infant

In the newspaper article, Matthew Lees is quoted as stated that he formerly lived at Stewartstown, being by trade a flax scutcher; he had a sister residing in New York, who had sent for him to go there [likely Jane Lees]; he went to Liverpool with his wife, his mother, and two children, aged two years and ten months respectively ; he took passages for the whole of them at Tapscott’s offices in Liverpool, and went on board the Pomona one day before sailing.
After the disaster, Matthew stated he was going back to Co. Tyrone, but thought he would still try to get to New York. (see Northern Whig 06 May 1859)

If Matthew did indeed emigrate again, then he may be the Matthew James Lees, b. abt 1830-3 Ireland who married an Elizabeth Beresford and lived in New York on the 1860 and 1870 census. They were also Episcopal and had several children there including a daughter called Rachel. Matthew appears to have still been alive in 1883 at his daughter Jane’s wedding. He appears to have died before 1892.

He may be the Matthew Lee aged 54 of 604 W. 43rd who was buried 9 Aug 1891 at the Episcopal Chapel of Zion and St Timothy in New York. This would match with the year Matthew Lees disappeared from the valuation revision books in Stewartstown.

He may be one of the following entries in the New York city directory
1889-92: LEE Matthew, Laborer, h 519 First Av.
1889/90: LEE Matthew, Ostler, h 647 W. 42d
Elizabeth Lees, widow of Matthew is listed in the New York City directory as living at h 606 W. 43d in 1892.

Robert Lees who married Jane Purvis, Tullyveagh

I managed to piece together this family from mostly American records.

American records tell us that mother Jane‘s maiden name was Purvis, a mostly British surname which in Ireland is found almost exclusively between Magherafelt in Co. Londonderry and Cookstown in Co. Tyrone, see https://www.johngrenham.com/findasurname.php?surname=Purvis

The couple had the following known children;

  1. Mary Lees, b. abt 1824
  2. Oliver Lees, b. abt 1828
  3. John Lees, Tullyveagh, c. 20 Dec 1829 Artrea Parish Church
  4. Robert Lee, b. abt 1831
  5. Joseph Lee, b. abt 1832
  6. Jane Lee, b. abt 1836
  7. Margaret Lee, b. abt 1838
  8. Ann Lee, b. abt 1840

The whole family immigrated to the USA together, arriving at New York from Liverpool on 16 Nov 1846 on a ship also called Liverpool. The ages do not fully match, but this is definitely the family;
Robert Lays 36 Farmer, Ireland
Jane do 38
Wm do 25
Mary do 22
Oliver do 19
Robert do 16
John do 12
Jos do 10
Jane do 7
Margt do 5
Anne do 2

The Wm above seems to be William Laidley mistakenly recorded as a Lays.

I am fairly confident that the below records refer to Robert Lee senior and wife Jane, though again there are some inconsistencies in some of the details;

Here is an overview of my research into the couple’s children;

I. Mary Lee, b. abt 1825, d. aft 1850

William Ledlie married Mary Lays at St. Luran’s Parish Church Derryloran, Cookstown September 11th 1845. William was a full age bachelor and a Labourer from Terressan townland, Derryloran, the son of John Ledlie, Farmer. Mary was a full age spinster from Drummullen townland, Arboe, the daughter of Robert Lays, Farmer. One of the witnesses was a John Ledlie, possibly William’s father or brother, and the second witness was an Oliver Lees, possibly Mary’s brother or another unknown relation.

From the 1850 census we know they had at least two children:

  • John Laidley, b. abt 1846 New York
  • Nancy Laidley, b. abt 1848 New York

I cannot however find anything definite for Mary, her husband William or either of their children after the 1850 census. A Mary appears on the 1865 census with Robert and Jane Lee, (see above) though she appears without husband or children and is listed as single. I cannot be sure this is the correct family at this stage.

There was a Wm. Laidlie age 14 ¾, Teressan who was confirmed in September 1837 at St Luran’s Derryloran by the primate Lord John George Beresford. A Mary Laidlie, age 17, also from Teressan was confirmed at the same time. William’s age on confirmation would place his date of birth at around January 1823.

II. Oliver Lee, b. abt 1827, d. 1865

Oliver Lees or Lee appears to have married Mary E. Morse and had at least one child child Isabella Lee who married a Daniel Donovan https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:24MF-WDB
I could not locate any other children born to the couple.

Oliver is referenced in several newspaper articles. He was imprisoned for manslaughter in 1855 after punching a man so strongly he killed him. The incident happened during a Protestant vs. Catholic sectarian riot on an election day. Oliver‘s brothers Joseph and Robert, as well as Robert senior are all also mention in some of the articles.

Oliver was pardoned in 1865 and released from prison early. Unfortunately however he did not survive the year.

III. Robert Lee, b. abt 1830, d. aft 1855

I’ve struggled to trace Robert junior. This may be him on the below census records, but I am far from certain at this stage;

IV. John Lee, b. abt 1838, d. 1904

John appears on the 1870 census with his parents (see link above). He died 21 May 1904 while residing at 216 Navy St and left a will to three siblings;

Margaret Lee, sister, resident of 530 Wythe Avenue
Joseph Lee, brother, 47 No 8 ???
Ann Butler, sister, 216 Berry Street, Brooklyn

1904 death: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WFF-4K7

V. Joseph Lee, b. abt 1840, d. 1906

Will available on Ancestry.

Joseph Lee married Sarah Ann Fairhurst and had  at least the following children;

VI. Jane Lee, b. abt 1836, d. aft 1850
Cannot find something definite for her post-1850

VII. Margaret Lee, b. abt 1838, d. after 1850
Cannot find anything definite for her post-1850, other than her possibly being the Margaret on the 1865 census with Robert and Jane. She was definitely still alive in 1904 as she is mentioned in her brother’s will.

VIII. Ann Lee, b. abt 1840, d. 20 Nov 1905
Married Thomas Butler.

Will of Ann Butler, 105 N 8th St, d. 20 Nov 1905

William Lees of Artrea 1820-1842

MURDER OF A WATER-BAILIFF – Last Saturday, William Lees, about 22 years old, murdered in the parish of Artrea, Coagh neighborhood. His brother assisted him with his injury. He left two aged and indulgent parents to lament his fate.

(22 November 1842 – Belfast News-Letter – Belfast, Antrim, Northern Ireland)

I cannot say to which exact family this William relates to. There is a headstone to his memory in St. Andrew’s Church of Ireland graveyard, Artrea. It reads as follows:

Here lieth the body of William Lays who departed this life November the 15th 1842 aged 23 years