William Lees (1815-1898) born Cookstown

William Lees, b. abt 1815 Cookstown, Tyrone, Ireland, emigrated to the USA around 1830, lived in Pittsburgh, d. 1898. Was a boat builder and a painter. Survived by three daughters; Mrs Henry Phillips, Mrs N. L. Stone and Miss Alice Lees.

William married Margaret McAfee and had at least 5 children;

  • Sam Lees 1844
  • Anna Lees 1848
  • Wm A Lees 1850
  • Mary Alice Lees 1855
  • Nelly Lees 1854

On the 1850 census there is also a Robert Leese born abt 1832 Ireland, a blacksmith, in the same household. This could possible be a brother.

William seems the most likely candidate for the Capt. Wm. Lees of Pittsburgh who took over the estate of his brother, Samuel A. Lees, Riverman, b. abt 1822 Ireland, who died Jun 1882 St Louis, Missouri. (Samuel’s death record list his as b. PA, but the 1880 census states Ireland). Perhaps further records can help confirm or deny this.

Robert Lees (1839-1903) born Desertcreat

There is a record of a Robert Lays or Lees who served in the Dublin Metropolitan Police. In the registers it is stated that he joined on 31 Mar 1859, he was a Labourer born in Dese[rt]creat, Co. Tyrone about 1839, and his warrant number was 5941.

Desertcreat bordered on Cookstown and I have found no reference of any other LEES family from the parish, so it may be that Robert is related to the LEES families in the neighbouring parishes of Ardtrea or Derryloran.

On 5 August 1861 Robert Lays married Jane Gealy at St. Michan’s Parish Church, North Dublin. He was of full age, Bachelor, Policeman, residing at Phoenix Street Police Barracks, the son of John Lays, Farmer. She was a minor, Spinster, residing at 13 George’s Hill, the daughter of WIlliam Gealy, Bookbinder. Samuel Rea and James Macken were witnesses.

Aside from being a Policeman, Robert is variously recorded as a Clerk, Draper, Porter, and Railway Porter.

I’ve identified the following children as born to Robert and Jane;

  • Margaret Lees, b. abt 1863, m. Charles James John Coote 1880 Dublin, d. 1900 Dublin
  • William Lees, b. 26 Oct 1864, 10 George’s Hill (Informant: Jane Lees, 10 George’s Hill), d. 1865
  • John Alexander Lays, b. 19 Sep 1866, 10 George’s Hill (Informant Jane Ellis, 13 George’s Hill), d. 1866
  • Robert Ernest Lees or Lays, b. 1 Jul 1872, 9 Stafford Street (Informant Ellen Gaily, 9 Stafford Street), d. 5 Dec 1880 Dublin
  • Frederick William Lees, b. 28 March 1875, 9 Stafford Street (Informant: Ellen Gealey, 9 Stafford Street), appears to have emigrated as could find no trace of him in Ireland
  • William Henry Lees, b. 2 Apr 1878, 9 Trinity Street (Informant: Ellen Gealy, 20 Stafford Street), married Esther Perry 18 Mar 1901 Dublin
  • Albert John Lees, b. 20 Oct 1882, 22 Stafford Street (Informant: Margaret Coote, 22 Stafford Street), d. 5 Nov 1882 Dublin

William Lees b. 1845-59? Co. Tyrone, parish unknown

William Lees born Co. Tyrone was an unmarried servant belonging to the Church of Ireland. He appears in different counties on both the 1901 and 1911 censuses, though I cannot yet say whether or not they are in fact the same person, as not all details match up, it does seem likely as I cannot find either candidate on the other census they should otherwise appear in.

  • In 1901, William Lees, 42, CofE, born Co. Tyrone, Farm Servant, can read and write, not married; in the house of Phebe A Graham, 30, Farmer and Widow
  • The 1911 William Lees was 65, CofE, born Co. Tyrone, Farm Servant, can’t read or write, not married; in the household of Mary Jane Gingles, 46, a Widow.