Joseph Mack Lee
1872 -
Generation: 1
Generation: 3
Generation: 4
1. Joseph Mack Lee was born on 23 Apr 1872 in Newtown, Vermilion County, Illinois (son of Peter Milton Lee and Sarah Ann Gritton).
2. Peter Milton Lee was born on 6 Jun 1851 in Vermilion County, Illinois (son of Squire Edward Lee and Fannie Sowders); died on 3 Aug 1925 in Kankakee, Kankakee County, Illinois; was buried on 7 Aug 1925 in Kankakee State Hospital Cemetery, Kankakee, Kankakee County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Occupation: farmer
- Census: 1880, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
Notes:
Milton Lee was the son of Squire Edward Lee and Fannie Sowders. Squire and Fannie were prosperous early settlers, farmers and landowners in Blount Township, Vermilion County, IL
Milton married first Sarah A. Gritton on 31 December 1868. Between 1869 and 1880, they had as many as seven children later given to adoption. Per the 1880 census, six of those children were: Luna Belle; Mary F; Joseph M; John Wesley Lee; Tonie S; and Milton. Charles Lee Mobaker was Milton and Sarah's youngest child. Milton and Sarah divorced in 1883.
Milton married second Margaret Rebecca Randall Jones on 6 November 1884. Milton and Margaret had four children together.
Milton was a troubled man. He was afflicted with mental illness that may have been bi-polar disorder. Milton was absent from his family for long periods of time. When he did come home, he would have fits of rage that terrorized his children.
Milton was admitted to the State Hospital in Kankakee where he is a resident in the 1900 Census. The 1920 Census shows Milton as a resident of Blount Township, Vermilion County, IL. However, Milton passed at the State Hospital on 3 August 1925. He was buried in the State Hospital Cemetery 7 August 1925.
Milton used and went by his middle name, "Milton." His Lee family descendants distinctly remember him as Peter Milton Lee. His step-descendants choose to remember him as Milton E. Lee. Both offer legitimate arguments, but his full name, like the man, remains an enigma. There is complete agreement that he was known as Milton Lee.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/75572203/milton-leePeter married Sarah Ann Gritton on 31 Dec 1868 in Vermilion County, Illinois, and was divorced in Oct 1883 in Vermilion County, Illinois. Sarah (daughter of William Wesley Gritton and Amelia Ann Cox) was born on 16 May 1852 in Indiana; died on 3 Aug 1941 in Farrington Township, Jefferson County, Illinois; was buried on 5 Aug 1941 in Harmony Cemetery, Harmony, Jefferson County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
3. Sarah Ann Gritton was born on 16 May 1852 in Indiana (daughter of William Wesley Gritton and Amelia Ann Cox); died on 3 Aug 1941 in Farrington Township, Jefferson County, Illinois; was buried on 5 Aug 1941 in Harmony Cemetery, Harmony, Jefferson County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Occupation: at home
- Census: 1920, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois
Notes:
Note from Find a Grave
Sarah Ann Gritton was born 16 May 1852 in Indiana to William Wesley Gritton and Amelia Ann Cox. She married Milton Lee 31 December 1868 in Vermilion County, Illinois. Sarah divorced Milton in October of 1883 in Vermilion County, Illinois. The marriage produce seven known children; Luna Belle who married Eli Filmore Martin; Mary F.; Joseph M.; John Wesley who married Mary Jane Smith; Iona S. who married William Dickinson, Milton and Henry E. Sarah second married Jesse Thatcher in Vermillion County, Illinois 25 January 1884. They also apparently divorced. Sarah married James Humble in Vermilion County 15 October 1892. She died in Jefferson County, Illinois 31 August 1941. After her eldest daughter Luna Belle died at the early age of 26, Sarah helped raise her four children.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/101025792/sarah-ann-humbleNotes:
Married:
Marriage License Abstracts Vermilion County, Illinois 1853-1874. Page 84. Squire Lee, father, and Cym Lee signed for Milton Lee. W. W. Gritton, father, signed for Sarah A. Gritton.Children:
- Luna Amelia Belle Lee was born in 1871 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 23 Mar 1897 in Iowa.
- Mary F. Lee was born about 1872 in Vermilion County, Illinois.
- 1. Joseph Mack Lee was born on 23 Apr 1872 in Newtown, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- John Wesley Lee was born about 1876 in Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Ina S. Lee was born in Nov 1875 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 7 Jul 1906; was buried in Oakridge Cemetery, Catlin, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Milton Lee was born about 1880 in Vermilion County, Illinois.
Generation: 3
4. 
Squire Edward Lee was born on 1 Oct 1814 in Mercer County, Kentucky; died on 4 May 1880 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Census: 1850, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1860, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1870, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
Notes:
note on Find a Grave:
Son of William Henry Lee and Sarah Crockett.
One large gravestone marks the graves of Squire Edward and wife Fannie Sowders Lee at Gordon Cemetery on the west side of Lake Vermilion. The inscription reads:
"Weep not dear children
Disturb not my rest
My Saviour has called me
He thought it best."
There is a persistent Lee Family Legend that Squire is a third cousin of General Robert E. Lee. Squire was a Lincoln supporter and strong Union man during the Civil War. Squire seemed to disapprove of his distant cousin's betrayal of the Union. Squire is thought to have destroyed evidence connecting him with the Virginia Lees. Although the Legend remains unproven, the family resemblance is striking.
Lees Had Ties To Land of Lincoln
Squire Lee of Blount Township, Gen. Lee Were 3rd cousins
by Larry Weatherford, The Commercial-News, Danville, IL, August 26, 2012
In 1829, just one year before Tom Lincoln, his wife and children made that now-famous move to Illinois, a man named William Henry Lee settled with his family here in Vermilion County. Both family names would soon be marked indelibly into the history books of America.
There were a lot of Lees on the early census rolls of Vermilion County. By 1860, William Henry Lee’s son, Squire Edward Lee, was a well-known and respected landowner and farmer with a family of his own. It was an election year, and Squire Edward voted for Tom Lincoln’s son, Abraham, who had spent a good deal of time in Vermilion County himself over the past 20-some years.
Little did either family know that this Western state they were calling home would one day be known as the “Land of Lincoln.” Or that one of the most respected officers in the United States Army, a third cousin of Squire Edward Lee, would soon lead the forces of a new Army for the Confederate States of America in what Lincoln would call a “great Civil War.”
Squire was Lee’s first name, not a title, even though the Lees were about as close to titled gentry as you could come in America. His line of the Lee family included two signers of the Declaration of Independence, an attorney general of the United States, two governors, and the Revolutionary War hero who would make the famous statement at George Washington’s funeral: “First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen.”
Those were just some of the renowned Lee family members. The most famous Lee relative was just beginning to achieve his fame. Among his achievements, Robert E. Lee had been a hero of the Mexican War, engineered the port at St. Louis, MO, and had led the capture of John Brown at Harper’s Ferry.
When southern states started to secede, Robert E. Lee chose to turn down an offer to be the commander of the Union forces. He then resigned his post in the U.S. Army, and accepted a commission in the new Confederate States Army. Most of Lee’s immediate family went along with his decision and followed him into the service of the South.
That choice didn’t come without some division in the Lee family. Not only did Squire Edward Lee support the Union while living in Illinois, but many of Lee’s other cousins and family members in Virginia also aligned with the Union. One would even become a rear admiral in the U.S. Navy.
Squire Edward Lee’s homestead and the majority of his land holdings were in Blount Township near what is now Hungry Hollow Road past Woodbury Hill. He lived there with his wife, Fanny, and their children. Other farmland he owned was near Catlin.
It is doubtful that Squire Edward let his friends and neighbors know that he was related to Robert E. Lee, since he was living in the home state of the commander-in-chief of the Union forces. Some of Squire’s descendants believe he tried to hide that fact because he was living in northern territory. They have wondered about their relationship to the famous Lee family for many years, and some say the records were intentionally made unclear on the lineage.
Descendants of another William Henry Lee who also had moved to Vermilion County in 1829 could not establish a tie to the famous Lee family. They even tried DNA testing, and found that they were not related to Robert Edward or Squire Edward Lee.
Even though the records were somewhat muddy as to the relationship of Squire Edward to Robert E. Lee, my friend and fellow researcher, Alan Woodrum, and I were on the track of what one descendant had called a “silver bullet” that tied Squire to the famous Lee family.
Third cousins:
While I was poring over books and genealogy information on the Lee family, Alan e-mailed to let me know that he had found the connection. As we had thought, it was on the Richard Henry Lee side of the family. Rather than second cousins as the oral family history had indicated, Robert Edward and Squire Edward were third cousins.
Squire’s mother was Sarah Crockett Lee. So, as you might expect, the family history has it that she was related to frontiersman, Congressman and hero of the Alamo, Davy Crockett. That has yet to be proven.
Squire Lee died on May 4, 1880. He and several of his family members are buried in the Gordon Cemetery near Lake Vermilion.
Posted with approval of Larry Weatherford,
October 19, 2014
Name:
son of William Henry Lee and Sarah Crockett
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/12763683/squire-edward-leeSquire married Fannie Sowders on 16 Jun 1836 in Vermilion County, Illinois. Fannie (daughter of John Sowders and Elizabeth Guthery) was born on 22 Jan 1820 in Ohio; died on 23 Jun 1893 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
5. Fannie Sowders was born on 22 Jan 1820 in Ohio (daughter of John Sowders and Elizabeth Guthery); died on 23 Jun 1893 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/12763686/fannie-leeNotes:
Married:
Marriage License Abstracts Vermilion County, Illinois 1826-1852. Page 44. William Lee, father, signed permission for Squire Lee. John Sowders signed for Fanny.Children:
- William Henry Lee was born on 18 Nov 1837 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 12 Oct 1921 in Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried on 13 Oct 1921 in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Clarissa Lee was born on 9 Feb 1840 in Illinois; died on 21 Mar 1933 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried on 24 Mar 1933 in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- John Sowders Lee was born on 12 Jul 1844 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 15 May 1919 in Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Andrew Jackson Lee was born on 7 Apr 1848 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 2 Sep 1906 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- 2. Peter Milton Lee was born on 6 Jun 1851 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 3 Aug 1925 in Kankakee, Kankakee County, Illinois; was buried on 7 Aug 1925 in Kankakee State Hospital Cemetery, Kankakee, Kankakee County, Illinois.
- David Crockett Lee was born on 6 Jun 1858 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 20 Jun 1940 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
6. William Wesley Gritton was born on 10 Oct 1825 in Mercer County, Kentucky (son of Milo B. Gritton and Mary Sims); died on 29 Mar 1884; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Census: 1870, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1880, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/137238832/william-wesley-grittonWilliam married Amelia Ann Cox on 24 Jun 1851 in Johnson County, Indiana. Amelia (daughter of Jonathan Cox and Sarah Ann Peggs) was born on 9 Aug 1835 in Hendricks County, Indiana; died on 25 Apr 1879 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
7. Amelia Ann Cox was born on 9 Aug 1835 in Hendricks County, Indiana (daughter of Jonathan Cox and Sarah Ann Peggs); died on 25 Apr 1879 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/128122086/amelia-ann-grittonChildren:
- 3. Sarah Ann Gritton was born on 16 May 1852 in Indiana; died on 3 Aug 1941 in Farrington Township, Jefferson County, Illinois; was buried on 5 Aug 1941 in Harmony Cemetery, Harmony, Jefferson County, Illinois.
- Margaret J. Gritton was born in 1853 in Henry County, Indiana; died on 1 Feb 1892 in Buffalo County, Nebraska; was buried in Kearney Cemetery, Kearney, Buffalo County, Nebraska.
- Mary Emily Gritton was born on 6 Nov 1858 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 2 Aug 1946 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried on 5 Aug 1946 in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Hannah Matilda Gritton was born on 2 Mar 1862 in Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 21 Nov 1944 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried on 24 Nov 1944 in Partlow Cemetery, Armstrong, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Rachel Mae Gritton was born on 23 Oct 1863 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 28 Aug 1951; was buried in Sunset Memorial Park, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- John D. Gritton was born about 1866 in Illinois.
- Luna B. Gritton was born about 1869 in Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Kate Gritton was born on 21 Nov 1870 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 5 Mar 1933 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried on 7 Mar 1933 in Spring Hill Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Ella Mae Gritton was born on 30 Oct 1876 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 22 Mar 1961; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
Generation: 4
10. John Sowders was born in 1796 in Virginia; died on 12 Nov 1858; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Census: 1850, Vermilion County, Illinois
Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22842803John married Elizabeth Guthery on 30 Jul 1812 in Ross County, Ohio. Elizabeth was born in 1795 in Pike County, Ohio; died in 1880 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
11. Elizabeth Guthery was born in 1795 in Pike County, Ohio; died in 1880 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Notes:
Name:
daughter of William Guthery and Catherine Theobald
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/88023155/elizabeth-sowdersChildren:
- Cynthia Ann Sowders was born on 11 Jun 1822 in Pike County, Ohio; died on 26 Feb 1906 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- 5. Fannie Sowders was born on 22 Jan 1820 in Ohio; died on 23 Jun 1893 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Elizabeth Sowders was born in 1836 in Illinois; died on 9 Jan 1911 in Wadena County, Minnesota; was buried in burial details unknown.
12. 
Milo B. Gritton was born on 18 May 1804 in Mercer County, Kentucky (son of Jesse Gritton and Sarah Brumfield); died on 15 Jul 1846 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Census: 1830, Shaker, Mercer County, Kentucky
- Census: 1840, Vermilion County, Illinois
Notes:
Wills and probate records. Vermilion County, Illinois
Will records, book C-E 1848-1864.
Page 448
Know all men by those present that we John R. Gritton, John Sanders and Jane Gritton of the County of Vermilion and State of Illinois are held and firmly bond unto the people of the State of Illinois in the paid sum of one thousand dollars current money of the United States which payment will as truly to be made and performed we and each of us find ourselves and heirs executors administrators and assign jointly severally and firmly by these present witnesses our hands and seals this 8th day of August A.D. 1846.
The condition of the above obligation is such that if the said John R. Gritton administrator of all and singular the goods and chattels rights and debts of Milo B. Gritton deceased do make or cause to be made a true and perfect inventory of all and singular the goods and chattels rights and credits of the said deceased which shall come to the hands possession or knowledge of him the said John R. Gritton as such administrator or to the hands of any person or persons from him and the same so made do exhibit or come to be exhibited in the Court of probate for the said County of Vermilion agreeably to the laws and such good and chattels rights and credits do with and truly administer according to law and all the rest of the said goods and chattels rights and credits which shall be found remaining upon the account of the said administrator, the same being first examined and allowed by the court of probate shall deliver and pay unto such person or persons respectively as may be legally entitled thereto, and further do make a ust and true account of all his acting and doings therein when thereunto required by the said court, and if it shall hereafter appear that any last will and testament was made by the deceased and the same be proved in Court and letter testamentary or administration by obtained thereon and the said John R. Gritton do in such case on being required thereto under said duties of the letter of administrator and perform all other acts which may at any time be requires of him by law, then shall obligation be void otherwise to remain in full force and virtue.
Attest
N.D. Palmer, P.J.P.
John R. Gritton
John Sanders
Jane Gritton
Page 449
State of Illinois
Vermilion County
The people of the State of Illinois
To all to whom these present all come greeting.
Know ye that whereas Mil B. Gritton of the county of Vermilion and State of Illinois died intestate as it is said on or about the 12th day of July 1946 having as the time of his decease personal property in this state which may be lost destroyed or diminished in value if speedy care be not taken of the same to the end therefore that said property may be collected and presented for those who shall appear to have a legal right or interest therein we do hereby appoint John R. Gritton of the County of Vermilion and Sate of Illinois administrator of all and or singular the goods and chattels rights and credits which were of the said Milo B. Gritton at the time of his decease with full power and authority to secure and collect the said property and debts wheresoever the same may be found in this State, and in general to do and perform all other acts which now are or hereafter may be required of him by law.
Witness Norman D. Palmer, probate Justice of the Peace in and for the said county of Vermilion at his office in Danville this 8th day of August A.D. 1846.
N.D.Palmer probate J.P.
1830 census,
Name: Milon Gritton
Home in 1830 (City, County, State):Shaker, Mercer, Kentucky
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 6
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 8
1840 census
Name: Milow B Gritton
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): Vermilion, Illinois
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 2
Free White Persons - Under 20: 8
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 10
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/62944015/milo-b_-grittonMilo married Mary Sims on 8 Oct 1823 in Mercer County, Kentucky. Mary was born about 1805. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
13. Mary Sims was born about 1805. Children:
- Sarah Ann Gritton was born on 15 Sep 1823 in Kentucky; died on 24 Mar 1892; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- 6. William Wesley Gritton was born on 10 Oct 1825 in Mercer County, Kentucky; died on 29 Mar 1884; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Mary Elizabeth Gritton was born in Mar 1828 in Mercer County, Kentucky; died on 12 Mar 1902 in Fort Scott, Bourbon County, Kansas; was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Fort Scott, Bourbon County, Kansas.
- Nancy E. Gritton was born in 1828 in Kentucky; died in Apr 1895 in Alliance, Box Butte County, Nebraska; was buried in Alliance Cemetery, Alliance, Box Butte County, Nebraska.
- Susan Melvina Gritton was born in 1832 in Mercer County, Kentucky; died on 21 May 1911 in Cleburne County, Arkansas; was buried in burial details unknown.
- Isabelle J. Gritton was born on 1 May 1833 in Kentucky; died on 1 Oct 1840 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
14. Jonathan Cox was born on 20 Feb 1807 in Kentucky; died on 12 Apr 1856 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnsonville Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Census: 1850, Pleasant, Johnson County, Indiana
Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/69868615/jonathan-cox
Notes from Find a Grave. Located near Johnson Cemetery. Also known as Humphrey Cemetery or Stewart Cemetery. Not be confused with Thurman Cemetery. The Johnsonville Cemetery is located about 100 yerds from the road in a thick wooded area.Jonathan married Sarah Ann Peggs on 3 Jul 1830 in Oldham County, Kentucky. Sarah was born in 1808 in Kentucky; died on 13 Jul 1892 in Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Stump Cemetery, Collison, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
15. Sarah Ann Peggs was born in 1808 in Kentucky; died on 13 Jul 1892 in Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Stump Cemetery, Collison, Vermilion County, Illinois. Notes:
Name:
daughter of Joseph Peggs and Nancy Cunningham
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/31203157/sarah-ann-cosatChildren:
- 7. Amelia Ann Cox was born on 9 Aug 1835 in Hendricks County, Indiana; died on 25 Apr 1879 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.