Source: Lee Family History, compiled by Virginia Witherington, pgs. 10-12.

JESSE LEE, JR.

JESSE LEE, JR. son of Jesse Lee, Sr. and Elizabeth Blackman of North Carolina was our ancestor who came to Arkansas. He was disowned by his father because he married his father's house servant, Pheraby Bundy. Jesse Lee, Jr. left North Carolina in the early 1830s and came to Pike Co. Alabama near Troy. He sold his land in Sampson N.C. in May 1831 to his brother, Joel. His father died in November 1831.

Jesse Lee, Jr. and his family moved to Bradley Co. Arkansas in 1845 settling on the farm later known as the Broughton place. On this farm he built one of the first cotton gins in the county. Jesse was Clerk of the Shady Grove Baptist [Church] (Jersey, Ark.) from about 1848 until his death in 1863. Jesse Lee, Jr. and his son, Josias both taught school and both were J. P.'s. Jesse Lee, Sr. [sic Jr.] served as J. P. in Pike Co. Alabama. I found documents that bore his name. I think James Samuel Lee, another son, was also a teacher.

Because of the loss of the Bibles of Josias Lee and Jesse Lee, Jr., we do not have authenticated proof of our ancestry. However, due to the wonderful memory of Aunt Zora (Belzora Higgason Martin 1868-1970) we do know that Jesse Lee's wife was Pharaby Bundy*. Many others in the family also remember that name. I have copies of documents relating to the settling of Jesse Lee's estate in Bradley Co. Ark. that give her name as Pharaby.

Mordecai Lee, grandson of Joab Lee, oldest brother of Jesse Lee, Jr. made a statement concerning the children of Jesse Lee, Sr. He gave Pharaby Bundy as wife of Jesse Lee, Jr. I have not found a copy of this manuscript but Blanche L. McCreary gave me excerpts which she had.

As mentioned elsewhere, Jesse Lee, Sr. disowned his son, Jesse Lee, Jr. because of his marriage. In his will he left $5 to Jesse, his son. Others had been granted land, slaves, money, or other possessions in the will or by previous deeds.

Jesse Lee, Jr. bought 332 1/2 acres from his father in Sampson Co. N.C. May 19, 1826 for $100, and he sold the same acreage to his brother Joel Lee May 28, 1931 [sic 1831] for $136.

While living in Pike Co. Alabama, Jesse Lee, Jr. bought a slave Guilford from his brother Jonathan Lee -- This slave is mentioned in Jesse Lee, Sr.'s will -- Sampson Co., N.C. quote ``All my lands that I deeded to James W. Lee and Jonathan Lee my two youngest sons that my Executor and my wife Susannah shall have full power to rent out and use of my wife, if they think proper, during her lifetime. Also to hire out Gilfords and Beads to use of my wife if they think proper.'' -- date 28 October 1831.

On 21st of October 1839 between Jonathan Lee and Jesse Lee (Pike Co. Alabama Deed Book) quote ``In consideration of the sum of two hundred dollars to him paid by Jesse Lee have bargained and sold unto said Jesse Lee one negro man by the name of Gulford supposed to be forty six years old. Which negro I the said Jonathan Lee do warrant and defend unto the said Jesse Lee from and against any other title or claim of whatsoever nature after the death of my mother Susannah Lee.''

All of Jesse Lee, Jr's family came to Arkansas with him except James Samuel Lee. He came about 1858.

JESSE LEE, JR. b about 1805-1806 N.C. d. 7-27-1863 Bradley Co. Ark. md. 2-22-1824 to Pheraby Bundy b ca 1805-1806 N.C. d ca 1868 Bradley Co. Ark. both buried at Lavillian Cemetery -- No markers (Date of marriage from a statement by Mordecai Lee, grandson of Joab Lee and great grandson of Jesse Lee, Sr.)

Date of Jesse Lee, Jr's death from application for Administration of Estate. Date of Pheraby's death from sale of Real Estate. Approximate births from three census records. According to family tradition he had several children before he was old enough to vote.

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* Transcribed from page 15 of Memories of My Childhood, a 15-page, undated memoir hand-written by Belzora Higgason Martin: ``My grandfather Josiah Lee's father Jesse Lee, came to Ark. few years before my grandfather -- great grandfather Jesse Lee's father was very wealthy -- but he disinherited his son Jesse because he married his mother's maid, Pherba Bundy, who was poor and worked for her living.''