Lee County, Virginia Genealogy, Deeds and Probate Records
Lee county was formed in 1793 from Russell County. It was named after Light Horse Harry Lee, the Governor of Virginia from 1791 to 1794. It was during the Revolutionary War that Lee became famous for his exploits as a leader of the Light Troops. Also, Lee was the father of the Robert E. Lee, the famous Confederate General beloved by all Virginians. In 1814, parts of Lee County, Russell County, and Washington county were combined to form Scott County. Also, in 1856, parts of Lee County, Russell County, and Scott County were combined to form Wise county. The county seat is Jonesville, Virginia.
General Index to Wills
- 1793-1944
Child in Esse
It is not uncommon for a wife to be expecting a child at the time that her husband writes his last will and testament, or dies intestate. To learn if this was the fact, one should look for the legal language of “in esse” in the will. It means “in existence”. Otherwise, a complete study of the probate records is indicated.
If the person died intestate (without a will), then the letters of administration, annual returns, vouchers, receipts, sales, inventories, etc. should be closely examined for any activity which resembles the birth of another heir. This includes Inferior Court cases which might be on the books as well as Minutes of the Inferior Court. There are some census records which could help. Say, the husband died in 1841. The 1850 census should reveal the name of the widow and all of her children. Then there is the court for orphans where bonds are given and guardians are appointed. Old newspapers (announcing births and deaths), cemetery plots which contain infant graves, and so on, need to be carefully considered. One of the most interesting facets of researching in Virginia, are the long, well-written wills which name everybody. This is the best source for learning little tid-bits of information which help to form the puzzle.
Digital Images of Some Deeds
Baker, Andrew,Baker, Andrew to William Ely Ball, John Blackmore, John Briance, William to Josiah Dozier Byers, William Dickinson, Daniel to Thomas Warren Dougherty, William Dozier, Josiah to Isaac Craig Dozier Josiah to Sion Minton Ely, John to Thomas Ely Ely, William Fletcher, John Gibson, Robert Hix, James Jones, Frederick to Thomas Warren Lee McMillan, James Patrick, Robert Sharpe, Benjamin Sions, Francis Slaughter, Samuel Stone, Hiram Vandeventer, John.
