Individual Details

Caswell Co, NC
13 Aug 1789: James Lea mentioned as neighbor in John Lea's sale of 158 acres to Charnel Hightower on Country Line Creek; also Thomas Lea, Harralson. Major Lea witnessed.
p.145 DB H, p.225 tract adj Thomas Lea, James Lea, Harralson. Wit: Thos. Vanhook, Major Lea, J. Campbell. Proved Oct Court 1793
[I suspect this John Lea to be the John Lea who lived on Canebrake Creek]

p.177 DB K, p.81 25 Jul 1797 John Lea to James Lea for 45 #'s, 255 1/2 acres on Cane Brake Br adj Stephens.
There were also several John Leas - this one seems to referenced here: p.296 DB Q, p. 32 25 Sep 1809 Hugh Shaw of Person Co to Samuel Henderson of Caswell, 193 1/2 acres adjacent Canebrake John Lea, Donoho Branch. Wit: H. Haralson, Thos Harrison. A deed from DB O suggests that Canebrake was a branch of Country Line Creek.

p.260, DB O, p.80 1 May 1805 James and Jeremiah Lea, exec. of John Lea, Dec'd to Thomas Donoho, 50 acres on Country Line Cr at lower end of John Lea dec'd plantation on Canebrake Branch.



Alexander, James, John, Capt. John, and John Lea are listed in the 1790 Caswell County, North Carolina, Tax List as being taxable in the Richmond District. Yes, there are multiple John Leas.

Zachariah, James, Abner, George, John, Barnett, William, Richard, and William Lea are listed in the 1790 Caswell County, North Carolina, Tax List as being taxable in the St. Lawrence District (which became part of Person County in 1792). Yes, some given names were repeated.

Gabriel and James Lea are listed in the 1790 Caswell County, North Carolina, Tax List as being taxable in the Gloucester District.

Born c. 1776
Source: Heritage of Caswell County at 350 (Article No. 436)

Benjamin Lea was bondsman for the marriage of Hannah Slade to John Lea.

In the Guardianship Accounts for Caswell
1823, p. 156 John Lea was guardian of Betsy Ann & Mary L. Willson. He had rec'd of George Williamson & Nathaniel Lea, exec. of George M. Willson, dec'd. [John's daughter Mary was married to George M. Wilson and John's will states that he raised Mary's children.]


Caswell Co WB N, April Court 1839.
p.337 Will of John C. Lea, written 25 Apr 1838. Wife Hannah to have 1/9 part of estate including mansion house and 200 acres for life, then to all children living and offspring of those not living. Daughter Elizabeth Graves. Son Sidney S. Lea - 300 acres adj his mother & to have the mansion house after her death. Son Thomas L. Lea - land on north side Country Line Creek adj the homestead. Son John G. Lea - property already advanced him. Son Nathaniel Lea - property already advanced him. Children of deceased daughter Mary Wilson which he has raised. Sons-in-law Jeremiah Graves and wife Delilah; Calvin Graves and wife Elizabeth; George Williamson and his departed wife. Granddaughters Betsy Ann & Mary L Lea - property already advanced. Remainder to be sold. When selling slaves separation of husband & wives, parents & children, to be avoided. Aged slaves to be supported. Each child to have 1/8 part of residue.
Exec: Sons Nathaniel, John G., Thomas L., Sidney S., plus three sons-in-law
Wit: John Kerr Jr., Eleanor Swann.
Calvin Graves & John G. Lea qualified as executors.

Jul Court 1839
p.345 Sales of estate of John C. Lea, dec'd on Mar 18 & 19 and May 17, 1839. Buyers included Calvin Graves, John G. Lea, Col. Wm. Lea, Hutchins Burton, Jeremiah Graves, Thomas Lee Sen., Gen. Barzillai Graves, Mrs. Hannah Lea, Archibald Lea, Elijah Graves Sen., Sidney S. Lea, Thomas L Lea, Nathaniel Lea, etc.

Mar Court 1840
p.72 12 Mar 1839 Division of negroes, eight parts, of John C. Lea, dec'd: George Williamson [husband of dec'd daughter Rebecca]; Sidney S. Lea; William Smith and wife Betsy Ann and William Lea and wife Mary; Jeremiah Graves [husband of Delilah]; Calvin Graves [husband of Elizabeth]; Nathl. Lea; Thos. L. Lea; John G. Lea.
Note: the way this is written, it would appear that Betsy Ann Smith, wife of William, and Mary Lea, wife of William Lea, the daughters of deceased daughter Mary Lea Wilson - are sharing one of the eight parts.

Marriage	22 Jan 1793	Caswell County, North Carolina - Hannah Slade
Death	Bef Apr 1839	Caswell County, North Carolina

Spouse	Hannah Slade (1767 - )
Child	Rebecca Slade Lea (1798 - 1837)
Child	Delilah S. Lea (1799 - 1838)
Child	Elizabeth Lea ( - )
Child	Thomas L. Lea (1806 - 1867)
Child	Sidney Slade Lea (1810 - )
Child	John G. Lea ( - )
Child	Nathaniel Lea ( - 1855)
Child	Mary Lea ( - 1838)

Father	John Lea ( - 1803)
Mother	Winnifred Kavanaugh ( - )
Sibling	James Lea (Shoo-Boot) ( - )
Sibling	Benjamin Lea ( - 1833)
Sibling	Jeremiah Lea ( - 1821)
Sibling	Betsy Lea ( - )
Sibling	Living
Sibling	Living
Sibling	Living