Individual Details

Posted on Caswell County Historical Association mail list, 14 Jan 2011:
James Lea (Shoo-Boot), and the cause of his nickname is left to one's imagination, and his brother John Lea (Canebrake) have been mentioned in many family legends. Both were sons of John Lea [Country Line] who died in 1803 and his wife Winefred whose surname was probably Kavanaugh of Amherst County, Va. They were grandsons of James Lea [Country Line] whose will was probated in 1792 and who came from Spotsylvania Co. VA. about 1752 with his first deed dated 1754 on Country Line Creek. 
About 1765 James Lea (Shoo-Boot) was born in Orange Co., the part that became Caswell in 1777. The marriage bonds of Amherst County, Va. Include one for James Lea, bachelor, of Caswell Co., NC, to Frances Rucker spinster on January 25, 1786. She was a daughter of Ambrose Rucker and his wife Mary Tinsley Rucker. It appears James may have returned to his Mother's home county to find a bride. 
The couple settled on Country Line Creek possibly on some route between New Hope and Stephentown and near Leasburg. His neighbors were the Swanns, Wm. Long, Dr. Comer, and his brother John (Canebrake) Lea. James Lea owned over 1000 acres of land which he devised in his will plus acreage on Goose Creek, Caney Valley, Smith Co. Tennessee. James was a Justice of the Peace. 
His will probated July Court 1835 names the following children: John Lea and James R. Lea who both removed to Tennessee; Tinsley Lea married September 18, 1820 Frances Fuller and by 1835 they were in Maury Co. Tennessee; Rucker Lea died 1839 unmarried; Archibald Lea married July 11, 1821 Lucinda Hendrick; Matilda Lea (1792-1883) married November 2, 1811 Durette Oliver; Nancy Lea (April 23, 1804 - Oct 11, 1874) married 1st on January 17, 1824 Reuben Oliver who died 1837 and she married 2nd Eli Murray of Orange (now Alamance Co.); Alfred M. Lea was in Marshall Co., Mississippi by 1839; and Ashley G. Lea who removed to Missouri. 
Source: The Heritage of Caswell County, North Carolina, Jeannine D. Whitlow, Editor (1985) at 353 (Article #439 "James Lea (Shoo-Boot)" by Katharine Kerr Kendall).


Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions
Caswell County, North Carolina
July Court 1835
Caswell County Will Book M, Page 507.

Will of James Lea, Sen., written 5 July 1832. Wife Frances Lea (house and land during her life adjacent land of John C. Lea, Swan, and Dr. Comer, Alfred Lea, and Reed). Land and property advanced to son John Lea (the Wilson tract 250 acres and money advanced); son James R. Lea (land whereon he now lives 517 acres); son Tinsley Lea already advanced money and horses; son Rucker Lea (money advanced and given land in Smith County, Tennessee, on Goose Creek 228 acres, land later to go to his children); son Archibald Lea (land whereon he lives 255 acres and money advanced).

Daughter Matilda Oliver (money and property advanced). Son Alfred M. Lea (land adjacent to William Long and Tinsley Lea 305 acres and 237 acres where Tinsley formerly lived); son Ashley G. Lea (land on nw side of road, except orchard and stable, and land given to wife after her death). Alfred and Ashley to have blacksmith Peter and smith's tools. Remainder of estate to be appraised and divided to all children.

Executors: friend George Williamson, but if he should die before will executed, son Alfred M. Lea to execute.

Witnesses: Calvin Graves, John G. Lea.

Proved at July Court on oath of John G. Lea and Calvin Graves.

George Williamson qualified as executor.

Source: Caswell County North Carolina Will Books 1814-1843, Katharine Kerr Kendall (1983) at 122.
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Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions
Caswell County, North Carolina
October Court 1835
Caswell County Will Book M, Page 525.

Inventory of the estate of James Lea, Senior, taken 31 July 1835. Included 31 Negroes. Notes on William Lea, James Matlock, Ansel Ware, John Comer, John Hendrick, Daniel Richmond, et al. Cash on hand $2,380.21. Notes on John Campbell, Sen. and Jun. due 1828. John K. Lea, Daniel Hicks, James Fullington, Philip Walton, Stephen Haddock. By George Williamson, Administrator.

Source: Caswell County North Carolina Will Books 1814-1843, Katharine Kerr Kendall (1983) at 122.

Father	John Lea ( - 1803)
Mother	Winnifred Kavanaugh ( - )
Sibling	John Lea (Canebrake) ( - 1839)
Sibling	Benjamin Lea ( - 1833)
Sibling	Jeremiah Lea ( - 1821)
Sibling	Betsy Lea ( - )
Sibling	Living
Sibling	Living
Sibling	Living