“The consolidation of the states into one vast empire, sure to be aggressive abroad and despotic at home, will be the certain precursor of ruin which has overwhelmed all that preceded it”. (Robert E. Lee).

To recognise the very probable ancestry of General Robert E. Lee it is necessary to understand the cornerstone of the English kinship system: English families generally intermarried with other families living within 10 miles of them (a walking distance). English settlers intermarried in Virginia (and sesettled next to) families they had intermarried to in England – a Darwinian game of survival, with families making a careful choice as to affiliations, so as to enhance their social and economic prospects. People married into their own social class.

General Robert E. Lee was very probably from the parish of Wellington, Somerset, on the borders of the county of Devon, much associated with the manor of West-Buckland, some 30 miles distant, which was bestowed, as Wellington, as the property of the bishops of Wells. Wiveliscombe is seven northwest from Wellington, and its church was a prebend belonging to the cathedral of Wells. In the south aisle of St Andrew Wiveliscombe church is a memorial tablet inscribed thus: “Heere rest in asured hope of a joiefull resurrection, through Christ Jesus, the bodies of Humphrey Windham, of Golden-Hill in the parish of Wiveliscombe in the county of Somerset, esq.”Humphrey Windham was the “Lord Farmer” of the manor of Wiveliscombe in 1602, and, as such, his tenants included the family of Bennett, from which came Richard Bennett; elected Governor of the Virginia General Assembley, March 30, 1652; whose great-granddaughter (Mary Bland) married Henry Lee. Richard Bennett’s grandmother, Eleanor Bennett, was the brother of John Bennett, the great-grandfather of Elizabeth Bennett, who married Henry Lee, Sept. 10, 1692, in Wellington, St John; they the parents of Henry Ley, bapt. April 23, 1693, in Wellington, husband of the said Mary Bland.

The Windhams also held land in the manor of Wellington: “John Rosewell v. Humfrey Windham, Thos. Frauncis, Geo. Prowse, Robt. Pirrie, Wm. Budd, Alexr. Walker, Chas. Holway, SymonSaunders, Anty. and Peter Rowsewell, Peter Hite: Meadow and pasture grounds called Langhams, in the parish of West Buckland, and parcel of the manor of Wellington. 1608. (E 134/6Jas1/East11). Many intermarried families shared affiliations to the same overlord, about who they ‘circled’, contriving to marry a son or daughter into his family.

For the purpose of accounts, Wellington and west Buckland were treated as “Wellington and West Buckland Manor”.

A patriarch of the family of Ley was Peter Ley of Buckland, whose Will was probated Nov. 14, 1575; who married Alice Bowerman, sister of William Bowerman, vicar of St. Andrew, Wiveliscombe, in 1562, as follows, who would have officiated at the weddings, baptisms, and funerals of the Bennett family.

The following notice of this family of Lee is not as extensive as could be, but should contain enough material to enable most readers to be confident of its general suggestion as to the origin of Robert E. Lee. These Lees were a substantial family of yeoman farmers, involved in the woollen industry, and who were peripherally connected to the upper echelons of English society. The economic success of such farmers enabled them to provide a good education to their sons, many of which emigrated to Virginia to escape the restrictions imposed on them by the English ‘class system’, and to to forge their own destiny. They were obviously of independent spirit, a quality inherited in full measure by their descendants in Virginia.

LEY (LEE) OF WELLINGTON AND WEST BUCKLAND, SOMERSET

1. John Ley, either he or his son presumably m. a heiress of the family of Farthinge.
1.1. John Ley.
1.1.1. Peter Ley. Will of Peter Ley of Buckland, Somerset, probated Nov. 14, 1575: sons: John, exec., Richard, Thomas, William. Peter Ley alias Farthinge, m. Alice, July 18, 1546, in West Buckland. Farthinge v Cordwent. Plaintiffs: Peter Farthinge alias Peter Ley. Defendants: Henry Cordwent. Subject: oppressive distraints in the manor of Buckland, Somerset.1558-1579. (E 134/39Eliz/Hil20). Alice was Alice Bowerman; see The Visitation of the County of Devon in the Year 1564, p. 25. She was the sister of Cecily Bowerman, who m. Peter Leys’s brother, John; daus. of James Bowerman, and Isabella, dau. of William Carbonell, of Taunton, Somerset. James Bowerman was the son of John Bowerman, of Hemyock, Devon. Bowerman armorial: Ermine on a bend double cotised sable three boars’ heads couped or. Crest: A bulls’ head cotised or attired barry or, and sable. “Bowerman, of Hemyock, Devon. John Bowerman married Joan, daughter of Kirkham, and had issue James; who married Sabel, daughter of William Carbonel of Taunton, Somerset, and had issue Andrew, Lawrence, William,* Henry, Christopher, Hugh, Simon, Joan, (married to Simon Welling); Alice, (to Peter Ley); Cecily, (to John Ley); Melony, (to Robert Webber); Lawrence married Katharine of Cardwell, a Spaniard’s daughter”. (Thomas Westcote, A View of Devonshire, p. 518, 1845). Hemyock is 7 miles from Wellington, and the chief lords of both fees were the Pophams.

*”William Bowerman Bowerman, the nephew of a sub-dean of Wells, was associated with the family of Bishop Thomas Godwyn. He leased land in Westbury and the rectory of Northlode from the bishopric, and his daughter married the bishop’s eldest son. He was admitted a freeman of Wells through his marriage with a freeman’s widow, and was thenceforth active in local affairs. His post of recorder suggests he may have been a lawyer, though no legal education has been found for him. Returned to Parliament by the borough, he served on Commons committees concerning presentations” (May 19, 1572).

“He died between Sept. 18, 1590, when he made his will, and Feb. 23, 1591 when it was proved. He left leases of his property to his wife with reversion to his son Andrew, made bequests to a number of servants, towards the repair of Wells cathedral and St. Cuthbert’s, Wells, and to the poor of three parishes, and made provision for the inmates of the Wells almshouses. To the corporation he left £10 to buy and store coal in summer to be sold at a low price to the poor in winter”. (P.W. Hasler, 1981, ed., The History of Parliament, 1981).

From the reign of King Edward III (1327–1377), the manor of Cumbe in Devon was held by John Bourman/Bowerman. His descendants lived there for seven generations The Bowerman family of Hemyock was descended from Nicholas Bourman of Brooke in the Isle of Wight, by his wife Elizabeth Russell, a sister of John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford (Vivian, pp. 108–9).
Elizabeth Russell was the sister of Ann, wife of John Napier, of Swire, son of Archibald Napier, of Merchistoun, Midlothian, Scotland, and Catherine Douglas, dau. Sir William Douglas, 3rd Baron of Drumlanrig.

1.1.2. John Ley, m. Cecily Bowerman, August 2, 1551, in West Buckland.
1.1.2.1. John Ley, alias Farthing, m. Johane, Nov. 30, 1574.
1.1.2.1.1. William Ley, m. Joan Burchell, Nov. 13, 1615, in West Buckland. Ley v Farthing. Plaintiffs: John Ley alias John Farthing. Defendants: William Farthing alias William Ley. Subject: property in Milverton, Somerset. 1616. ( C 8/14/65).
1.1.2.1.1.1. John Ley, bapt. Aug. 30, 1616.

1.1.2.2. William Ley. Ley v Windham. Plaintiffs: William Ley, yeoman, Alexander Ley his son, Robert Winter of Fitzhead, yeoman and Alexander Ley* of Willington, weaver. Defendants: Humphrey Windham, esq of Wiveliscomb, JP, Francis Norman, yeoman, his servant, John Greedy of Samford Arundell, yeoman, Christopher Upham, James Beard, yeoman, Augustine Norman, servant of John Rolles, esq. of Wiveliscombe, Robert Coram, constable of Buckland, and others. Subject: Assault at Bradford, refusal to arrest the said *Alexander Ley at Buckland, escape from arrest at Wiveliscombe, etc. Somerset. April 1611. (STAC 8/202/11).

1.1.2.2.1. Alexander Ley, m. Emett Thomas, Oct. 25, 1607, in West Buckland. Cade v Drewe. Plaintiffs: John Cade gent of Minehead and Alexander Ley of Wellington, yeoman. Defendants: Edward Drewe gent of Hangford, Walter Sydenham gent of Bampton, George Sydenham his son, Robert Peeson, John Stradlinge, and others. Subject: Carrying pocket weapons contrary to law and rescue of John Pyne esq. and George Pyne gent, from arrest at Curry Mallett. Somerset. June 1621. (STAC 8/107/4).
1.1.2.2.1.1. Robert Ley, bapt. Nov. 8, 1616, in Wellington.

1.1.2.2.1.2. Philip Ley, bapt. Aug. 5, 1621, in West Buckland.

1.1.2.2.1.3. William Ley, bapt. April 18, 1629, in West Buckland.

1.1.2.3. Charles Ley, gent of West Hatch, clerk in the Fine Office. Ley v Frauncys. Plaintiffs: Charles Ley, gent of West Hatch, clerk in the Fine Office, son of John Ley and Cecily Ley his wife and great-grandson of John Ley. Defendants: John Frauncys, esq. Oct. 1611. (STAC 8/196/20).

Humfrey Walrond and his wife Elizabeth. v. Walter Andrews, George Prowse, Charles Lee, “and others.”: Manor of Wellington (Somerset). Touching articles of agreement between the lessees (under the Crown) and the tenants of such manor, particularly as regards right and title to a copyhold tenement of “Old Austre land” in the manor, called “Farthings.” Customs of manor. (The names and possessions of Peter Lee alias Farthing, William Ritherdon, and a grant of the manor by the Crown to William Jefford, and others, are mentioned). Somerset. 39 Eliz.

Francis v Ley alias Farthing. Plaintiffs: Thomas Francis esq. Defendants: Charles Ley alias Charles Farthing of Westhatche, Henry Ley his brother, weaver, Joan Ley wife of the latter, Laomedon Folwer, curate of Wellington, Robert Bowring, Alexander Ley of Bradford and Jervis Stephens of Wellington, weavers, and others. Subject: Destruction during an unlawful church-ale, of glass in the aisle of West Buckland church, claimed by plaintiff Thomas Francis in right of his manor of Gaverston, unlicensed burial there of Cecily Bowerman daughter of James Bowerman of Columb David, Devon, tanner, etc. Somerset. Barnes category: offence against religion; destruction of property; unlawful assembly; assault; conspiracy. New category: religious differences. Sept. 1611. (STAC 8/141/13).

Thomas Frauncys, esq, his son and Henry Cordinge, Edward Harris, Thomas Wescombe, William Pearse, and others, his servants. Subject: Removal of stained glass window and other monuments from an aisle in Buckland church claimed by the said Thomas Frauncys in right of the manor of Garbeston, and riot at the funeral of plaintiff Charles Ley’s mother there. Somerset. Barnes category: offence against religion; destruction of property; unlawful assembly. Oct. 1611. STAC 8/196/20.

Every v Dyer. Plaintiffs: William Every, James Prowse and William Rytherdon. Defendants: James Dyer, Abel Lovering, George Bodington, Edward Clarke, Charles Clevenger, Roger Mallacke, Edward Thrustone, Alexander How, John Vursey, Thomas Vursey, Francis Vursey, James Dye, John Cape, Charles Ley, Richard Troode and others, tenants of Buckland manor alias Bockland manor. Subject: property in Buckland manor, Somerset. 1635. (C 8/39/58).

1.1.2.4. Henry Ley, weaver, m. Joan … Howe v Tristram. Plaintiffs: Alexander Howe, Edward Thruston, James Chamber, Thomas Greedy, Richard Perry and Francis Thomas. Defendants: William Tristram, Henry Barber, Charles Ley, Henry Ley, William Michell, Thomas Foweracre and William Rutter. Subject: property in West Buckland manor, Somerset. 1622. C 8/20/65 . Henry Ley, m. (2) Marye Carpenter, March 11, 1616.

1.1.2.4.1. William Ley, m. Agnes Capell, July 19, 1637.

1.1.2.4.1.1. Thomas Ley, b. ca. 1640. Assignment Alice Wyatt, widow, one of the daus. & surviving adminx. of the goods of Edw. Thruston, decd. (by direction of Edw. Thruston, gent., eldest s. of decd. & with consent of Thos. Ley & w. Thomazine, John Cooke & John Cholwich, & Malchi, Jas., Anne, & Grace Thruston (sons & daus. of sd. Edw. Thruston) to Henry Prockter, merchant. Description: 7 closes called Blackemoore (29a.) and mdw. called Footlandes Meadow (3a.), in Wellington, 1693. (Somerset Arch., DD\SF/1124). May 10, 1683: Thomas Ley & Mrs. Thomazin Thruston. (Somerset Parish Registers, vol. 8, p. 58, 1906).

Edward Thurston, born in Bristol, Jan. 30, 1638 (styled in deeds and probate “Edward Thrustone of West Buckland, Somerset, gentleman”); m. (1) in Va. Oct. 28 1666. Anne, da. of Thomas Loveing, of Martin’s Hundred.“I was married to Ann Loving, the daughter of Mr. Thomas Loving, merchant, the 28th day of October, 1666, at Martin’s Hundred in Virginia, but ye celebration of ye wedding was at ye ch(urch) of Chipoacks in ye same country (Virginia) by Wm. Murray, ye minister”.

1.1.2.4.1.1.1. Henry Lee (by a first wife), m. Elizabeth Bennett, Sept. 10, 1692, in Wellington, St John.
1.1.2.4.1.1.1.1. Henry Ley,* bapt. April 23, 1693, in Wellington, son of “Henry and Elizabeth”. He m. Mary Bland.
1.1.2.4.1.1.1.1.1. John Lee (1724-1767), m. Mary Smith.
1.1.2.4.1.1.1.1.2. Col. Henry Lee II (1730-1787) of “Leesylvania”, who m. Lucy Grymes (1734-1792), dau. of Charles Grymes (1693-1743) and Frances Jennings.
1.1.2.4.1.1.1.1.2.1. Henry Lee (1756-1818), Governor of Virginia, m. (June 18 1793) Ann, dau. of Hon. Charles Carter, Sr. (1737–1802) of “Shirley”.
1.1.2.4.1.1.1.1.2.1.1. Robert Edward Lee, b. Jan. 19, 1807 at “Stratford”in Westmoreland Co. VA; d: Oct 12, 1870, in Lexington, VA. Robert E. Lee was commander of”The Army of Northern Virginia” during the Civil War.
1.1.2.4.1.1.1.2. Edward Lee, son of “Henry and Elizabeth”.

1.1.3. (Will of Alexander Leye, Clothier of Wellington, provedNov. 28, 1581, naming children: William exec., Robert, James, Thomas, Edward, Prudence, and Mary.

BENNETT AND LEE

1. John Bennett.
1.1. John Bennett, bapt. March 1, 1567; d Oct. 17, 1601.
1.1.1. John Bennett, b. ca. 1600.
1.1.1.1. Thomas Bennett, bapt. April 2, 1637, in Wellington. The Bennetts held property in Wellington from 1572. Deeds of properties in Wellington (DD\DP/67/4), incl. close near Sheeplands later called Bennetts close in Westford tithing.
1.1.1.2. John Bennett, b. ca. 1640.
1.1.1.2.1. Elizabeth Bennett, m. Henry Lee, Sept. 10, 1692, in Wellington, St John.
1.1.1.2.1.1. Henry Ley,* bapt. April 23, 1693, in Wellington, son of “Henry and Elizabeth”, m. Mary Bland.
1.1.1.2.1.1.1. John Lee (1724-1767), m. Mary Smith.
1.1.1.2.1.1.2 Col. Henry Lee II (1730-1787) of “Leesylvania”, who m. Lucy Grymes (1734-1792), dau. of Charles Grymes (1693-1743) and Frances Jennings.
1.1.1.2.1.1.2.1.Henry Lee (1756-1818), Governor of Virginia, m. (June 18 1793) Ann, dau. of Hon. Charles Carter, Sr. (1737–1802) of “Shirley”.
1.1.1.2.1.1.2.1.1. Robert Edward Lee, b. Jan. 19, 1807 at “Stratford”in Westmoreland Co. VA; d: Oct 12, 1870, in Lexington, VA. Robert E. Lee was commander of”The Army of Northern Virginia” during the Civil War.
1.1.1.2.1.2. Edward Lee, son of “Henry and Elizabeth” (Bennett).
1.1.1.2.2. Edward Bennett, bapt. Oct. 10, 1682, the Virginia coloniser and major tobacco trader.

1.2. Eleanor Bennett, bapt. March 5, 1568, m. Richard Harris, Oct. 17, 1594, in Wiveliscombe.
1.3. Thomas Bennett, bapt. April, 2, 1570; d. Sept. 26, 1616.
1.3.1. Richard Bennett, bapt. Aug. 6, 1609; d. bef. April 12, 1675; elected Governor of the Virginia General Assembley, March 30, 1652. His first wife was Anne, who was Charles Barham’s sister (see Douglas Richardson, ‘Plantagenet Ancestry’). He was associated with Thomas Harris, d. 1672.
1.3.1.1. Anne Bennett, bapt. Jan 16 1629, in St. Antholin Parish, London; m. (1660) Theodorick Bland; d Apr 23 1671 “Westover”, Charles City Co. She d Apr 23, 1671, in “Westover”, Charles City Co.
1.3.1.1.1. Richard Bland Sr. b. Aug. 11, 1665 in Westover, m. Elizabeth, dau. of William Randolph, and Mary Isham.
1.3.1.1.1.1. Theodorick Bland.
1.3.1.1.1.1.1. Jane Bland, m. William Ruffin, son of John Ruffin and Martha Hamlin, dau. of Richard Hamlin, son of Capt John Hamlin and Elizabeth Taylor, dau. of Richard Taylor and Sarah Barker. John Hamlin was involved in England-Virginia trade, being a partner in 1698 of Richard Bland, John Taylor, and John Hardiman. (Louis des Cognets, Jr., English Duplicates of Lost Virginia Records 1958, p. 224). John Hamlin was the son of Stephen Hamlin, who m. Agnes, she being recorded in a Court at Westover, on Aug. 3, 1665, p. 556: Present: Theoderick Bland, Esq.; Lt Coll. Tho. Drew; Mr John Holmwood; Mr Anthony Wyatt; Capt Otho Southcott; Capt Robert Wynne; Mr Willm Bird.
1.3.1.1.1.2. Mary Bland (b. 1704),m. *Henry Lee,
1.3.1.1.1.2.1. John Lee (1724-1767), m. Mary Smith.
1.3.1.1.1.2.2. Col. Henry Lee II (1730-1787) of “Leesylvania”, who m. Lucy Grymes (1734-1792), dau. of Charles Grymes (1693-1743) and Frances Jennings.
1.3.1.1.1.2.2.1. Henry Lee (1756-1818), Governor of Virginia, m. (June 18 1793) Ann, dau. of Hon. Charles Carter, Sr. (1737–1802) of “Shirley”.
1.3.1.1.1.2.2.1.1. Robert Edward Lee, b. Jan. 19, 1807 at “Stratford”in Westmoreland Co. VA; d: Oct 12, 1870, in Lexington, VA. Robert E. Lee was commander of”The Army of Northern Virginia” during the Civil War.
1.3.1.1.1.2.3. Richard Lee.
1.3.2. Robert Bennett, bapt. Feb. 1, 1602. Robert Benett, of Wellington. Will pr.1634. (Wells , B. 46 , f . 15.
1.4. Edward Bennett, bapt. 2 Feb. 1577, in Wivelscombe; later of of St Olave, Southwark, London, and Lawn’s Creek, Virginia.

Robert E. Lee’s Bennett ancestry strongly suggest his own; a product of inter-related families from a small area of Somerset, England.

copyright m stanhope 2021