It is a relatively simple matter to outline the ancestry of Colonel Richard Lee, of Virginia, as much has been previously researched. It is only a matter of suggesting extra detail. Such detail gives an insight into the extreme complexity of the English kinship system, with its repeated intermarriages between the same families over succeeding generations. In the case of Richard Lee’s family, these marriages pivoted around the Bests and Hancocks, with such as the Machyns and Romneys providing a subsiduary role in the prime aim of securing a familial link to the most influential family in their sphere – the Corbetts. Connections of enhancement and survival.

The familial framework within which the family of Colonel Richard Lee, of Virginia existed is matched in complexity by that which the Bennett family of Wiveliscombe (from whence Governor Richard Bennett, of Virginia) was attached – by those seeking advantageous intermarriage, such as the Blands.

As I wrote in a recent article: ‘Robert E. Lee’s great-grandmother, and her relations, strongly suggest his ancestry; a product of inter-related families from a small area of Somerset, England’. This brings forth an all too common feature of American genealogical constructs – the welding together of those families of the same surname as if they were synonomous. As much as Colonel Richard Lee’s family were of their distinct kinship circle, so was Robert E. Lee’s family the product of another. Such ‘circles’ were generally mutually exclusive in England, and not much less so in the early period of Virginia colonisation.

In the addendum which follows the brief notice of the suggested ancestry of Richard Lee, an excerpt is given from my recent post – GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE – his probable ancestry.

LEE

1. John Lee, of Alvely (1398-1465), m. Joyce Pakington. John Lee lord of Coton grants to Richard Blike jnr and Margerie, John Lee’s daughter 3 fields called the Chetoresnewelond with moors, underwood adjoining. To hold to Richard and Margerie and their corporeal heirs, of the chief lord of the fee. In default of such heirs the property is to revert to the grantor and his heirs forever, of the chief lords of the fee. Aug. 9, 1432. (Shrop. Arch., 3950/23).
1.1. John Lee, of Nordley, m. Elizabeth Corbin, heiress of Thomas Corbin. “The family (of Corbyn) was connected with Shropshire by the marriage of John Luttley with Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Thomas Corbyn and Elizabeth, coheir of Giles Filylode. John Lee of Nordley, Co. Salop, also married Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Thomas Corbyn. The families of Lee and Corbyn were related through the Astleys, of Astley, near Bridgnorth”. (Shrop. Arch. Soc., p. 224, 1894).
1.1.1. Thomas Lee, of Nordley, d. March 16, 1526 (Inq. p.m., 1526), m. Johanna, dau. of Robert Morton, of Houghton, and Jane, dau. of Sir Robert Corbett. Robert Morton was also father of Robert Morton, who m. Joyce, dau. of Thomas Lee, of Langley, by whom: Jane, who m. (in 1558) Thomas Corbett, of Longnor. (Vis. Shrop., 1623). Morton of Haughton. ARMS: Harl. 1241.- Quarterly: 1, Argent, a chevron between three trefoils sable.

1.1.1.1. Humphrey Lee, of Coton (in Alveley parish), m. Katharine (bur. Aug. 20, 1591), dau. of John Blount, of Eye (Yeo). Blount v Abyngton. Plaintiffs: John, son and heir of John Blount of Butterley, and of Elizabeth, his wife, daughter and heir of John Eye (Yeo), and of Eleanor, his wife. Defendants: George Abyngton, fourth husband of the said Elizabeth, and Richard, his brother. Subject: Forgery of a conveyance, in the name of the said Elizabeth, of the manors of Eye and Marsh, in Wistanstow. 1532-1538. (C 1/751/1). Writ precipe to Sheriff of Shropshire ordering George Habyngton to give seizin without delay to John Blount son and heir of Eliz. Blount formerly wife of John Blount esq. decd. son and heir of John de Eye (Yeo) according to the agreement made between them of the manor of Marsh. 1542. (Shrop. Arch., 4229/1/5). Habyngton v Lee. Plaintiffs: George Habyngton (Abynton) of Brockhampton and Elizabeth, his wife, daughter and heir of John of Eye (sic). Defendants: Humphrey Lee of Cotton, co. Salop, gentleman. Subject: Detention of deeds relating to the manor of Eye and of other goods (list given by defendant. Herefordshire. 1533-1538. (C 1/827/49-50).

(1. John Blount of Kynlet (d 1442), m. Alice, dau of Kinard Delabere, d.1402, of Kinnersley in Herefordshire. “He was son of one of the Prince of Wales’ chamberlains and came early to the household of Richard II, being retained as king’s knight 1386. He was also a retainer of the Earl of March, active in war and local administration, serving as MP 4 times from 1384 to 1399 and as JP 1382-90 and sheriff 5 times on many commissions and summoned to Great Council 1401, all from Herefordshire. His arms are derived from the Bohun Earls of Hereford: Coat of arms: azure a bend argent cotised or between six martlets”. (Clemmensen, Willement’s roll of arms. p. 42).
1.1. Humphrey Blount of Kinlet, Sheriff of Shropshire (d 1477), m. Elizabeth, dau of Robert Winnington, and the widow of John Delves, of Cheshire.
1.1.1. Sir Thomas Blount of Kinlet, Sheriff of Shropshire (b. by 1456, d 1525), m. Ann, dau of Sir Richard Croft, of Croft Castle.
1.1.2. John Blount of Eye (Yeo), Herefordshire, m. Elizabeth, dau of John Yeo.
1.1.2.1. John Blount of Eye, m. 1. Anna, dau of Sir Richard Smith, of Bromyard, Heref.
1.1.2.1.1. Elizabeth Blount, m. William Berington.
1.1.2.2. Katherine Blount, m. Humphrey Lee).

1.1.1.1.1. John Lee, of Coton, b. 1628 (father’s i.p.m); Will proved June 14, 1605, m. (1553), Joyce, dau. of John Romney, of Worcestershire, and Ann Berington. Settlement, June 24, 1553, Joyce Romney, only dau. of John Romney, gent, of Lulsley, co. Worcester. She was bur. at Alveley, Dec. 4, 1609; her mother was the dau. of John Berington of Stoke Lacy, Heref.

1.1.1.1.1.1 “Elienor Leye”, b. ca. 1555. m. Thomas Hancocke (d. 1616), Oct. 3, 1573, in Halesowen – formerly a part of Shropshire, but was incorporated into Worcestershire in 1844. Its road was on the trade route that ran through Worcester (25 miles distant) to Twyning (35 miles distant). People lived in localities, rather than within modern concepts of borders. Thomas Hancocke was a brother of William Hancocke, b. ca. 1545, mentioned as “William Hancocke the elder of the city of london“, with his son, “William Hancocke, the younger” in a deed of sale of the manor of Halls Court in Bredon, adjoining Twyning by William Copely, in which “William Hancocke the elder” is decribed as a brother-in-law of “John Best of Twyning“. (Worc. Rec. Office, 705, 397-8/30). William Hancocke the elder was a very rich vintner in London. According to the Worcestershire ‘Visitation’, he m. “a dau. of … Ley of com. Glouc.”, probably referring to the Lee family intermarried with a family from Twyning, Glouc., i.e. Hancocke.
1.1.1.1.1.2. … Lee, m. William Hancocke, b. ca. 1545.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1. Edward Hancock, of Twyning, b. ca. 1570; d. Jan. 26, 1621; Will probated April, 3, 1622, bequesting twenty shillings to “John Lyes his three sonns then under twenty-one“. Jane Hancock’s Will, prob. March 26, 1639, named sons John, Richard and Thomas, and uncle, Thomas Hancocke, as executor.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1. William Hancocke*, b. 1594, father’s exec., of Worcester, sheriff thereof in 1665, d. 1n 1676, aet. 82.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.2. John Hancocke, of Twyning b. ca. 1597, m. “Margaret, dau. of … Best“. This statement from the ‘Visitation’ is (chronologically) referring to a sister of John Best*.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.2.1. Anne Hancocke, bapt. Dec. 27, 1627, in King’s Norton, m. Richard Lee. Their children were born from ca. 1646 onwards.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.3. Jane Hancock,* b. ca. 1600, m. John Lee, b. ca. 1586-1590. She m. (2) John Manning, in Worcester St. Martin, on July 29, 1632; he dying in 1633. Her Will, dated May 31, 1635, named “eldest son, John Lee, son Richard, and youngest son, Thomas”, and her uncle, Thomas Hancocke, as executor. (Probatum 1639, Worcester Consistory Court, no. 1470).
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.3.1. Richard Lee, he aged 34 in 1652 by deposition, completed his apprenticeship (clothier) under his uncle, *William Hancocke in 1640, henceforth emigrating to Virginia, having married his cousin, Anne Hancocke.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.3.1.1. John Lee, not 18 in 1664.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.3.1.2. Richard Lee.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.3.1.3. Francis Lee.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.3.1.4. William Lee.
1.1.1.1.1.2.1.3.1.5. Hancock Lee.
1.1.1.1.1.2.2. Thomas Hancock, b. ca. 1575.
1.1.1.1.1.2.2.1. Thomas Hancock, b. ca. 1600, clothier, of Worcester.
1.1.1.1.1.2.2.1.1. William Hancocke, mentioned in the Will of John Best, as **Richard and Francis Lea, sons of “Colonell Richard Lea“.

1.1.1.1.1.2. Thomas Lee, b. 1561, d. Jan. 14, 1620, m. Dorothy, dau. of Richard Oteley.

1.1.1.1.1.3. Richard Lee, bapt. Oct. 6, 1563 in Alveley Parish, m. (as his 2nd wife), Elizabeth Bendy, on Oct. 21, 1599.
1.1.1.1.1.3.1. John Lee (by his father’s first wife), m. Jane Hancock, bur. Worcester, Feb. 24, 1638, dau. of Edward Hancock, of Twyning, co. Gloucester.
1.1.1.1.1.3.1. John Lee, eldest son.
1.1.1.1.1.3.2. Richard Lee, who described himself as “lately of *Stratford Langton” in his Will of 1663/1664. The operative word being “lately”; he had probably either bought or inherited property in the environs of London from the Hancockes, and would have travelled between London and Virginia in the 1650’s – 1660’s.
1.1.1.1.1.3.3. Thomas Lee, youngest son.
1.1.1.1.1.3.2. Richard Lee. Lacon v Lee. Plaintiffs: Rowland Lacon. Defendants: John Lee and Richard Lee. Subject: messuage and land in Nordley Regis, Shropshire {juxta Coton}, ca. 1615. (C 2/JasI/L11/14).

ROMNEY

1. Sir John Romney, of Lulsley, Worcestershire, b. ca. 1512. Will of John Romney, Gentleman of Lulsley, probate July 14, 1570.
1.1. Joyce Romney, b. ca. 1535, d. Dec. 4, 1609, in Coton, m. John Lee.
1.2. Thomas Romney, Gentleman, of Lulsley, Will prob. Nov. 11, 1590, m. Elizabeth Machyn (Will prob. Nov. 6, 1587), who m. (2) Thomas Best* (variant surname: Beaste, Beste). The Mayor and Burgesses of the cyttie of Glouc. To Thomas Best, one of the aldermen and sherife of the said cyttie of Glouc. Lease of lands in Rodley and Chaxhill formerly in the possession of Christopher Younge and Robert Crompe or one of them, for 31 years. Rent 13s 10d. Jan. 6, 1580. (Glouc. Arch., D3270/140). Will of Thomas Beste, Alderman of Gloucester, May 4, 1587, mentions Thomas, son of his brother, John Best,* and his Romney step-children.
1.2.1. Richard Romney. Rumney v Garnons. Plaintiffs: Richard Rumney of the University of Oxford, gent, son of Elizabeth Rumney who later married Thomas Best late of Gloucester, gent, deceased. Defendants: Luke Garnons gent, Thomas Machin gent, both aldermen of Gloucester and executors of Elizabeth Rumney, and Ancell Sanforde, gent. Subject of decree: Possession of a lease of the rectory of Twyning, Gloucestershire, made by Christ Church Oxford, the term of which was bequeathed to Elizabeth Rumney by Thomas Best. June 6, 1594. (C 78/88/2).
1.2.2. Peter Romney, m. Elizabeth Machyn; she m. (2), Thomas Best.*

Romney Arms : Or , on a fesse per pale azure and gules , three roses or , a mullet for cadency).

BEST

1. …
1.1. *Thomas Best, b. ca. 1530, m. (as 2nd wife), Elizabeth Machyn, on Aug. 25, 1576, sister-in-law of Joyce Romney, wife of John Lee, whose dau., Eleanor, m. Thomas Hancocke. Thomas Best was of Twyning: Thos. Best v. Robt. Treyte, Thos. Pryckett: tithe. 1555. (GDR/B4/3/1229).
1.2. *John Best, b. ca. 1530, brother-in-law of William Hancocke, supra, having m. his sister, Elizabeth, father of Edward Hancocke, whose dau., Jane, was the grandmother of Richard Lee, of Virginia, d. 1663/4.
1.2.1. Thomas Best, b. ca. 1555.
1.2.1.1. Rowland Best, b. ca. 1580.
1.2.1.1.1. John Best, b. ca. 1605, Will proved May 4, 1667. “Item. I give bequeath unto Richard Lea, the sonne of Collonel Richard Lea, tenn pounds“. “Item. I give bequeath unto Ffrancis Lea, another sonne of Collonel Richard Lea tenn pounds and my silver tankard“.
1.2.1.1.2. Margaret Best, m. John Hancocke, br. of Jane Hancocke, who m. John Lee, b. ca. 1586-1590. Their son, Richard Lee, aged 34 in 1652, completed his apprenticeship (clothier) under his uncle, *William Hancocke in 1640/1, henceforth emigrating to Virginia, having married his cousin, Anne Hancocke.

BERINGTON OF WINSLEY

“The name is derived from Berington, in the hundred of Condover, and county of Salop, where Thomas and Roger de Berington were living in the reigns of Edward I. and II. Another Thomas, living in the time of Edward III., married Alice, daughter of Sir John Draycot, Knight, and was ancestor of John Berington, of Stoke-Lacy, in this county, who about the reign of Henry VII. married Eleanor, daughter and heir of Rowland Winsley, of Winsley, Esq. ARMS. – Sable, three greyhounds courant in pale argent, collared gules, within a border of the last”. (Evelyn Philip Shirley, The Noble and Gentle Men of England, p. 92, 1859).

1. John Berington, of Stoke Lacy, Herefordshire, m. Eleanor, dau. of Rowland Winsley.
1.1. William Berington, of Stoke Lacy and Winsley, m a dau. of Sir Edward Lacon, son of Sir Thomas Lacon of Willey and Mary, dau. of Sir Richard Corbet, of Moreton Corbet.
1.1.1. Simon Berington, of Winsley, m (2), Elizabeth, dau. of John Blount, of Eye.  Elizabeth Blount was the sister-in-law of Humphrey Lee, and aunt of John Lee.*
1.2. Anne Berington, m. John Romney.
1.2.1. Joyce Romney, m. *John Lee.

MACHYN

The Will of Henry Machyn of com. Gloucester; prob. May 9, 1567, names s. Thomas* and his wife Christian, s. Henry, d. Mary, d. Margaret, d. Elizabeth and her husband Peter Romney, kinsman John Lawnson, sister Katherine, brother-in-law Mr. Purye, and wife Elizabeth. (Harl. MSS. 1041, fo. 88; 1543, fo. 916). Elizabeth and Peter had issue: Peter, bapt. at St Nicholas, Gloucester on May 28, 1577. On Aug. 25, 1576, Elizabeth, a widow, m. Thomas Best, alderman of the City of Gloucester, at St Nicholas, Gloucester.

*”Thomas Machen, esq., alderman of Gloucester, and thrice mayor of the same, died 1614. Christian his wife, with whom he lived in the state of marriage 50 years, died 1615. There is a plate of this monument, engraved by Bonner, in Fosbroke’s History of the city of Gloucester, but in that engraving the arms of the city are erroneously repeated instead of those of the alderman, viz. Or, a chevron engrailed gules, between three (holly) leaves stalked vert; quartering, azure, a branch of columbine proper, flowered and tied with a ribbon or”. (John Gough Nichols, ed., The Diary of Henry Machyn, Camden Society, 1847/8).

Henry Machyn who d. in 1567 was very likely the diaryst of the same name, b. 1492/3.

“The Diary, in fact, originated from the nature of the writer’s business as a furnisher (merchant taylor) of funeral trappings; and it is at first a mere record of the principal funerals for which he was employed to provide. Commencing in August 1550, he describes two funerals in that and one in the following month, one in October, and several in November, the last of which belongs to Christopher Machyn, his own brother. Henry Machyn has twice noticed the occurrence of his birthday, from which we learn that he was more than fifty years of age at the time the Diary commences, and approaching seventy at the period of its close (1563). His parish, from several passages, is shown to have been that of Trinity the Little, by Queenhithe; and in Trinity-lane adjoining the Painter-Stainers’ hall, in the vicinity of which would live many of the workmen with whom he had so much to do” (ibid.). Thus, he lived ca. 5 miles from Stratford Langton.

ADDENDUM

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. Wellington is 6 miles S.E. of Wiveliscombe, those living on its northern boundary were very close neighbours of those living on the southern border of Wiveliscombe; Cousins divided by a hedgerow.
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.
1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1. Henry Lee (1756-1818), Governor of Virginia, m. (June 18 1793) Ann, dau. of Hon. Charles Carter, Sr. (1737–1802) of “Shirley”.
1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1. 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.
1.1.1.2.1.1.2. Richard Lee.
1.1.1.2.1.2. Edward Lee, son of “Henry and Elizabeth” (Bennett).
1.1.1.2.2. Edward Bennett, 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.
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”, 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. “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).
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. Feb. 2, 1577, in Wivelscombe; later of of St Olave, Southwark, London, and Lawn’s Creek, Virginia.

Robert E. Lee’s great-grandmother, and her relations, strongly suggest his ancestry; a product of inter-related families from a small area of Somerset, England; as much as Richard Lee’s suggest his.

copyright m stanhope 2021