John Green Lea

1843 - 1935  (92 years)

• Name	John Green Lea  [1]
  Born	1843	Leahurst Plantation, Caswell County, North Carolina   [2]
  Gender	Male
  Died	29 Sep 1935	South Boston, Halifax, Virginia U.S.A.   [2]
  Buried	Mt. View Cemetery (Danville, Virginia)
  Notes	John Green Lea (1843-1935) (click on photograph for larger image) _______________ During the Civil War, John Green Lea was a corporal in the Third North Carolina Cavalry Company C (also known as the 41st North Carolina State Troops). Lea, John G., Corporal. Enlisted in Caswell County May 6, 1862 for the war. Appointed Corporal prior to May 1864. Present or accounted for through October 1864. Source: Caswell Rangers. See his confession with respect to the murder of Senator John Walter Stephens in the Caswell County Courthouse in Yanceyville, North Carolina. Note that in that confession John G. Lea refers to Capt. William Graves as his brother in-law. This is believed to be Captain William Griffin Graves who married Ann Lea, the only daughter among the eight children of Thomas L. Lea and Ann Blount Wright. John Green Lea was living with his sister, Ann Lea Graves (in the household of her husband William Griffin Graves) at the time of the 1870 US Census. Note the value of his real estate in 1870 was $8,000. In 1930 John G. Lea was living on Mt. Vernon Avenue in Danville, Virginia, age 85 and a Civil War veteran shown with the occupation warehouse tobaconist. He was living with his second wife in a rented premises and paying $55 per month. There are two people, at least, in this database named John G. Lea. One was the son of John (Canebrake) Lea and Hannah Slade and died in 1862. The other, this entry, was a Ku Klux Klan leader and died in 1935. Source: The Heritage of Caswell County, North Carolina, Jeannine D. Whitlow, Editor (1985) at 354 (Article #441 "Thomas L. Lea" by Katharine Kerr Kendall). _______________ Thomas Coleman Walters was died in the Civil War at Sussex Courthouse, Virginia, 10 December 1864. When Thomas Coleman Walters was killed John Green Lea made sure that the body was transported back to Caswell County for burial at "North Bend." Lea also gave Thomas's sword to his mother, Katherine Coleman Walters. The Walters family is in possession of a letter written for John Green Lea by his second wife Mildred in which he describes how Thomas Coleman Walters was killed. Apparently, Thomas Coleman Walters was on a horse just in front of Lea at the time. The letter was writen to Charles Stephen Walters, brother of Thomas Coleman Walters. John Green Lea was an honorary pall bearer at the funeral of John Ferdinand Walters, as was Sandy Banks Moore. _______________ The following is from Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography. Richmond, Virginia: 1915: For the early history of the Lea family the searcher must seek in the records of Caswell county, North Carolina, where his task will be an easy one, since for generations that district has contained those bearing the name, their connection with public affairs and enterprises appearing in each generation and filling the annals of the county with their works and deeds. There resided John Calvin [Canebrake] Lea, grandfather of George Addison Lea, a native of the county, who married Hannah Slade, of Caswell county, brother of Nat Slade, a soldier in a North Carolina company in the Colonial army during the revolution. The story is told of Nat Slade that, when the Colonial force had encamped prior to the battle of Guilford Court House, he discovered a Tory spy in the camp, and was so enraged at his presence that he picked him up bodily and flung him into a large log fire about which the soldiers were grouped. Although a member of a family so indissolubly associated with the history of North Carolina, the life activity of George Addison Lea has been in Virginia scenes, and since his fifteenth year he has been a resident of Danville, linked with the business interests of that city at the present time as head of the firm of George A. Lea & Company and as director in several other important enterprises. George Addison Lea was born in Caswell county, North Carolina, April 17, 1857, and in his youth attended the local schools, leaving home at the age of fifteen years to earn an independent livelihood. Coming to Danville at that time he entered the tobacco business, and for two years was employed as floor manager of the Grange Warehouse, after which he established in warehouse business for the sale of leaf tobacco, in partnership with his brother, John G., and J. B. Anderson, under the firm name of Lea, Anderson & Lea. This relation continued for two years and was then succeeded by John G. and J. B. Anderson. Mr. Lea then engaged in the leaf tobacco business and established the firm of George A. Lea & Company, at the present time holding the leading position in the direction of its business, which is extensive and profitable, measuring well with the other institutions of a similar nature in the city of Danville. He is a director of the Danville Knitting Mills, a director of the Danville Fair, and owns considerable land in Caswell county, North Carolina, including the old homestead of his birth. He holds membership in the House Rock Wheel Club, and belongs to the First Baptist Church. He was a prime mover in the organization of the Roanoke Female Institute and active in securing funds for the erection of the buildings housing that institution. Mr. Lea's political activity has always been in behalf of the Democratic party, in whose principles he is a sincere believer. He married Emma M. Betts, born in Halifax county, Virginia, daughter of Captain William S. Betts. Her father, whose wife's maiden name was Faulkner, was a captain in the Confederate army, serving throughout the four years of the war between the states. Of the nine children of Mr. and Mrs. Lea, five are living at this time: George A., Jr., engaged in the real estate business in Columbia, South Carolina; Emma T., married A. A. Booth, of Richmond, Virginia, cashier of the Chesapeake & Ohio railroad; Robert Emmett, a tobacco dealer of Danville; Gladys W., unmarried, lives at home; Daisy W. Through the military services of his ancestors Mr. Lea is a member of the Sons of the Revolution, while Mrs. Lea is a Colonial Dame. _______________ 1860 US Census (Unconfirmed But Likely) Name: A G Lea [initials wrong but birth year close] Age in 1860: 16 Birth Year: abt 1844 Birthplace: North Carolina Home in 1860: Yanceyville, Caswell, North Carolina Gender: Male Post Office: Yanceyville Household Members: Name Age Thos L Lea 54 A B Lea 45 J W Lea 24 R A Lea 19 A G Lea 16 T L Lea 13 M P Lea 11 Sidney Lea 8 Wm Lea 6 Geo A Lea 3 1870 US Census Name: John Lea Estimated Birth Year: abt 1845 Age in 1870: 25 Birthplace: North Carolina Home in 1870: Milton, Caswell, North Carolina Race: White Gender: Male Value of real estate: $8,000 Post Office: Milton 1870 United States Federal Census Name: John Lea Estimated Birth Year: abt 1845 Age in 1870: 25 Birthplace: North Carolina Home in 1870: Milton, Caswell, North Carolina Race: White Gender: Male Post Office: Milton Household Members: Name Age Griffin Graves 32 Ann Graves 26 Bettie Graves 3 Graham Graves 1 John Lea 25 George Lea 13 1880 US Census Name: Jno. G. Lea Home in 1880: Milton, Caswell, North Carolina Age: 36 Estimated birth year: abt 1844 Birthplace: North Carolina Relation to head-of-household: Self Spouse's name: N. T. [Nannie Thomas Lea] Father's birthplace: NC Mother's birthplace: VA Occupation: Farmer Marital status: Married Race: White Gender: Male Household Members: Name Age Jno. G. Lea 36 N. T. Lea 28 Jno. W. Lea 2 W. T. Lea 6M 1910 US Census Name: John G Lea Age in 1910: 66 Estimated birth year: abt 1844 Birthplace: Virginia [most sources show North Carolina] Relation to Head of House: Head Father's Birth Place: North Carolina Mother's Birth Place: Virginia Spouse's Name: Mildred P Home in 1910: Danville Ward 2, Danville (Independent City), Virginia Marital Status: Married Race: White Gender: Male Household Members: Name Age John G Lee 66 Mildred P Lee 46 Banbellan Lee 22 Harry G Lee 19 Wallice B Lee 17 Stanley R Lee 5 Bessie Price 21 [servant] 1920 US Census Name: John G Lea Home in 1920: Danville Ward 2, Danville (Independent City), Virginia Age: 75 years Estimated birth year: abt 1845 Birthplace: North Carolina Relation to Head of House: Head Spouse's name: Mary Father's Birth Place: North Carolina Mother's Birth Place: Virginia Marital status: Married Race: White Sex: Male Home owned: Rent Able to read: Yes Able to Write: Yes Image: 828 Household Members: Name Age John G Lea 75 Mary Lea 54 Stanly R Lea 15 Angie Semones 43 Laura Semones 41 1930 US Census Name: John G Lea Home in 1930: Danville, Danville (Independent City), Virginia Age: 85 Estimated birth year: abt 1845 Birthplace: North Carolina Relation to head-of-house: Head Spouse's Name: Mildred P [consistent with Mildred Powell] Race: White Household Members: Name Age John G Lea 85 Mildred P Lea 66 Stanley R Lea 25 Mildred P Lea 22 Mildred I Lea 2 5/12 Anne Lea 7/12 Family Data Collection -- Individual Record Name: John G Lea Spouse: Nanny Thomas Parents: Thomas L Lea , Anne Blount Wright Birth Place: Caswell, Leahurst Plantat, NC Birth Date: 1843 Death Place: South Boston, Halifax, VA Death Date: 29 September 1935 Source: Edmund West, comp. Family Data Collection - Individual Records. [database online] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2000 Family Data Collection -- Individual Record Name: John G Lea Parents: Thomas L Lea , Ann Wright Birth Place: Caswell County, NC Birth Date: 1842 Death Place: South Boston, VA Death Date: 1935 Source: Edmund West, comp. Family Data Collection - Individual Records. [database online] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2000 U.S., Confederate Pensions, 1884-1958 Name: Jno G Lea Application Date: 22 May 1930 Application Place: Danville, Virginia Birth Year: abt 1844 Birth Place: Caswell County, North Carolina Age: 86 Application Type: Veteran _______________ Following is the transcript of a letter written by John Green Lea to Charles Stephen Walters describing the death of Thomas Coleman Walters: March 18, 1932 Dear Charlie, Your brother Thomas was in my Co. which was Co. C-3-NC-Cal. He vol in the early Spring of 1864 at the age of 18 was in service about 2 months and was killed in the first battle he was in. The place was near Belfield NC He was just in front of me when he was shot through the chest then struck on the head with a gun. I saw him fall from his horse. I went to him as soon as I could. Took his body to a nearby farmhouse had him buried then notified your father. Thomas was an all around fine fellow. Loved by his comrades and a brave soldier. The officers were Capt John Hatchett and Lieut Steve Rice (both dead). With kindest regards I am sincerely John G Lea PS Mr Lea is very feeble so I am writing for him. His Bro Sid died suddenly Wed-was buried yesterday. Mildred. The writing inserted in darker ink was evidently inserted by CS Walters. It reads Col Barringer (He was referring to Rufus Barringer who was actually a Brigadier General) He was with Yanceyville Grays (The 3rd NC cavalry Co. C was actually known as the Caswell Rangers) and his remains were later interred in the Walters cemetery near Blanch, NC. Notes: According to the official records Thomas joined the 3rd NC cavalry July 14, 1863 much earlier than indicated by Mr. Lea. The town of Belfield is actually in Va., though very close to the NC line. At some point Mr. Lea gave Thomas's sword to his mother (Katherine Walters). The sword is presently owned by a Walters family member. Mr. Lea and his wife Mildred are buried in Mt. View cemetery in Danville, VA. Although she speaks of him as being very feeble, he outlived her.
  Person ID	I18015	Devin Timber
  Last Modified	17 Jan 2012

  
  

  Family	Mildred Helen Powell,   b. 09 Nov 1863, North Carolina ,   d. Bef 29 Sep 1935  (Age < 71 years)
  Married	Abt 1875  [3]
  Children	1. Barnett Lea,   b. Abt 1888, Virginia  [Natural]   2. Harry G. Lea,   b. Abt 1891, Virginia  [Natural]   3. Wallace Bruce Lea,   b. Abt 1893, Virginia  [Natural] + 4. Living
  Family ID	F6467	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Sources

  Details: The Heritage of Caswell County, North Carolina, Jeannine D. Whitlow, Editor (1985) at 354 (Article #441 "Thom. Citation Text: Ancestry.Com Family Data Collection (Secondary Source). [S67794] U.S. Census 1930:.