Solomon Ambrose Lee
1873 - 1952 (79 years)
Generation: 1
Generation: 3
Generation: 4
1. Solomon Ambrose Lee was born on 16 Apr 1873 in Illinois (son of John Sowders Lee and Rachel Cosat); died on 19 Oct 1952; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/47074096/solomon-ambrose-lee
2. 
John Sowders Lee was born on 12 Jul 1844 in Vermilion County, Illinois (son of Squire Edward Lee and Fannie Sowders); died on 15 May 1919 in Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Notes:
Commercial News
Danville, Il
16 May 1919
JOHN S LEE DIES AT HIS COUNTRY HOME
PROMINENT FARMER HAD BEEN A SUFFERER FOR YEARS; PARALYSIS
John S Lee, one of the best known residents of Blount township, died at 12:30 o’clock Thursday afternoon at his home for and ½ miles northwest of the city. He had resided there for 70 years. Thirteen years ago he was stricken with paralysis and for more than a year following the seizure was in a critical condition, but had greatly improved. Two weeks ago he suffered a second attack. Mr Lee was born July 12, 1844, in Crawford County and came here when barely past four years of age. He lived forty years on the farm his father had located and thirty years on the place nearby which he himself owned. He is survived by three sons and two daughters, SA Lee, Chicago Heights; WH Lee, Danville; Ardella, wife of CA Shanks, Collison; and Clara, wife of CB Bath, a farmer residing near the Lee home. Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock from the residence, with interment at the Gordon Cemetery, northwest of the City.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/12763675/john-sowders-leeJohn married Rachel Cosat. Rachel (daughter of David Cosat and Nancy Truax) was born in 1850 in Illinois; died in 1926; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
3. 
Rachel Cosat was born in 1850 in Illinois (daughter of David Cosat and Nancy Truax); died in 1926; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/12763670/rachel-leeChildren:
- David Squire Lee was born in 1870; died in 1888; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- 1. Solomon Ambrose Lee was born on 16 Apr 1873 in Illinois; died on 19 Oct 1952; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- John Cosat Lee was born on 6 Nov 1876; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
Generation: 3
4. 
Squire Edward Lee was born on 1 Oct 1814 in Mercer County, Kentucky; died on 4 May 1880 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Census: 1850, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1860, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1870, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
Notes:
note on Find a Grave:
Son of William Henry Lee and Sarah Crockett.
One large gravestone marks the graves of Squire Edward and wife Fannie Sowders Lee at Gordon Cemetery on the west side of Lake Vermilion. The inscription reads:
"Weep not dear children
Disturb not my rest
My Saviour has called me
He thought it best."
There is a persistent Lee Family Legend that Squire is a third cousin of General Robert E. Lee. Squire was a Lincoln supporter and strong Union man during the Civil War. Squire seemed to disapprove of his distant cousin's betrayal of the Union. Squire is thought to have destroyed evidence connecting him with the Virginia Lees. Although the Legend remains unproven, the family resemblance is striking.
Lees Had Ties To Land of Lincoln
Squire Lee of Blount Township, Gen. Lee Were 3rd cousins
by Larry Weatherford, The Commercial-News, Danville, IL, August 26, 2012
In 1829, just one year before Tom Lincoln, his wife and children made that now-famous move to Illinois, a man named William Henry Lee settled with his family here in Vermilion County. Both family names would soon be marked indelibly into the history books of America.
There were a lot of Lees on the early census rolls of Vermilion County. By 1860, William Henry Lee’s son, Squire Edward Lee, was a well-known and respected landowner and farmer with a family of his own. It was an election year, and Squire Edward voted for Tom Lincoln’s son, Abraham, who had spent a good deal of time in Vermilion County himself over the past 20-some years.
Little did either family know that this Western state they were calling home would one day be known as the “Land of Lincoln.” Or that one of the most respected officers in the United States Army, a third cousin of Squire Edward Lee, would soon lead the forces of a new Army for the Confederate States of America in what Lincoln would call a “great Civil War.”
Squire was Lee’s first name, not a title, even though the Lees were about as close to titled gentry as you could come in America. His line of the Lee family included two signers of the Declaration of Independence, an attorney general of the United States, two governors, and the Revolutionary War hero who would make the famous statement at George Washington’s funeral: “First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen.”
Those were just some of the renowned Lee family members. The most famous Lee relative was just beginning to achieve his fame. Among his achievements, Robert E. Lee had been a hero of the Mexican War, engineered the port at St. Louis, MO, and had led the capture of John Brown at Harper’s Ferry.
When southern states started to secede, Robert E. Lee chose to turn down an offer to be the commander of the Union forces. He then resigned his post in the U.S. Army, and accepted a commission in the new Confederate States Army. Most of Lee’s immediate family went along with his decision and followed him into the service of the South.
That choice didn’t come without some division in the Lee family. Not only did Squire Edward Lee support the Union while living in Illinois, but many of Lee’s other cousins and family members in Virginia also aligned with the Union. One would even become a rear admiral in the U.S. Navy.
Squire Edward Lee’s homestead and the majority of his land holdings were in Blount Township near what is now Hungry Hollow Road past Woodbury Hill. He lived there with his wife, Fanny, and their children. Other farmland he owned was near Catlin.
It is doubtful that Squire Edward let his friends and neighbors know that he was related to Robert E. Lee, since he was living in the home state of the commander-in-chief of the Union forces. Some of Squire’s descendants believe he tried to hide that fact because he was living in northern territory. They have wondered about their relationship to the famous Lee family for many years, and some say the records were intentionally made unclear on the lineage.
Descendants of another William Henry Lee who also had moved to Vermilion County in 1829 could not establish a tie to the famous Lee family. They even tried DNA testing, and found that they were not related to Robert Edward or Squire Edward Lee.
Even though the records were somewhat muddy as to the relationship of Squire Edward to Robert E. Lee, my friend and fellow researcher, Alan Woodrum, and I were on the track of what one descendant had called a “silver bullet” that tied Squire to the famous Lee family.
Third cousins:
While I was poring over books and genealogy information on the Lee family, Alan e-mailed to let me know that he had found the connection. As we had thought, it was on the Richard Henry Lee side of the family. Rather than second cousins as the oral family history had indicated, Robert Edward and Squire Edward were third cousins.
Squire’s mother was Sarah Crockett Lee. So, as you might expect, the family history has it that she was related to frontiersman, Congressman and hero of the Alamo, Davy Crockett. That has yet to be proven.
Squire Lee died on May 4, 1880. He and several of his family members are buried in the Gordon Cemetery near Lake Vermilion.
Posted with approval of Larry Weatherford,
October 19, 2014
Name:
son of William Henry Lee and Sarah Crockett
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/12763683/squire-edward-leeSquire married Fannie Sowders on 16 Jun 1836 in Vermilion County, Illinois. Fannie (daughter of John Sowders and Elizabeth Guthery) was born on 22 Jan 1820 in Ohio; died on 23 Jun 1893 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
5. Fannie Sowders was born on 22 Jan 1820 in Ohio (daughter of John Sowders and Elizabeth Guthery); died on 23 Jun 1893 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/12763686/fannie-leeNotes:
Married:
Marriage License Abstracts Vermilion County, Illinois 1826-1852. Page 44. William Lee, father, signed permission for Squire Lee. John Sowders signed for Fanny.Children:
- William Henry Lee was born on 18 Nov 1837 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 12 Oct 1921 in Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried on 13 Oct 1921 in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Clarissa Lee was born on 9 Feb 1840 in Illinois; died on 21 Mar 1933 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried on 24 Mar 1933 in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- 2. John Sowders Lee was born on 12 Jul 1844 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 15 May 1919 in Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Andrew Jackson Lee was born on 7 Apr 1848 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 2 Sep 1906 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Peter Milton Lee was born on 6 Jun 1851 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 3 Aug 1925 in Kankakee, Kankakee County, Illinois; was buried on 7 Aug 1925 in Kankakee State Hospital Cemetery, Kankakee, Kankakee County, Illinois.
- David Crockett Lee was born on 6 Jun 1858 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 20 Jun 1940 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
6. David Cosat was born on 10 Oct 1812 in Mercer County, Kentucky; died on 26 Feb 1886 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Fairchild Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Census: 1850, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1860, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1870, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
Notes:
Note on Find a Grave:
As a young man of twenty years, my Great, Great Grandfather, David Cosat, son of the Reverend Jacob Cosat, set out from Mercer County, Kentucky and settled in the new state of Illinois. In 1835 he purchased and homesteaded 80 acres in what was to become Blount Township of Vermilion County. He wed Nancy Traux in 1836 and fathered twelve children, six of whom lived to adulthood. A successful farmer, in 1849 he acquired additional lands, bringing his total holdings to 235 acres. In 1886 David passed to his reward and was buried alongside his wife in Fairchild Family Cemetery about 2 miles from the original 1835 Cosat homestead. Fairchild Cemetery is now part of the Illinois Nature Preserve.
Death of an old citizen.
Correspondence Danville News.
We are sad to state the fact of the death of David Cosat, familiarly known as "Uncle Davey", which occurred last Friday at 2 o'clock p.m. The funeral was preached at Union Church last Sunday, to a large and attentive audience, by Rev. Oscar B. Gravat, from the 19th Psalm and 11th verse "Morever is thy servant warned, and in keeping of them there is great reward."
To attempt to give even an outline of the sermon would seem to be a utter failure on my part, so that I will only say that he dwelled on the w9th Psalm some time and then turned to the precious promises contained in the 21st chapter of Revelations.
After the funeral sermon the Rev Hubbard spoke a few words to the afflicted family, and the casket was opened for the friends to take a last look at the remains, then it was conveyed to the wagon by the pall bearers, and was taken to the Fairchild Graveyard for interment. Owing to some misunderstanding not as many followed as intended. The community joins in sympathy for the friends of the deceased, who have gone on before them.
David Cosat was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, October 10, A.D. 1812; came to Illinois in the spring of 1834, where, on January 14, 1836, he was married to Nancy Truax, by whom he became the father of 13 children, 4 sons and 9 daughters, of whom 7 preceded him to the spirit world. Was married again January 15, 1880, to Mrs. Sarah A. Cox, who still survives him. He obeyed the Gospel and became a christian in 1836 in which faith he lived till February 26, 1886 , when he gently and joyfully passed away, aged 73 years, 4 months and 16 day.
March 2, 1886. Capitolia.
Newspaper clipping from Cora (Gritton) Hedges.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/26405716/david-cosatDavid married Nancy Truax on 14 Jan 1836 in Vermilion County, Illinois. Nancy was born on 9 May 1817 in Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky; died on 8 May 1858 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Fairchild Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
7. Nancy Truax was born on 9 May 1817 in Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky; died on 8 May 1858 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Fairchild Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Notes:
Name:
daughter of Benjamin Truax and Martha "Mary" Partlow
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/26628597/nancy-cosatNotes:
Married:
Marriage License Abstracts Vermilion County, Illinois 1826-1852. Page 17. Benjamin Truax, father, signed permission for Nancy.Children:
- John James Cosat was born on 31 Mar 1844 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 3 Sep 1918 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried on 5 Sep 1918 in Spring Hill Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Susan Jane Cosat was born on 22 Mar 1846 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 11 Mar 1849 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Fairchild Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- 3. Rachel Cosat was born in 1850 in Illinois; died in 1926; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- David Cosat was born on 27 Oct 1852 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 29 Jan 1933 in Catlin, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
Generation: 4
10. John Sowders was born in 1796 in Virginia; died on 12 Nov 1858; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Census: 1850, Vermilion County, Illinois
Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22842803John married Elizabeth Guthery on 30 Jul 1812 in Ross County, Ohio. Elizabeth was born in 1795 in Pike County, Ohio; died in 1880 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
11. Elizabeth Guthery was born in 1795 in Pike County, Ohio; died in 1880 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Notes:
Name:
daughter of William Guthery and Catherine Theobald
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/88023155/elizabeth-sowdersChildren:
- Cynthia Ann Sowders was born on 11 Jun 1822 in Pike County, Ohio; died on 26 Feb 1906 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- 5. Fannie Sowders was born on 22 Jan 1820 in Ohio; died on 23 Jun 1893 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Elizabeth Sowders was born in 1836 in Illinois; died on 9 Jan 1911 in Wadena County, Minnesota; was buried in burial details unknown.