John Lee
John Lee was baptised at St Peter's on the 16th August 1772. He was the son of William Lee. John married Ann Craven at St Peter's Church on the 24th July 1796. They had children: John 1797, George 1800, William 1802, Jonathan 1805, Elizabeth 1808 and Mary 1811. John Lee is described as a spinner.
The gravestone tells us that three of the children died in childhood. George aged 1 year and 6 months; Elizabeth aged 4 years 6 months and Jonathan aged 16. Daughter Mary died age 31. John Lee (senior) died in 1828 aged 54 and his wife Ann died in 1845 aged 73.
The 1851 census shows a William Lee, born in Horbury, of the right age, living in Fawcett's Yard off Pincheon Street, Wakefield. He has a wife Alice and children: Jonathan 34, John 30 and Mary 22. It seems quite possible this is the same William, son of John and Ann since his children all have his siblings names. William is an overlooker in a worsted mill.
The inscription reads:
"In memory of George, son of John and Ann Lee of Horbury, who departed this life on the 2nd day of July 1801 aged 1 year and 6 months.
Also Elizabeth, daughter of the above who departed this life the 20th day of January 1817 aged 4 years 6 months.
Also Jonathan, son of the above who departed this life on the 7th day of June 1821 aged 16 years.
Also John Lee father of the above named children who departed this life the 7th day of February 1828 aged 56 years.
Also Mary, daughter of the above who departed this life the 3rd day of April 1842 aged 31 years.
Also Ann, wife of the above John Lee who departed life August 2nd 1845 aged 73 years."
Helen Bickerdike June 2017
