Lees Timeline

Lees Timeline
1762 to 1885

See bottom of page for surety, overview, paternal line & references.
Created: by Phil Lees 24th March 2003
Update: 2nd April 2003
errors & omitions accepted
© copyright 2003

NOTE: ALL AGES OF PERSONS BELOW ARE APPROXIMATED TO GIVE AN IDEA OF HOW OLD THEY WERE AT THE TIME OF EACH EVENT

1760 Circa Thomas Lees (1) Birth, (2 x candidates in order of nearest match, with "search of LDS" 1756 - 1766 living within 25 miles radius of Birmingham).
1. IGI - Parents Thomas (0) & Jane, Christening: 11th November 1762 Polesworth, Warwick. (Surety 0)
Note: Reoccurance of the fathers name Thomas again & 20 miles to Birmingham.
2. IGI - Parents John & Sussanna Lees, Christening 5th February 1757 Coleshill, Warwick. (Surety 0)
Note: 13 miles to Birmingham.

1781 October 3rd Thomas Lees (1) & Sarah Powis Marriage, Saint Martin, Birmingham, Warwick, England.
St Martin, is in the centre of Birmingham & approx 27 miles from Bond End (Surety 2)

1788 September 14th Thomas (2), Son of Thomas (1) & Sarah Lees baptised in the parish of St. Modwen, "Bond", Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire. (Surety 3)

1797-1807 circa these dates Thomas Lees (2) was a Cooper, probably making barrels with his father for the local mill at Bond End or for the famous Burton breweries, which were expanding at an extaordinary rate during this period. In 1825, the famous JW Lees brewery (no family connection) was founded.

1807 November 6th Thomas Lees (2) aged 20 started his first day in Warwick as a Private with the 19th Regiment of Lancers (also known as the 19th Light Dragoons) & was enlisted for unlimited service. (Surety 3)

1811–1824 The 19th Dragoons regiment which later became the 19th (Princess of Wales's Own) Hussars holds a battle honour for Niagara. In 1813-14 two squadrons, which had been sent out to America, saw some very rough service on the Niagara Frontier. The regiment named The 19th Lancers was disbanded on 10th September 1821 Ref: http://www.lightinfantry.org.uk/regiments/Canada/can_cavalry.htm (Surety 4)

1811 May 13th Thomas Lees (2) aged 23 was promoted to Corporal after 3 years & 188 days service (Surety 4)

1811 Circa Thomas Lees (2) aged 23 from Burton Marries Elizabeth Grady aged 18 from Dublin (Surety 0)

1812 Circa Thomas Lees (2) aged 24 went to "North America", (Canada) with the 19th Lancers. (Surety 2)

1813 October 6th Thomas Lees (3) is born in Montreal, Canada. (Surety 2)

1817 March 26th Thomas Lees (2) aged 29 promoted to Sergeant after 5 yrs & 317 days as a Corporal. (Surety 4)

1817 Thomas Lees (2) aged 29/30 completed active service in North America (Canada). (Surety 1)

1816 December 30th Denis Lees is born in Montreal, Canada. (Surety 1)

1821 August 29th Thomas Lees (2) aged 33, lists on his Statement of service; Conduct as a soldier; Excellent, Age; about 34 years, Height; 5ft 8½, Hair; brown, Eyes; grey, Complexion; fresh and a Cooper by trade. The statement shows he did not having any service prior to the age of 18, or a Trumpeter, Drummer, Quartermaster Sergeant, or Sergeant Major. (Note: The word "Sergeant" is printed "Serjeant" on this document). (Surety 3)

1821 September 6th Thomas Lees (2) resides at Ennis, near Dublin in Ireland, Duplicate of discharge papers, lodged in Kilmainham Hospital, Ireland to arrange for him to be examined on 31st December 1821 "to decide on his claim to the "Out Pension". (Surety 4)

1821 September 10th Thomas Lees (2) aged 33 leaves the army before completion of service, after 4 Years 169 days as a Sergeant & a total of 13 years 309 days service to date.(Surety 4)

1821 September 11th Thomas Lees (2) aged 33 stays out of the army for a period of 2 year 108 days. He is allowed on his final discharge half this period (1 year 54 days), towards his pension. (Surety 3)

1823 December 29th Thomas Lees (2) aged 36 Re-enlisted as a Private in the 8th Kings Royal Irish regiment of Hussars.(Surety 4)
Thanks to the official website: http://www.regiments.org/milhist/uk/cav/D08h.htm for a copy of the regimental emblem

1825 March 12th Thomas Lees (2) aged 37 is promoted from Private to Corporal after 1 year 73 days. (Surety 4)

1825 October 29th Thomas Lees (3) on his 13th Birthday joins his fathers regiment, the 8th Kings Royal Irish regiment of Hussars in the county of Middlesex. He is described at his attestation as being born in Montreal, the son of a soldier. Of no trade, 4ft 5" tall, complexion fair, eyes grey & hair light brown. (Surety 3)

1826 April 11th Thomas Lees (2) aged 38 is promoted from Corporal to Sergeant after 1 year 30 days (Surety 3)

1828 December 31st Thomas Lees (2) aged 41 has credited 20 yrs 1 day towards his pension (including his 1 year 54 days of allowed discharged absence). (Surety 4)

1829 January 11th James Lees is born in Dublin, to Thomas Lees & Elizabeth Lees (nee O'Grady) (2). (Surety 3)

1830 October 29th Thomas Lees (3) on his 18th Birthday, now starts to accrue service time towards his army pension, after already already serving 5 years. (Surety 4)

1833 June 9th Thomas Lees (3) aged 20 is promoted to Trumpeter after 7 years & 223 days service. (Surety 3)

1834 November 3rd Thomas Lees (3) age 22 had "Horse Guards" authority to transfer to 11th Dragoons on 1st December 1834, but transfer & leave were cancelled on 18th November 1834, so he rejoined the 8th Hussars. We may never know whether it was Thomas (2) choice to return to the 8th Kings Royal Irish regiment of Hussars, or if Thomas (2) had influenced the result, or if there was a third party or reason? (Surety 2)

1834 November 23rd Thomas Lees (2) aged 47, Troop Sergeant Major of the 8th Kings Royal Irish regiment of Hussars stationed at Coventry Barracks was discharged at his own request, to retire on a moderate rate of pension. Thomas stated that he had "served with the 19th Lancers from 1813 to 1817", however the 8th Hussars claimed "at that time they had "no official documents in their possession to prove or disprove that statement" and credited Thomas with his full 25 years 328 days service in the army. Lieutenant & Adjutant O’Reilly were of the opinion the Thomas’s conduct & character were that of a good and efficient soldier. (Surety 2)

1834 December 10th Thomas Lees (2) aged 47 served his last day in the army, adding a further 17 days to his service. He was described as 5ft 8" in height, grey hair, grey eyes, fair complexion & by trade a cooper. At the time of his discharge he was the Pay-Sergeant of his troop which was confirmed & signed on this day by "Horse Guards". (Surety 3)

1836 June 28th Denis Lees aged 18 joins the 1st Dragoons in Dublin. registered as Private no. 500. After 9 years 45 days is promoted to Corpoal on 13th August 1845. (Surety 4)

1836 June 30th Denis Lees aged 18 gets his first 3 days pay from the army at One shilling & fourpence a day, with a one of bounty payment of 2 Pounds & 2 shillings, bringing in a total of £2.4s. There was an extra payment to the party, for attesting or conducting recruits which was 2s.6p for London & Coventry, but a massive 11s for Dublin... (Did the extra eight shillings & sixpence, influence on Denis to join in Dublin?) (Surety 2)

1836 November 1st Thomas Lees (3) aged 24 transferred to 1st Dragoons in Dublin to be with his much younger brother Denis. (Surety 2)

1839 September 23rd Thomas Lees (3) aged 26 after 2 years 327 days as a Private in the 1st Dragoons was on his last planned day in the army." (Surety 3)

1839 September 23rd Thomas Lees (3) aged 26, spent 25 days in hospital & report was as follows: "Private Thomas Lees is recommended for discharge, in consequence of Pulmonic Disease and threatened Phthisis induced by exposure to cold and wet in a constitution much predisposed to that complaint. Conduct while under treatment has been very good. – J. Bartley MD, Surgeon Royal Dragoons, Sheffield. The Regimental Board agreed with the opinion of the surgeon. (Surety 3)

1839 November 5th Thomas Lees (3) aged 27 was in the opinion of the Principal Medical Officer at Chatham, after a treatment of 25 days in this G. Hospital was of the opinion that Thomas was unfit for service and was permanently incapacitated for military duty by advanced pulmonary consumption. (Surety 3)

1839 December 11th Thomas Lees (3) aged 26 had served over 3 years in the 1st Dragoons collected a total of 9 years 16 days towards his pension & spent over 14 years of his life in the army as a Private. (Surety 4)

1842 James Lees aged 13 joined the "11th Regiment at foot" (North Devonshire). (Surety 0)

1845 James Lees aged 16 is in Australia (or Tasmania). (Surety 2)

1845 August 13th Denis Lees aged 27 is promoted from Private to Corporal in the 1st Dragoons & after another 4 years 65 days, on 20th October 1849 he is promoted to Sergeant. (Surety 4)

1849 October 20th Denis Lees aged 31 is promoted to Sergeant and in possession of good conduct pay at £1 per diem from 1/1/1845 to 20/10/1849. He was appointed Hosp'l Sergeant & then back to Sergeant for over the next 6 years, till 11th July 1856, when he was Court Martialed. (Surety 4)

1851 James Lees aged 21 marries Anne Gilchrist in Sydney, Australia. (Surety 2)

1851 James Lees aged 21 was one of the group that helped to set out the cricket ground when a grant of land to the south of Victoria Barracks was given to the British Army for use as a soldiers cricket ground and garden. It is now This is now Sydney Cricket Ground (info from Judith March 2004)

1853 James Lees joined the Detective Force, rank colour sergeant (info from Judith March 2004).

1853 Thomas Lees aged 41 marries Hannorah O'brien aged 25 in Sydney, Australia. (Surety 2)

1854 Circa Denis Lees aged 35 was involved in Crimean War (1854-1856) Britain, France, Sardina, and Turkey vs Russia - Charge of the Light Brigade - Oct 25, 1854 Balaklava, Crimea" Source: Frank Lees (Surety 3)

1856 Circa Denis Lees aged 37 returned home from active service the Crimean war & was awarded the Turkish medal & three clasps on the Crimean medal. (Surety 4)

1856 July 11th Dennis Lees aged 37 was detained & court martialed on 30th July 1856, whilst in the 1st Dragoons at Newbridge. He was sentenced to 112 days & demoted from Sergeant to Private. Reduced, D. The charge was Violence, Threatening Language & Absence, on 19th July 1856. Source ref: WO86/8 1829-1971 Court Martial Registers Home & Abroad. Page 157 (Surety 4)

1856 September 26th Denis Lees aged 37 was demoted from Sergeant to Private & released from confinedment. For the next 117 days to 31st March 1867 he earned 3d per mission? for good conduct, however 1d was forefit due to the above court martial. By 1st October 1837 he was back on 4d good conduct pay as a Private. (Surety 4)

1857 November 1st Denis Lees aged 39 was promoted back from Private to Corporal (Surety 4)

1858 February 21st Denis Lees aged 39 Child born (#1): Elizabeth Agnes Lees (1858-1941). Born in Chelsea, London, Middlesex, England. Died in 1941 in Darlington, England. (Surety 4)

1858 October 1st Denis Lees aged 40 was promoted back from Corporal to Sergeant. He stayed as a Sergeant until his discharged on 7th February 1861. (Surety 4)

1860 June 25th Denis Lees aged 41 Marriage to Sarah Parsons aged 29 (1830-1919). In Parish Of St Margaret, Westminster In The County Of Middlesex, London, England. both living at 25 Charles Street London (according to London records office it is now called "Charles 2nd St") Witnesses to marriage were James Cleary (or O'Leary?) and May Ann Harrison (Surety 3)

1860 June 25th Thomas Lees (2) aged 73 is shown as a Glasscutter by trade on Denis & Sarah's Marriage Certificate.. (Surety 2)

1861 March 5th Denis Lees aged 42 years & 2 months leaves the army for a pension at the rate of One shilling & eleven pence halfpenny. He is described as, fresh complexion, Dark Eyes & Brown Hair & 5ft 10", was in Dublin, heading for his Intended place of residence, London. Discharge papers signed today. Sergeant of 1st Dragoons, by trade a servant was born in the parish of Birmingham, county of Warwick & was attested for the 1st Regiment of Dragoons at Dublin, in the county of Dublin on 29th June 1836 at the age of 18 yrs. Service up to date 24 years 147 days, during which he served abroad for 2 years in Turkey & the Crimea Discharged at his own request. His conduct has been good & he was in possession of 4 good conduct badges when promoted to rank of Sergeant. He has a Crimean Medal with 3 clasps, also a Turkish Medal. Twice interned in the By'th??? Defeilter?? Boo?. Once tried by Court Martial. (Surety 3)

1861 March 24th Denis Lees aged 42 Child born (#2): Mary Margaret Lees (1861-1898). Born in Chester, England. Died in 1898. (Surety 3)

1862 August 8th Denis Lees aged 43 Child born (#3): Thomas Alfred Lees (1862-1948). Born in 31 Faulkner Street, Hook, Chester, England. Died on 1948 Jul 6 in Brooklyn, NY, U.S.A.. (Surety 4)

1862 August 8th Denis Lees aged 43 Residence: 31 Faulkner Street, Hook, Chester, England. Occupation: Mounted Coast Guard. (Surety 3)

1864 April 5th Denis Lees aged 45 Child born (#4): William Joseph Lees (1864-1940). Born in Chelsea, London, Middlesex, England. Died on 1940 Aug 6 in Dudley, Worcestershire. (Surety 4)

1864 April 5th Denis Lees aged 45 Occupation:Clerk to an Ice Merchant. Living at 3 Milman Row, Chelsea, London. (Surety 4)

1865 March 3rd Thomas Lees (2) aged 77 died in Birmingham (Surety 0)

1866 February 16th Denis Lees aged 47 Child born (#5): Denis J Lees (1866-1943). Born in London Chelsea, London, Middlesex, England. Died on 1943 Mar 14 in Bowral, N.S.W., Australia. (Surety 4)

1866 February 16th Denis Lees aged 47 Occupation: Forman to Ice Merchant. Living at 15 Kings Mall, Kings Rd, Chelsea. (Surety 4)

1867 September 13 Denis Lees aged 48 Child born (#6): Sarah Lees (1867-1943). Born in Hockley, Birmingham, England. Died in 1943 Jul in Rowley Regis, England. (Surety 3)

1869 October 4th Denis Lees aged nearly 51 Child born (#7): Ann Mary Lees (1869-1964). Born in Dixon's Green, Dudley, Worcester, England. Died on 1964 Feb 16 in Darlington, England. (Surety 4)

1869 October 4th Denis Lees aged 51 Occupation: Cavalry Sergeant Major. Living 17 Dixons Green, Dudley. (Surety 3) THINGS TO DO: GET MILITARY RECORDS FOR WORCESTERSHIRE YEOMANRY

1871 September 14th Denis Lees aged 52 Child born (#8): Alfred Edward Lees (1871-1968). Born in 17 Dixons Green, Dudley, Worcestershire, England. Died on 1968 Sep 4 in Masonic Hosp, Ashfield, N.S.W.. (Surety 4)

1871 September 14th Denis Lees aged 52 Occupation: Sg. Major, Worcs Yeomanry. Living at 17 Dixons Green, Dudley. The Worcester Yeomanry saw the uniform changed in design in 1871. Source: Worcestershire Yeomanry Museum, Worcester (Phil Lees 19/3/2001) (Surety 2)

1874 May 30th Denis Lees aged 55 Child born (#9): Arthur Edgar Lees (1874-1922). Born in 23 Cross St., Dudley, Worcester, England. Died on 1922 Apr 14 in 3 Emily Terrace Dudley England. (Surety 4)

1874 May 30th Denis Lees aged 55 Occupation Chelsea Pensioner. Residence: 23 Cross St., Dudley. (Surety 4)

1874 December 8th Denis Lees aged 56 Residence: 7 Swan Street Dudley (not sure where this came from?) . (Surety 0)

1878 October 17th Denis Lees aged 60 Child born (#10): John Vincent Lees (1878-1967). Born in 6 Bath St, Dudley, Worcestershire, England. Died on 1967 Sep 18 in Brooklyn, NY 11220, USA. (Surety 4)

1878 October 17th Denis Lees aged 60 Occupation ???????? Rssidence 6 Bath St, Dudley, Worcestershire, England. (Surety 3) must find Birth Certificate for John

1881 Census Denis Lees aged 62 Residence: 6 Bath St, Dudley. Occupation: Railway Signalman. (Surety 3)

1885 October 10th Denis Lees aged 67 yrs 2 days, died of softening of the brain at 7 Bath Street Dudley Occupation: Chelsea Pensioner. (Surety 3)

1885 October 15th Denis Lees was buried in the graveyard on the left side of Dudley Catholic church which has now been paved over", as advised Annie Breakwell (nee Lees) to Philip Lees in March 2001. The graveyard to the left of the church, no longer has any gravestones above the ground in their original burial place. The few remaining headstones have been propped up against the church wall, but none of them belong to Denis. There is another area to the far left of the church which has been paved over. Records (written in Latin) at Birmingham Diocesan, confirm that Denis is buried in this Church yard, but no locations were on record. Source: Philip Lees, Annie Breakwell & Birmingham Diocesan records. (Surety 3)

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SURETY LEVELS (information from Legacy software program)
0 indicates that you have not yet made up your mind about how convincing this source of information is.
1 indicates that there is a little evidence to support this fact but it is not too convincing.
2 indicates that this is probably a true fact. You don't have any reason to doubt it but there is no other evidence that backs it up.
3 indicates that this is almost certainly a reliable source with factual information.
4 indicates that you are as sure as you can be about this piece of information. There are multiple sources supporting this fact, or you know someone who was there, or you were there yourself. You are convinced that it is true.

OVERVIEW
1788 Thomas (2), Son of Thomas (1) & Sarah Lees baptised in Burton (Surety 3).
1818 Denis Lees was born in Montreal or Birmingham, son of Thomas Lees acording to Military & marriage records (Surety 2)
1825 Thomas Lees (3) b. Montreal did at the age of 13 enlisted into the same regiment as Thomas Lees (2) from Burton (Surety 3)
1836 Denis Lees & Thomas Lees (3) joined the cavalry in Dublin where Thomas (2) was in residence. (Surety 3)
1874 Arthur Lees is my Great Grandfather, born the 9th Child of Denis & Sarah Lees (Surety 3).
The facts that Denis & both Thomas 2 & 3 were in Montreal & Dublin at the same times & in same the regiments provides proof of kinship to make it worthwhile researching this family line further. It would be nice to have a baptism record for Denis, however this may still only provide the surname of Mother as extra information. THINGS TO DO: Check b. records for Bham & Warwick. dated March 2003.

Paternal Line
Thomas Lees (1)      [4th Great Grandfather]
Thomas Lees (2)      [3rd Great Grandfather]
Thomas Lees (3)      [2nd Great Grand Uncle]
James Lees             [2nd Great Grand Uncle]
Dennis Lees            [2nd Great Grandfather]
Arthur Edgar Lees    [Great Grandfather]
Francis Sidney Lees [Grandfather]

References:
Pro: WO97/81/19, WO97/81/21, WO97/1291
St. Modwens Parish registers 4219/1/3 Baptism & Burials 1764 - 1799
UK 1881 Census
BMD Certificates

Denis Lees, DOB calculations:
Joined Dragoons age 18 on 29th June 1836", which would make his DOB between 30/6/1817 and 29/6/1819
"Final description age 42 years & 2 months on 7th Feb 1861" makes DOB between 8/1/1819 and 7/3/1819
Death certificate is died age 68 years on 10th October 1885 makes DOB between 11/10/1816 and 10/10/1818
He is recorded on his childrens b. certificates as born in Montreal, but on Military docs as born in Birmingham.His Mother could have been at either of these locations.

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