Will and Obituary of Joseph Ellis Lee, 1848: North East, Erie Co., PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Patti Easton. jjpceast@email.bigsky.net USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material,must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWebarchivist with proof of this consent. Files may be printed or copied or personal use only. ________________________________________________________ "Will and obituary transcribed by Patti Easton, jjpceast@email.bigsky.net All rights reserved." Last Will and Testament of Joseph E. Lee, North East, Erie, PA "In the name of God Amen I Joseph E. Lee of the township of North East in Erie County in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania farmer being in health of body or weak in body as the case may be and of sound mind memory and understanding praised be God for the same do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following. I give devise and bequeath unto my beloved wife Lydia Lee her heirs and assigns forever all my property real personal and mixed of what nature of kind soever and wheresoever the same shall be at the time of my death. and I do nominate constitute and appoint my said wife Executrix and my friend Alexander Duncan Executor of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I the said Joseph E. Lee have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of Eli E. Murray and, Lucy Burdick the twelfth day of May Eighteen ***** Joseph E. Lee Lucy Burdick Eli E. Murray Probated the 5th day of June 1848 Will 94 1848 Obituary of Joseph E. Lee, North East, Erie, PA June 26, 1848 Rev Joseph E. Lee Died at his residence in North East, Erie Co., Pa., May 29, 1848, in the 48th year of his age. Mr. Lee was born in Cazenovia, NY in 1800. when 15 years of age we find his residence to have been Grand Isle, VT. At this interesting period he yielded his heart to God, through faith, to be washed in the atoning fountain, under the ministerial labors of J. McDaniel. Young as he was, he felt that a dispensation was committed to him; but being reluctant to comply with the heavenly call, coldness and backsliding was the consequence. Before he was 17 years of age he emigrated with his friends to the place where he died. On arriving at his new home he was soon aroused from his Laodicean slumbers by the stirring peals of Gospel truth, as announced by that man of God, Rev. E. Burdick, to whom he became ardently attached in sympathy of feeling --- not only in sentiment but in religious exercise; and also socially, having married his only daughter in 1820. Some time previous to this period he was authorized, as an exhorter, to call sinners to repentance. In 1824, when the Genesee Conference extended to the waters of the Allegheny, (G. Gillmore P.E.) he was authorized by the G.C. to preach the Gospel of Christ. And now while I write my mind is carried back to days and scenes of other years --- scenes which, to think at this distance, makes the heart softer, and, we trust, better. The writer of this poor tribute over twenty years ago knew brother Lee and father Burdick, and knew them well, when father B's farm-house was a Bethel to God's people. --- Now it would be considered quite out of the way for such meetings; but then father B. was in strength to lead on the sacramental host, and this would have made it a centre in almost any place. We have seen him, seconded by "Joseph", as he familiarly called him, shout to the battle; and we have heard the groans of the wounded and shouts of the living. Victory, victory, in the name of the Lord, very gloriously there. Their labors extended to new and destitute places, where the Savior of their names is as precious ointment poured forth. They were together in life, and nearly so in death --- two months intervening between the times of their decease. Brother Lee was ordained deacon at the session of the Pittsburgh, Conference, Wellsburgh, Va (should be Pa), 1832, by Bishop Emory. About this time he contemplated giving himself up to the itinerant work, but after having traveled Cambridge circuit some time he was thrown from his horse and received a severe injury, which caused him to return to his family. He was ordained Elder by Bishop Morris, at Meadville, in 1836. As a preacher, he was sound in doctrine, ardent and pathetic. A prominent point with him was to contend for the power with the form. That he had faults and frailties, is not to be questioned --- for he was human; but he was a good man. We never knew a local preacher who married as many living, and buried as many dead, in the same period of years, as brother L. He sustained the office of Magistrate from 1840 until the time of his decease. His death was sudden and unexpected to all but himself. Some five weeks previous he left home, designing to visit Pittsburgh during the session of the General Conference. At Erie he was attacked with inflammation of the lungs. In a few days he was conveyed to his own home. On arriving, he informed his family that his sickness would be unto death. His physicians considered him mending, even the morning he died the doctor left saying he was improving. But in a few moments he was attacked with dreadful distress about the region of the heart, and in a few minutes he ceased to suffer. But his end was peace. For two weeks he had been in a transport of joy, saying, "The Gospel I have preached to others sustains me now. O what a fullness! My work is done!" And so it was. Sister Lee's cup is quite full. In less than one short year called to follow her oldest daughter, her father; and last, though not least, her husband --- the companion of her youth--- to the lone grave. The Lord sustain and comfort the widow. H. Whallon Erie, June 26, 1848 (The Christian Advocate and Journal will please copy.) [Obit copied from a newspaper clipping in the Lee Family Bible.]