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0584

(Copy)
Near Yorktown May 9th 1865

Capt E W Coffin

Sir: — I respectfully submit the following statement, in regard to the farm situate 3 miles west of Yorktown, and occupied by me prior to 1862.

This farm has been in possession of our family for 150 years. On the death of my father, William Lee, over fifty years ago the premises descended to three heirs, of [[strikethrough]] out [[/strikethrough]] whom only two are now living. As the tract was too small to be divided, and we did wish it to go out of the family, it has remained just as left at the decease of my father, and has always been taxed as "Wm Lee's Estate."
 
My brother, Wm W Lee, the other heir, has lived in New York for over 35 years, where he married, and still resides. I have occupied the farm for 34 years. My brother has from time to time made advances of money, for the improvement of the place, purchace of stock &c, which renders him in fact and equity entitled to the whole farm, though in law he stands only as the heir to an undivided half. The same remarks will apply to the personal property on the place. In the spring of 1862, to get out of the way of the hostile armies which were desolating the Peninsula, I removed to Charlotte County, where I resided until recently. — I have never been in either the military or Civil service of the Confederate States.     

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---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-04-11 12:12:59