According to the rather detailed work "THE LOST CHILD OF RICHARD LEE OF DITCHLEY " by Mrs. Merillat Moses, the seven children of the subject couple are: ` Elizabeth/Betsy m. Major Peter CONWAY Mary m Charles LEE Letitia m. James BALL Judith m. David GALLOWAY Kendall m. Betty HEALE Anne m. Grorge KERR Lucy* m. Baldwin Matthews Smith *controversial-HH The later two were derived by significant research as they were not named in Richard's will. This finding does not leave room for a Thomas or a Stephen, both candidates in other research as the missing children. It is suggested in message from <[email protected]> in part: << **** one of the Lelands (claiming descent from Lucy Smith) repeated claims made by Ludwell Lee Montague regarding Lucy Smith as last child of Richard and Judith This claim and was rejected by Edmund Jennings Lee and again by Casanave Lee.(genealogist Society of Lees) Every thing changed after the death of Casanave Lee. Ludwell Lee Montague gained control as president of the Society of Lees; Lucy Smith, of course, became Lucy Lee, daughter of Judith and Richard Lee. Hugh wanted me to know that primogeniture did not apply somehow in the case of a son. Stephen Lee couldn't be the seventh child of Judith and Richard because Richard would have divided property between sons. {nor could Thomas-HH] Perhaps, it is best not to comment further re. the Seven Children of Ditchley-Richard and Judith, their children and numerous claimants. An examination of sources and the claims made has resulted also in an examination of the Lee pedigree and includes discovery that the Bible which was used a proof was a forgery (result claim and counterclaim) I make no claims except I think that whatever we accept should be based on sound criteria. >> _______ I have no bias in this case, but I would observe that the case for Lucy LEE as the seventh and last child is very strong as presented by Mrs. Merillat Moses. In Richard's will two children were not named although five children were named. This has to be curious. Their seems to be agreement that Anne was one of the two unnamed children. The other has a number of candidates of which Lucy, Stephen and Thomas seem to be most prominent. A good case has be made for Lucy. No similar case has been presented for the male candidates--why? As I have stated before, Captain Thomas LEE of Hawkins Co., TN (died 1816) is alleged to be a son born 1729. If so, he would have been 6 when Richard LEE wrote his will. Why wouldn't he be in the will? When Casanava LEE and Edmund Jennings LEE rejected the Lucy LEE claim was it because it lacked evidence or because the evidence was fraudulent. These criticisms can be corrected and new or other evidence can be presented over time. I just don't know the basis for the rejection. It would be folly just to accept their rejection at face value. To understand it would lead to a better assessment. I cannot comment meaningfully on the politics of the LEE Society except to observe that we have two contending groups who have used their power to influence the situation. There may be more to this story than meets the eye. In any case, the information is apparently available among the Franke papers now most readily available to Lee, Will Franke's niece. It would be generous of her if she would share the detailed discussion of the rejection with us. Best regards, Hugh