GEE, Solomon^[1]

1698 - 1769  (71 years)  Submit Photo / Document

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• Name	GEE, Solomon
  Birth	1698	Devon, England
  Christening	25 Dec 1703	Buckland, Buckinghamshire, England
  Gender	Male
  Burial	Apr 1769	Lyme, New London, Connecticut, United States
  Death	13 Apr 1769	Lyme, New London, Connecticut, United States
  WAC	27 Jun 1923	SLAKE
  _TAG	Reviewed on FS
  Headstones	Submit Headstone Photo
  Person ID	I19722	Joseph Smith Sr and Lucy Mack Smith
  Last Modified	19 Aug 2021

  
  

  Family ID

  F10304

  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 1	HUNTLEY, Hannah ,   b. 22 Jul 1708, Lyme, New London, Connecticut, United States Lyme, New London, Connecticut, United Statesd. 26 Mar 1807, Lyme, New London, Connecticut, United States (Age 98 years)
  Family ID	F10254	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	24 Jan 2022

  
  

  Family 2	HUNTLEY, Deborah ,   b. 20 Aug 1714, Lyme, New London, Connecticut, United States Lyme, New London, Connecticut, United Statesd. 26 Mar 1807, Lyme, New London, Connecticut, United States (Age 92 years)
  Marriage	29 May 1731	Lyme, New London, Connecticut, United States   [2]
  Notes	~SEALING_SPOUSE: Also shown as SealSp 17 Aug 1988, OGDEN.
  Children	3 sons and 2 daughters
  1. GEE, Stephen ,   b. 1731, Lyme, New London, Connecticut, United States Lyme, New London, Connecticut, United Statesd. 15 Oct 1808, Marlow, Cheshire, New Hampshire, United States (Age 77 years)   2. GEE, Deborah ,   b. Abt 1735, Lyme, New London, Connecticut, United States Lyme, New London, Connecticut, United Statesd. Sep 1820, Marlow, Cheshire, New Hampshire, United States (Age 85 years)   3. GEE, Solomon Jr. ,   b. 1736, Lyme, New London, Connecticut, United States Lyme, New London, Connecticut, United Statesd. 12 Aug 1804, Marlow, Cheshire, New Hampshire, United States (Age 68 years) + 4. GEE,, William Sr. ,   b. 5 Apr 1739, Lyme, New London, Connecticut, United States Lyme, New London, Connecticut, United Statesd. 16 Sep 1817, Lyme, New London, Connecticut, United States (Age 78 years)   5. GEE, Ruth ,   b. Abt 1741, Lyme, New London, Connecticut, United States Lyme, New London, Connecticut, United Statesd. 7 Apr 1826, Lyme, New London, Connecticut, United States (Age 85 years)
  Family ID	F10303	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	24 Jan 2022

  
  

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• Notes

  Solomon Gee was an immigrant to America probably before 1720. "Lyme genealogies manuscript history" by D.W. Patterson The Gee family Although there are references to one Peter Gee and wife who were in Boston in 1667, Joshua Gee and wife Elizabeth, daughter of reverend Thomas Thornton and Joshua Gee and wife who died in 1730, little is know of the Gee family until the birth of Solomon Gee. He was born in 1698 in Debonshire (?) [Devonshire] County England. He was prêt (pressed) when yong (young) and put on board a man-o-war. Owing to the cruelty of the captain, he fled from this vessel to another, finally coming to this country. He was a clothier by trade and made his home in Lyme, now called East Lyme, county of New London, Connecticut. In the papers of Lysander Gee the following was found which differs in some minor detail from the above. "Solomon Gee of Lyme Connecticut Reference - Lyme Genealogies MSS by Dr. D.W. Patterson in the library of the Conn. - Historical Society, Athensum Bldg, Hartford Conn. Solomon Gee was born 1698 on Devonshire County, England. When a young man he was impressed into the Royal Navy and put in board a Man of War. He was granted a few days leave of abscence and on returning to the ship found the Captain whipped the men as fast as they came on board. With a comrade he fell back and after the ship had sailed he got aboard another vessell. Shifting from one vessell to another, he came to this place. Being a clothier by trade, married, settled in the town of Lyme, now called East Lyme County of New London, State of Conn. He was married March 27th 1732 by the pastor of the First Church of Lyme. Deborah Huntley of Lyme. He and his wife were buried in Lyme in the old stone Church burying ground, In the thirteenth row starting at the North Wall in the North East Section, Lyme. 1. SOURCE: NEW ENG. REG. V 79 p.69 & V 3 p 132 E. LYME CONV. CEMETERY EARLY CONN. MARRIAGES PRIOR TO 1800 V. 3 p.132 ARCHIVE GROUP SHEET SUBMITTED BY: ALDA M. PAUL 221 SO. MONTEBELLO BLVD.,MONTEBELLO, CALIF. (She is deceased) 2. Possible parentage of Solomon Gee: This material received from: Martell J. Gee 3090 South Oakwood Bountiful, UT 84010 Extracts from Buckland, Monachorum Parish Record 1637 to 1708 Baptisms Gye, Joh:es fils Johes Nov 26, 1636 Gye, Jerimus fils Phillipi Jul 2, 1637 Crossman, Johes fils Richi Oct 7, 1637 Guye, Johes fils Johes Jan 1, 1638/39 Guye, Joohes fils Phillipi Apr 7, 1639 Crossman, Margarita filia Richi Jan 12, 1639/40 Guye, Ezekiel fils Phillipi Oct 2, 1641 Crossman, Guallirus fils Richi Feb 27, 1641/42 Crossman, Elizabetha filia Joh:es Sep 11, 1642 Guye, _______ fils Phillipi Aug 3, 1645 Crossman, Elizabetha filia Richi Aug 16, 1647 Crossman, Richarda filia Richi Feb 8, 1650 Crossman, Richus fils Richi Mar 27, 1653 ++ On 16 Nov 1653, John Lawrye became Parish Clerk and the record was kept in English ++ Crossman, William S of Richard May 27, 1655 Gee, Phillip S of John & Anne Nov 19, 1670 Gee, Joanna D of Ezechiell & Elizabeth Nov 23, 1672 Gee, Mary D of John & Anna Aug 2, 1673 Gee, Richard S of Ezechiell & Elizabeth Oct 25, 1673 Gee, Frances D of Thomas & Frances Jan 1, 1674/75 Gee, John S of Ezechiell & Elizabeth Oct 17, 1675 Gee, Samuell S of John & Anna Mar 1, 1675/76 Gee, Eunice D of Ezechiell & Elizabeth Jun 30, 1678 Gee, William S of John & Anna Jan 11, 1678/79 Gee, Solomon S of Ezechiell & Elizabeth Oct 23, 1680 Gee, Anna D of John and Anna Oct 22, 1681 Gee, Elizabeth D of Ezechiell & Elizabeth Jan 19, 1683/84 Gee, Judith D of John & Anna Jan 20, 1684/85 Gee, Mary D of John & Anna Sep 4, 1687 Gee, Mary D of Ezechiell & Elizabeth Feb 9, 1688/89 Gee, John S of Richard Feb 12, 1698/99 Gee, Elizabeth D of Richard & Sarah Jul 19, 1701 Gee, Solomon S of Richard & Mary Dec 28, 1703 Gee, William S of Richard May 13, 1706 Gee, Thomas S of Richard Nov 14, 1708 Prepared by Jeanie and Ross S. Wolfley 739 East Coventry Lane Alpine, Utah 84004 801-756-3337 Year 2009 ----------- Marlow, New Grantham and Protectworth, Cheshire County, New Hampshire 1790 Census sorted by Head of Household Asa Gee Laman Gee Nathan Gee Solomon Gee Stephen Gee Aaron Huntley Bathuel Huntley Elisha Huntley Isaiah Huntley Jonathan Huntley Lyman Huntley Nathan Huntley Nathan Huntley Jr. Rufus Huntley Russel Huntley Sylvanus Huntley Solomon Gee was an immigrant to America probably before 1720. Lyme genealogies manuscript history by D.W. Patterson The Gee family Although there are referenes to one Peter Gee and wife who were in Boston in 1667, Joshua Gee and wife Elizabeth, daughter of reverend Thomas Thornton and Joshua Gee and wife who died in 1730, little is know of the Gee family until the birth of Solomon Gee. He was born in 1698 in Debonshire (?) County England. He was pret when yong and put on board a man-o-war. Owing to the cruelty of the captain, he fled from this vessel to another, finally coming to this country. He was a clothier by trade and made his home in Lyme, now called East Lyme, county of New London, Connecticut. In the papers of Lysander Gee the following was found which differs in some minor detail from the above. "Solomon Gee of Lyme Connecticut Reference - Lyman Genealogies MSS by Dr. D.W. Patterson in the library of the Conn - Historical Society, Athensum Bldg, Hartford Conn. Solomon Gee was born 1698 on Devonshire County, England. When a young man he was impressed into the Royal Navy and put in board a Man of War. He was granted a few days leave of abscence and on returning to the ship found the Captain whipped the men as fast as they came on board. With a comrade he fell back and after the ship had sailed he got aboard another vessell. Shifting from one vessell to another, he came to this place. Being a clothier by trade, married, settled in the town of Lyme, now called East Lyme County of New London, State of Conn. He was married March 27th 1732 by the pastor of the First Chjurch of Lyme. DEborah Huntley of Lyme. He and his wife were buried in Lyne in the old stone Church burying ground, In the thirteenth row starting at the North Wall in the North East Section, Lyme. 1. SOURCE: NEW ENG. REG. V 79 p.69 & V 3 p 132 E. LYME CONV. CEMETERY EARLY CONN. MARRIAGES PRIOR TO 1800 V. 3 p.132 ARCHIVE GROUP SHEET SUBMITTED BY: ALDA M. PAUL 221 SO. MONTEBELLO BLVD.,MONTEBELLO,CALIF. 2. Possible parentage of Solomon Gee: This material received from: Martell J. Gee 3090 South Oakwood Bountiful, UT 84010 Extracts from Buckland Monachorum Parish Record 1637 to 1708 Baptisms Gye, Joh:es fils Johes Nov 26, 1636 Gye, Jerimus fils Phillipi Jul 2, 1637 Crossman, Johes fils Richi Oct 7, 1637 Guye, Johes fils Johes Jan 1, 1638/39 Guye, Joohes fils Phillipi Apr 7, 1639 Crossman, Margarita filia Richi Jan 12, 1639/40 Guye, Ezekiel fils Phillipi Oct 2, 1641 Crossman, Guallirus fils Richi Feb 27, 1641/42 Crossman, Elizabetha filia Joh:es Sep 11, 1642 Guye, _______ fils Phillipi Aug 3, 1645 Crossman, Elizabetha filia Richi Aug 16, 1647 Crossman, Richarda filia Richi Feb 8, 1650 Crossman, Richus fils Richi Mar 27, 1653 +++++++ On 16 Nov 1653, John Lawrye became Parish Clerk +++++++ +++++++ and the record was kept in English +++++++ Crossman, William S of Richard May 27, 1655 Gee, Phillip S of John & Anne Nov 19, 1670 Gee, Joanna D of Ezechiell & Elizabeth Nov 23, 1672 Gee, Mary D of John & Anna Aug 2, 1673 Gee, Richard S of Ezechiell & Elizabeth Oct 25, 1673 Gee, Frances D of Thomas & Frances Jan 1, 1674/75 Gee, John S of Ezechiell & Elizabeth Oct 17, 1675 Gee, Samuell S of John & Anna Mar 1, 1675/76 Gee, Eunice D of Ezechiell & Elizabeth Jun 30, 1678 Gee, William S of John & Anna Jan 11, 1678/79 Gee, Solomon S of Ezechiell & Elizabeth Oct 23, 1680 Gee, Anna D of John and Anna Oct 22, 1681 Gee, Elizabeth D of Ezechiell & Elizabeth Jan 19, 1683/84 Gee, Judith D of John & Anna Jan 20, 1684/85 Gee, Mary D of John & Anna Sep 4, 1687 Gee, Mary D of Ezechiell & Elizabeth Feb 9, 1688/89 Gee, John S of Richard Feb 12, 1698/99 Gee, Elizabeth D of Richard & Sarah Jul 19, 1701 Gee, Solomon S of Richard & Mary Dec 28, 1703 Gee, William S of Richard May 13, 1706 Gee, Thomas S of Richard Nov 14, 1708 Note: There are no other Gee births recorded in the Parish register for the next 30 or more years. Marriages Gye, Phillipus & Agnes Bowden Jul 19, 1636 Crossman, Johes & Eilzabeth Martin Sep 5, 1641 Crossman, John & Fairk Lavers Sep 12, 1653 Crossman, John & Elizabeth Baylye Apr 14, 1658 Gee, John & Anna Deacon Aug 2, 1669 Gee, Ezechiell & Elizabeth Crossman Apr 8, 1672 Gee, Thomas & Frances Lune Apr 9, 1672 Additional Notes: 1.In those days (I don't know when the practice started, nor when it quit), they changed the number of the year on March 25. I have thus indicated this by using a '/' with the year as we would measure it following the '/'. For example: 1640 began March 25 and ran April through Dec, Jan, Feb, and the first part of March, when the next year would begin. 2.I have interpreted Johes to mean Johannes, which translates to John. I am convinced that Gye, Guye and Gee are the same, since there were NO Gee's in the parish record before 1653, and there NO Gye's nor Guye's after. In the book "The Devon Protestation Returns - 1641" we have independent evidence that a Phillip Gee lived in Buckland, Monachorum Parish in 1641, just when Phillipi Guye's wife was carrying their son Ezechiel (Ezechiell). 3. See also: New England Register V. 79, p. 69 MARRIAGE; First Congregational Church Lyme Vol. VI, (Old Lyme Library), p. 240: "A Record of Marriages, performed by the Rev Jonathan Parsons, of the First Church in Lyme. ... 1732. ... March 29th Solomon Gee & Deborah Huntley." Family tradition ascribed the month as May. Note: There are no other Gee births recorded in the Parish register for the next 30 or more years. Marriages Gye, Phillipus & Agnes Bowden Jul 19, 1636 Crossman, Johes & Eilzabeth Martin Sep 5, 1641 Crossman, John & Fairk Lavers Sep 12, 1653 Crossman, John & Elizabeth Baylye Apr 14, 1658 Gee, John & Anna Deacon Aug 2, 1669 Gee, Ezechiell & Elizabeth Crossman Apr 8, 1672 Gee, Thomas & Frances Lune Apr 9, 1672 Additional Notes: 1.In those days (I don't know when the practice started, nor when it quit), they changed the number of the year on March 25. I have thus indicated this by using a '/' with the year as we would measure it following the '/'. For example: 1640 began March 25 and ran April through Dec, Jan, Feb, and the first part of March, when the next year would begin. 2.I have interpreted Johes to mean Johannes, which translates to John. I am convinced that Gye, Guye and Gee are the same, since there were NO Gee's in the parish record before 1653, and there NO Gye's nor Guye's after. In the book "The Devon Protestation Returns - 1641" we have independent evidence that a Phillip Gee lived in Buckland Monachorum Parish in 1641, just when Phillipi Guye's wife was carrying their son Ezechiel (Ezechiell). 3. See also: New England Register V. 79, p. 69 !MARRIAGE; First Congregational Church Lyme Vol. VI, (Old Lyme Library), p. 240: "A Record of Marriages, performed by the Rev Jonathan Parsons, of the First Church in Lyme. ... 1732. ... March 29th Solomon Gee & Deborah Huntley." Family tradition ascribed the month as May. BURIAL: The grave is well marked in the Old Stone Church Cemetery. There is a head stone and a footstone. There is also a white marble stone that is easier to read that was put up later. This is because he served in the French and Indian War. I took pictures of the grave and the cemetery when I visited in October 1995. (Laurence Gee) To visit the cemetery go east on Route 1 until it crosses Route 161 (Chesterfield). Follow this to Society. This curves and goes past a school on the right. You will come to a Stop and the cemetery is to the left on a slight hill. Solomon's grave is on the right as you look at the cemetery from the gate. There is a green yucca-like plant close to the gravestone. BOOK: The Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut May 1744 to Nov 1750 TITLE:The Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut May 1744 to Nov 1750 AUTHOR:Charles J. Hoadley PUBLISHING DATE: 1876 YEARS COVERED: 1744-1750 Lyme Library Xerox copy in Possession I. Laurence Gee NOTES: Land Acquisition on Page 304-305 Purchased land from William Minor References to Solomon Gee in NEHGR (New England Historical and Genealogical Register) 1925 Vol 79 page 69 1946 vol 100 page 269 1980 Vol 134 page 56 The Following appears in Charles E. Benjamin's book "The Descendants of Solomon Gee of Lyme Connecticut" FIRST GENERATION 1. SOLOMON GEE was born in the year 1698 at Devonshire England and died 13 APR 1769 at Lyme, New London Co., Connecticut where he is buried in the Old Stone Church Cemetery. His parentage is unknown. It is also unknown just when Solomon arrived on the shores of America but various circumstances combine to indicate that his arrival probably was before the year 1720. He married first Susannah Clark, daughter of Daniel and Patience Clark, of New London, Connecticut probably before 1722. There is no record of the date of this marriage nor a birth date and date of death for Susannah, the only proof of this marriage being found in the will of Daniel Clark naming as a beneficiary, "My Loving Grand daughter Sara Gee," sharing with his three daughters the equal division of his land holdings.. One child was born of this union: +2. Sarah b. c.1723, d. 13 DEC 1821 Solomon married second Deborah Huntley born 20/30 AUG 1714 at Lyme, New London Co., Connecticut and died 26 MAR 1807 at the same place where she is buried in the Old Stone Church Cemetery; date of marriage 12/27 MAR 1732. Deborah was a daughter of Aaron Huntley and Deborah DeWolfe. A death notice for Deborah appeared in the New London Gazette of 5 APR 1809 giving her age as 96, which does not agree with the family records. Deborah was a fourth generation descendant of John Huntley who was born about 1622-1626 in the British Isles, parentage, unknown, came to Boston Massachusetts prior to July, 1647; died Lyme Colony of Connecticut 16 NOV 1676. In 1661, he relocated from Roxbury, Mass. to Saybrook, Conn. Where in 1665 there was a separation of the inhabitants living on the east bank of the Connecticut River, duly named in 1667, "Lyme." To this second union five children were born: +3. Stephen b. 1731 Lyme, New London Co., Conn. d. 15 Oct 1808, Marlow, Cheshire Co., N.H. +4. Deborah b. 1735 Lyme, New London Co., Conn. d. SEP 1820, Marlow, Cheshire Co., N.H. +5. Solomon, Jr. b.1736 Lyme, New London Co., Conn. d. 13 AUG/OCT 1804, Marlow, Cheshire Co., N.H. +6. William b. 5 APR 1739, Lyme, New London Co., Conn. d. 16 SEP 1817, Lyme, New London Co., Conn. +7. Ruth b. 1741, Lyme, New London Co., Conn. d. 7 APR 1826 Lyme, New London Co., Conn. It must be noted that there is some question about the birth date of son Stephen. The above date, 1731, is taken from his gravestone which gives his age at death as 78 years. However, this appears to be in error inasmuch as there is every indication that he was a child of Solomon's second marriage in 1732, so a birth date of 1733 seems much more likely. We are given to understand that Solomon had learned the trade of a Clothier before his departure from England so his property at Lyme included a fulling mill and a weave shop where he continued to follow this vocation in addition to farming practices. It is evident that he prospered since he continued to acquire additional land holdings from time to time adding to his estate. Solomon was one of nine men from Lyme among the New England men who went and took the "impregnable fortress" from the French on Cape Breton before the Revolution, and in the Spring of 1924 the Governor of Connecticut decorated the graves of these men, all buried in the Old Stone Church graveyard in Lyme, with the Louisburg Cross. Solomon's service in the French and Indian War consisted of the Campaign of 1755 from Sept. 10 to Dec. 13 in Captain Joshua Abel's Company and the Campaign of 1758 from April 20 to Nov. 18 in Captain Timothy Mather's Company (11th Co.), 3rd Conn. Regt. THE WILL OF SOLOMON GEE In the name of God Amen this 10th day July A.D. 1766. I Solomon Gee of Lyme in the County of New London in the Colony of Connecticut being in good health of Body and of a Sound and Disposing minde and memory for which I desire to bless God, but calling to mind the Mortality of my Body and Knowing that it is Appointed for all men once to Die, do therefore make and ordain this my last Will and Testament. First and Principally I Recommend my Soul to God that Gave it and my Body to the Earth to be Buryed in a Desent Christian Buryall at the Discretion of my Executor hereinafter Named, and as Touching Such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this Life I Give and Dispose of the Same in the following Manner. It is my Will that my Just Debts and Funeral Expenses be first payd out of my movable Estate. Item to my beloved Wife Deborah Gee I Give and Devise for her own forever one third part of all my Moveable Estate that Shall Remain after my just Debts and Funeral Expences are payd Excepting my tools and utentials belonging to ye fullers Trade which is used in Fulling and Dressing of Cloath. Item to my well beloved and Dutyfull Daughter Deborah Smith Wife of Silas Smith of sd Lyme I Give and Devise to her and her Heirs and Assigns all the Remaining part of my movable Estate that is Left after my Debts etc. and the Legacy to my sd Wife is payd. I say all that Remains Excepting those utentials used in the Cloath Trade. Item to my well beloved and Dutyfull Daughter Ruth Mack wife of William Mack of Sd Lyme to her and her Heirs and Assigns forever I Give and Devise one Certain piece or parcell of Land lying in the East Society of Lyme, sd Lyme it being the Same piece of Land on which sd William Macks now Dwelling House Stands and is bounded Northerly on the County Road Southerly and Southeasterly on the Beckwith Land & Land that belongs to the Heirs of Mr. Joshua Rogers Late of Sd Lyme Deceased and Contains about Six or Seven Acres be the Same more or Less. Item to my three Sons (Viz) Stephen Gee Solomon Gee and William Gee all of Lyme aforesaid I Give and Devise to them and their Heirs and As-signs in Fee Simple forever all my Lands that I shall Die. Seized which is not before herein Devised in Manner following that is to Say it shall be Equally Divided between them my Sd three Sons both as to Quantity and Quality Said Stephen is to have his part at the Southerly Ende of my Land to Adjoyn to the County Road that Leads from Lyme to New London and Sd Solomon and William Shall Divide the Remaining part of my Land between them so that each one of my Sd two Sons Solomon and William Shall have an Equal proportion of my Orchard and Meadow Land, and I also give to my aforesaid three Sons Stephen Solomon and William and their Heirs &c my Fulling Mill together with All my Utensials belonging to or that is Used in the Cloathes Trade in Equal proportions, my aforesaid three Sons paying to my Daughter Sarah Duglas Wife of James Douglass of New London the sum of Three pounds Lawful money within Three months next after my Decease. Item to my Daughter Sarah Douglas aforesaid I Give and Devise to her for her own forever Three pounds Lawfull money to be payd to her by my Sd three Sons: Alis (sic) My Executors within three Months next after my Decease. Lastly I do hereby Appoint my aforesaid three Sons Stephen Gee Solo-mon Gee and Wm. Gee to be my Executors of this my Last Will and Testament hereby Revoking and Disanulling all and Every former or other Will or Wills Signed Seald and Publishd pronouncd and Declared by him Sd Solomon Gee to be his Last Will and Testament in Presence of us. John Lay 2d Mary Miller Hannah Hudson his mark Solomon Gee (Seal) N London SS Lyme May 4th A.D. 1769 Then & There personally Appeared John Lay 2d Esqr And being duly Sworn Made Oath that he Saw the within Mentioned Solomon Gee the Signer and Sealer of the within Instrument Sign & Seal the Same & then heard him publish & Declare the Same to be his Last Will & Testament & that he the Deponent together with Mary Miller Now decd & Hannah Hudson Subscribed as Witnesses to Sd Will in the Presence of Said Solomon Gee the Sd Testator & of Each other and That Said Gee was then of Sound & Disposing Mind & Memory According to his best Judgt & Belief. Corum me Samll H Parsons Just --Peas Lyme SS New London County May the 4th A.D. 1769 This Day personally appered Hannah Hudson and testified on oath that She Saw Solloman Gee signer and Sealler to the Within Written Instrument Sign and Seall the same and publish and Declare the Same to be his Last Will and Testament and at the Same time She the Deponent Judged the Sd Gee the testator Was of Sound Mind and Memory and at the Desire of Sd Gee she together with John Lay ye 2nd Esqr and Mary Miller deceasd signed as Witnesses to the Same in the presence of Sd Gee the Testator. Sworn before me Richd Lord Justice of ye peace New London May 11, 1769 Approved G.Saltonstall Jude Probt (The following lament was copied from an original rough draft and a final version, both hand-written by Solomon Gee and found among other family papers in the possession of Stephen Gee Hathaway at East Lyme, Connecticut.) A SOLEMN FAREWELL TO THE WORLD While agonizing with anguish and pain my heart is in union with the Christ that was slain From sin he has cleansed me in his own blood He has freed me from guilt to the Saviour My heart is rejoicing upon my Death Bed with Heaven my comfort my soul it is fed and that makes me hunger and thirst for more. He bids me welcome there's plenty in store My friends here's a fountain, it never runs dry. Soon I shall drink freely in Eternity. In the Heavenly paradise soon I shall be. The comfort sent has revealed this to me My dear companion I bid you farewell. To go I am willing resigned to God's will. Oh trust in our Saviour for you he'll provide. In him you will find favour for you he has died Farewell my Dear mother I'm going to die. For death I am prepared to meet God on high. I trust I shall meet you in Heaven above. There we to sing praises and redeeming love Farewell my Dear Children 'tis soon we must part. Your father is going my time is short. Be kind to your Mother with affection most true. Remember that love from you is her due Oh view me a going to the Heavenly land. Live in peace together is your father's command. Ask counsel of the wise bad company shun. Remember my counsel when from you I am gone Dear Brothers and Sisters I bid you farewell. How soon you will follow I am sure none can tell. Prepare to go with me to the Heavenly land, for sure I must leave you all in the Lord's hand Oh, Jesus, I am ready to go at thy call. I have been given all up to my God, He is my all. I resign all my family to the Lord's hand. God keep them in union while here on the land A fountain is Jesus that, always runs free for washing and cleansing such Sinners as we. My sins though like crimson made white as the way, no lack in that fountain, it always is full Amen (signed) Solomon Gee From the foregoing, one might conclude that Solomon had reason to believe that his mother was still living to mourn his passing. This surely is possible although unlikely. Solomon was then of an age that would indicate his mother would have to have been around ninety years old. We also note his reference to, "Dear Brothers and Sisters." Did he really mean to refer to immediate members of his family who remained behind in England? or was he addressing close acquaintances at Lyme and thereabouts? We know that it was not unusual in Colonial times for those early settlers to address one another as "Brother" or "Sister" even when there was no relationship at all. Members of those small communities necessarily shared a closeness in their daily living that would engender a feeling of "family" resulting in the Brother-Sister nomenclature. A further conclusion drawn from Solomon's "Farewell" is the apparent religious context. Nowhere else have we found an indication of this side of his character. It is not definite even which church he attended nor that religion was a serious concern in his life. However, Solomon's farewell message surely leaves no doubt about this matter. Editors Note: (L. Gee) I Googled the first stanza of this poem and found no matches. It is therefore apparent that this was his poetry and not copied from some extant text. This will be apparent also from the meter and rhyme. I have given this above as it was written in C. E. Benjamin's book. I would like to reedit this and phrase it as a modern poem as follows: A SOLEMN FAREWELL TO THE WORLD While agonizing with anguish and pain My heart is in union with the Christ that was slain From sin he has cleansed me in his own blood He has freed me from guilt to the Saviour. My heart is rejoicing upon my Death Bed With Heaven my comfort, my soul it is fed And that makes me hunger and thirst for more. He bids me welcome, there's plenty in store. My friends here's a fountain, it never runs dry. Soon I shall drink freely in Eternity. In the Heavenly paradise soon I shall be. The comfort sent has revealed this to me. My dear companion I bid you farewell. To go I am willing, resigned to God's will. Oh trust in our Saviour for you he'll provide. In him you will find favour, for you he has died. Farewell my Dear mother I'm going to die. For death I am prepared to meet God on high. I trust I shall meet you in Heaven above. There, we to sing praises and redeeming love. Farewell my Dear Children 'tis soon we must part. Your father is going my time [it] is short. Be kind to your Mother with affection most true. Remember that love from you is her due. Oh view me a going to the Heavenly land. Live in peace together is your father's command. Ask counsel of the wise, bad company shun. Remember my counsel when from you I am gone. Dear Brothers and Sisters I bid you farewell. How soon you will follow I am sure none can tell. Prepare to go with me to the Heavenly land, For sure I must leave you all in the Lord's hand Oh, Jesus, I am ready to go at thy call. I have been given all up to my God, He is my all. I resign all my family to the Lord's hand. God keep them in union while here on the land. A fountain is Jesus that, always runs free For washing and cleansing such Sinners as we. My sins though like crimson made white as the way, No lack in that fountain, it always is full Amen Solomon Gee (compiled by Laurence Gee, M.D. 263 Edgemont Drive North Salt Lake, Utah 84054) SURNAME: Also shown as McGee BIRTH: Also shown as Born 1698 DEATH: Also shown as Died 13 Apr 1796 !BURIAL: The grave is well marked in the Old Stone Church Cemetary. There is a head stone and a footstone. There is also a white marble stone that is easier to read that was put up later. This is because he served in the French and Indian War. I took pictures of the grave and the cemetary when I visited in October 1995. (Laurence Gee) To visit the cemetary go east on Route 1 until it crosses Route 161 (Chesterfield). Follow this to Society. This curves and goes past a school on the right. You will come to a Stop and the cemetary is to the left on a slight hill. Solomons grave is on the right as you look at the cemetary from the gate. There is a green yucca-like plant close to the grave stone. !BOOK: The Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut May 1744 to Nov 1750 TITLE:The Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut May 1744 to Nov 1750 AUTHOR:Charles J. Hoadley PUBLISHING DATE: 1876 YEARS COVERED: 1744-1750 SIZE OF BOOK: TOTAL PAGES: IS IT INDEXED: Yes REPOSITORY: Lyme Library Xerox in Possession I.L.Gee CALL #: NOTES: Land Acquisition on Page 304-305 Purchased land from William Minor References to Solomon Gee in NEHGR (New England Historical and Genealogical Register) 1925 Vol 79 page 69 1946 vol 100 page 269 1980 Vol 134 page 56 GIVEN NAMES: Also shown as Solomon BIRTH RITE: Also shown as Christening Buckland Monachorum, Devon, England. DEATH: Also shown as Died Lyme, New London, Connecticut, United States.

  
  

• Sources

  [S282] Charles E. Benjamin, Descendants of Solomon Gee of Lyme, Connecticut, (1981 Privately Published Printed by Light and Life Press, Winona Lake, Indiana), Page 76. [S989] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, International Genealogical Index(R), citing microfilm 1553252 for batch 5004135, sheet 01, downloaded 1 Dec 2009 (Reliability: 3).