The three wives of Robert Lee
Ann Whalley (1828-1854) *
Ann Whalley was born in Bolton about 1828. She married Robert Lee on 8th April 1849 at Bolton parish church. They had two children, Henry Lee born 6th July 1851 at 3 Back Barn Street, Bolton and Emma Lee born 24th August 1853 at St. Thomas's Street, Radcliffe. Ann died of tuberculosis on 11th June 1854 in Bolton and was buried at Fletcher Street Wesleyan Methodist Church on 14th June. Her grave cost six shillings and her interment another three.
Mary Warburton (1834-1865)
Mary Warburton was born in Warrington and had an illegimate daughter, Elizabeth, born on 5th May 1853 at Bedford, Lancashire. She married Robert Lee on 5th July 1855 at Bolton parish church. They had two children, a daughter, Mary Ann who was born 7th August 1858 and a son, Levi who was born 10th January 1863. Mary Warburton was buried at Tonge Cemetery on 13th July 1865 in a grave which Robert had bought for her. On 24th February 1879 their daughter, Mary Ann followed her into that grave. Levi married Sarah Ellen Wearden in 1881 and they had at least 5 children, one of whom Albert, was buried in the same grave as Robert and Mary, aged 9 months.
Nancy Hatton (1834-1902)
Nancy Whittle was a widow when she married Robert on 2nd April 1866 at St. Georges church, Bolton. She had four children by her previous marriage to Thomas Whittle but only Elizabeth joined the new family, together with Levi Lee a son of Robert Lee from his marriage to Mary Warburton. The marriage to Nancy produced no children. Robert Lee was buried at Tonge Cemetery with his second wife, Mary Warburton, on 15th August 1892. Nancy died in 1902.