Mr. James Lee, of Larras Lake, Molong, N.S.W., where he had resided for nearly 80 years, died on the 5th December last, aged 90 years and 10 months. He was a member of a family whose name will be always identified with the early settlement of the British race in Australia, and especially with the pioneering days of New South Wales.
His grandfather, James Lee, arrived in the Lady Penrhyn, in Captain Campbell's company, one of the vessels of the "First Fleet," under Phillips, who was the first Governor, and who founded what is now New South Wales on 26th January, 1788. His father was William Lee, of Claremont, Kelso, the man who first took sheep over the Blue Mountains in 1815.
Mr. James Lee was of a most lovable character, his affability and generosity being known and appreciated far and wide. Notwithstanding his great age he never grew old, and for the last few years his great delight was to grow beautiful roses and apples, and never were his friends forgotten at harvest time. After managing Larras Lake for his father for many years, he, with his brothers, John and George, leased from their father Bylong, Larras Lake, Tabratong on the Bogan and South Condobolin Stations. At the death of William Lee, his father, in 1870, James Lee became sole proprietor of Larras Lake, to which estate he added Eurimbla, by purchase from the late J. S. Smith, Eurimbla being on the opposite side of the Bell River to the "Lake." The two together formed one holding of first-class grazing country with some fine alluvial flats for lucerne growing, on the frontages of the Bell and Molong Creek, which streams junction near the homestead.
When Mr. Lee's four sons had had experience after leaving school, the property was put into a limited company, with all the members of the family as shareholders, and the sons became managers, Mr. James Lee retiring to a quiet life.
Up to the formation of the company, Mr. Lee gave almost his sole attention to the breeding of high-class Merinos, in which he was very successful. His rams gained prizes at the principal shows, and were sought after by graziers and breeders from all parts. For some years, too, as a side line, he bred Shorthorns, the progeny of the famous WL brand, and a small stud of thoroughbred mares, from which he bred some high-class racehorses, one of the first being Phoebe, by Sir Hercules. She was raced by Edward Lee, and won many races for him, including the Epsom of 1868. She also ran third in the Melbourne Cup of '69. From Maiden's Blush by Hingston (imp.) the "Lake" turned out Zulu, by Barbarian, winner of a Melbourne Cup, and Frisco, by Grand Flaneur, winner of a Sydney Cup.
'Lee, James (1831–1921)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/lee-james-589/text590, accessed 4 December 2024.
from Pastoral Review, 16 January 1922
5 December,
1921
(aged ~ 90)
Molong,
New South Wales,
Australia