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The Lee family is first mentioned in connection with Captain John Worley, although it appears that they were not necessarily on the best of terms, as the following shows:

1716- Court - Chowan Precinct - Capt. John Worley, Esq. - Thomas Lee is accused of maliciously committing false libel in writing to the defaming of Capt. Worley: "through his ignorance and spite to me (meaning the said Thomas Lee) I am like to be a great sufferer in many particulars for he (Worley) gives ill advice to my servants, and . . . " (is not doing his job properly with regard to debts collection).

1716 - Court - Chowan Precinct - Capt. John Worley, Esq. - Thomas Lee pleads not guilty to charges of libel against Worley. Repeats his statetements of before, and claims that Worley "kicked him" as he left Worley's house.

However, Thomas Lee (presumably, Thomas Lee, Jr.) later signed the bond relating to guardianship of the orphaned children of John Worley, Jr. and Esther Blount.