Nancy Leet was the daughter of Jonathan and Deborah (Hendryx) Leete, born on November 24, 1814 in rural New York. Jonathan and Deborah had ten children; David (1808), Victor (1809), Nancy (1814), Daniel (1815), Amy (1819), Lucy (1820), Maynarsia (1820), Lydia (1823), William (1831), Polly (1834). All of the children were born in Caneadea, New York, except the two youngest, William and Polly who were born in Oakland County, Michigan.

While Jonathan and Deborah lived in New York, Jonathan served in the War of 1812. Sometime after the 1830 Federal Census for New York state, the Leete/Leet family left New York and went to Oakland County, Michigan. It appears that this is where Nancy met and married Valentine Boyer.

I do not find either of them in the 1840 Census. I do not find a Michigan Marriage record for them either. They may have married as early as 1834 or 1835. Most records indicate that their first child, Dennison was born in 1835/1836. Valentine purchased land from the Land Management Bureau in 1840 in the area that they were known to have lived in Holly, Michigan. They settled in Rose Township, Oakland County, Michigan.

By the 1840 Federal Census, Nancy parent’s and most of her family moved on to Wabash County, Illinois but Nancy does not appear to be with them. It appears that she remained in Oakland County, Michigan. Her brother, Victor Leet, is found in the 1840 Census in Wabash County, Illinois with his father but some time later he and his family return to the Oakland County area to settle for the remainder of his lives.

The 1850 Federal Census is the first record which shows Valentine and Nancy together as a family and they already have four children; Dennison (1835), Amy (1843), Austin (1847) and David (1850). Valentine is a Farmer.

By the time of the 1860 Federal Census, Valentine and Nancy have six living children; Dennis, Amy, Austin, David, Sarah Ann (1853) and Elizabeth (1855)

In the 1870 Federal Census, Valentine and Nancy have six children who remain at home; Dennis, Amy, Austin, David, Sarah Ann and Elizabeth. Dennis (or Dennison) and Austin have recently returned from serving in the Civil War for the North.

In the 1880 Federal Census, Austin and his son Lennie and David and his family are living with Valentine and Nancy in Holly, Michigan.

One hundred and twenty years ago, at the age of 86 years old, on September 8, 1900, Nancy died in Holly, Michigan. She is buried in Beebe Cemetery in Rose township.

Rest in peace, Nancy!

Love, Jan

Nancy Leete / Leet Boyer is my three time Great Grandmother.