The Hattie (Lee) and William H. Roberts Family

Hattie Lee

was born in 1874 to James Monroe and Emily (Byrd) Lee. Hattie's parents were working, likely as sharecroppers, on the Helm Farm when Hattie was born. When Mr. Helm died, his son, Gustav, distributed about 3-4 acres to each family working on the land. Hattie and her family began a new, independent life on this land in the Reservation community.

Hattie married William H. Roberts (1872-1944) on October 4, 1894 in Williamsburg, VA. William was the son of William Roberts (1838-) and Elizabeth "Betsey" Banks (1839-) and the brother of Justice John A. "Tack" Roberts (1859-1932).

Together, Hattie and William had seven children: Mattie Lee, Norman H., Robert Dewey, Elmore, William B., Sarah Emma, and William.

In 1917, a year before the U.S. government would announce they were taking the land in the Reservation community, the family experienced tragedy. Tubercolosis swept through the household. On February 27 of that year, Hattie died of tubercolosis at just 43 years old. Eight months later on October 21, tubercolosis also took her daughter Mattie's life. Born in 1895, Mattie was just 23 years old. Four days after Mattie's death, on October 25, Hattie's father, James Monroe Lee passed away due to paralysis, perhaps a complication of tubercolosis. Father, daughter, and granddaughter were all buried in the Cheesecake Cemetery that year.

William Benjamin "Willie" Roberts (1902-1976)

was born on February 18, 1902 to Hattie and William Roberts. 

William married a woman named Sarah, according to 1930 census records. He later appears to have married a woman named Elizabeth, according to his death certificate. 

Like his brother, Elmore, he moved to Philadelphia, PA. He was working for the United States government when he registered for the World War II draft.

William passed away in 1976.

William Roberts (1910-)

was born in 1910 to Hattie and William Roberts. He was a child when his mother died and then his family was force to move from the Reservation community.