Family background
Richard Lee was born c1826 at Badby in Northampton, England, the son of Joseph Lee and Sarah. Lee married Caroline Greengrass (1827-1902) at Bordesley, Warwick, England on 12 February 1855 and they had 2 sons before they immigrated to Australia with his mother; leaving from Liverpool and arriving at Sydney on 26 July 1855 on board the ship Exodus.
Richard and Caroline Lee had 5 sons and 2 daughters who were born in Sydney. They lived in Walker Street, Redfern. Lee died at Redfern on 6 September 1895, aged 69 years, and was buried in the Old Church of England Section of Rookwood Cemetery.
Occupation & interests
Richard Lee joined the police force in England and was accompanied by 97 other policeman and their families, who also immigrated on board the ship Exodus to Sydney in 1855. He joined the Sydney Police Force on the day he arrived on 26 July 1855. Lee, in charge of the Redfern District Police, retired from the service upon a well earned pension with the rank of sub-inspector. Richard Lee was a Freemason and an active member of the Redfern Bowling Club.
Local government service
Richard Lee was elected an alderman for Surry Hills Ward in 1886 following the retirement of Patrick Stanley.
References
‘Municipal’, Evening News, 26 March 1886, p.3, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/111185533