1870 census PO Etna, South, Siskiyou, CA: David Lee, aged 39, farm laborer, bp IL; Sarah aged 23, bp IL; Frank aged 6 months, bp CA.
1880 census Hutton Twp, Coles, IL: Sarah Lee, aged 32, keeping house, bp IL, father IN, mother IL; Frank aged 10; Angeline aged 8; and Charles aged 6 -- all born California; and Josephine aged 3, bp IL. Sarah is listed as married, however, her husband David is living with his mother Catherine in Westfield, Clark County, IL, is listed as divorced and is paralyzed.
Notes from Carol Lee Smith, granddaughter of Frank Brown Lee sent to me on December 15, 2004: "Frank Brown Lee deserted his family and according to my Dad's recollections he went to Florida and joined a religious cult and was never heard from again. However, my cousin said that his Grandpa Bryan Jennings Lee thought that his Grandma knew where he was but wouldn't tell anyone!!?? I guess that would be Sarah (Thornton) Lee Doty. As far as I know, no one knows where he lived or when he died. My cousin thinks he changed his name."