Mortimer Allen Leggett1,2,3

M, b. 18 October 1837, d. 18 November 1930
Mortimer Allen Leggett|b. 18 Oct 1837\nd. 18 Nov 1930|p10.htm|Augustus Wright Leggett|b. 11 Jun 1816\nd. 12 Jan 1885|p8.htm|Elizabeth Seaman|b. 9 May 1815\nd. 9 Feb 1900|p9.htm|||||||||||||
FatherAugustus Wright Leggett b. 11 Jun 1816, d. 12 Jan 1885
MotherElizabeth Seaman b. 9 May 1815, d. 9 Feb 1900
Mortimer Allen Leggett
     Mortimer was born on Wednesday, 18 October 1837 at the family home at 76 Mercer Street, New York City, New York County, New York, at 8:45 pm. He was the son of Augustus Wright Leggett and Elizabeth Seaman. He also went by the name of Mort. Mortimer married Jane Mais Whitehead on 7 April 1858 at Oakland County, Michigan. 5 June 1870, Mortimer and his wife, Jane, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census at Waterford Township, Oakland County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were M. A. Leggett [32 New York - farmer - Property value $8,000 & personal $2,000], Jinnie M. [30 Michigan], William H. [11 Michigan], Catharine M. [4 Michigan], May [2 Michigan]. [Drayton Plains P.O.]4 Mortimer's wife, Jane, died on 11 July 1874 in Waterford Township, Oakland County, Michigan, at age 34 years, 11 months and 3 days, leaving him a widower.5 On 7 June 1880, Mortimer was listed on the US Federal Census at Waterford Township, Oakland County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were Mortimer A. Leggett [42 New York], William H. [21 Michigan], Catherine M. [17 Michigan], May E. [12 Michigan]. Mortimer & William are farmers.6 9 June 1900, Mortimer was listed on the U.S. Federal Census at Waterford Township, Oakland County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were Mortimer A. Leggett [62 New York - October 1837], William H. [41 Michigan-March 1859 - violinist], Catherine May [36 Michigan - September 1863].7 16 April 1910, Mortimer was listed on the U.S. Federal Census at Waterford Township, Oakland County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were Mortimer A. Leggett [72 New York, New York & New York - widower], Catherine M. [47 Michigan, New York & Michigan - single]. He was a farmer & owned a general farm.8 5 January 1920, Mortimer was listed on the U.S. Federal Census at Waterford Township, Oakland County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were M. A. Leggett [82 New York], Catherine M. [57 Michigan], William H. [61 Michigan - div.], Elrose Randall [6 Michigan - neice], Frank Riker [57 New York - hired man].9 Mortimer departed this life on Tuesday, 18 November 1930 at his home - "The Willows", Waterford Township, Oakland County, Michigan, at age 93 years and 1 month. Notice in Paper: Mortimer A. Leggett, age 91, of one mile west of Clintonville, Michigan, born New York City 10/18/1837, son of Augustus W. & Eliza Seaman Leggett, who came to Michigan 1851, settled first year in Pontiac, Michigan, married 1858 Jane Whitehead of Elizabeth Lake, daughter of pioneer parents who came here from New York City. Had four children: Percival deceased, William H., Catherine M., May E. Leggett. [Pontiac Daily Press - 7 June 1929] Mortimer was buried at Drayton Plains Cemetery, Drayton Plains, Oakland County, Michigan. His stone reads: 1837-11/18/1930 age 93 years old. [BO 82]

Family

Jane Mais Whitehead b. 8 Aug 1839, d. 11 Jul 1874
Children

Citations

  1. [S15] Michigan Daughters of the American Revolution, Old Bible and Other Genealogical Records, Volue 5: page 103.
  2. [S8] Beverly Lancaster & Russel Reed, Cemetery Records Waterford Township, Oakland County, Michigan, page 51.
  3. [S45] Findagrave.com, Mortimer married Jane Mais Whitehead on 7 April 1858 at Elizabeth Lake, Oakland County, Michigan. They were married on Wednesday at 8:00 by the Rev. Mr. Dooley, Episcopal.

    Excerpts from an article that appeared in the Pontiac Daily Press, 7 June 1929:

    "Mortimer A. Leggett, an Oakland County nonogenarian, living on the same farm, one mile west of Clintonville, that he bought and cleared 70 years ago, and in the same house he erected then, looks out upon a material progress in this vicinity few men have lived to witness.

    This hardy pioneer was born New York City, October 18, 1837. His father was an editor of a New York paper, and the young man worked in the print shop when a lad. Failing health led the elder Leggett to migrate to the pine lands of Michigan in 1851, and with him came the son, then 14 years of age." ...

    "Mr. Leggett was Pontiac's pioneer fiddler. For years the strains of his sweet fiddle were heard at dances and public gatherings, and the announcement of 'Music by Leggett' was sure to bring a crowd. From that fiddling father came the first rudiments of music which blossomed forth in the violin accomplishments of a son, William H. Leggett, Pontiac's well-know violinist."

    The following is an excerpt from "Historical Collections," Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society, Vol 35, Lansing, 1907, pgs. 688-691:

    Reminiscences of Mortimer A. Leggett

    "In 1852 my father and his family left the city of New York for the, then, far west, as Michigan was called. We sailed up the Hudson river to Albany, which took about twice as long a time as it does now. From Albany we went to Buffalo on the New York Central railroad, then a single track, now it has five. From Buffalo we took a steamboat for Detroit, as there were no railroads out from Buffalo.

    Detroit at that time was a small place compared to what it is today. Where the Union depot stands on Fort street was pretty well out of town, and up Jefferson avenue you soon struck farms after you passed Brush street. Grand Circus Park was the end of the city on Woodward avenue, and both Woodward and Jefferson avenues had plank roads running through the center of each street.

    Pontiac was our destination, and there it was we boarded the much-talked-of railroad that ran on the strap-rail. The train consisted of an engine no larger than one of our threshing engines, with no tender to carry wood and water; this was hitched onto two cars, a baggage and passenger coach; both of these cars would not be as large as a modern car. ...

    At last we arrived at Pontiac, the train running into the building, one side of it for passengers, the other for freight. Here was the greatest confusion; criers for the hotels and criers for the stages. Outside were stages for Flint, Saginaw, Lapeer, Rochester, Corunna and Milford. What a funny sight it would be now to see all those stages with their four horses starting out from the Hodges House; that was the place of starting." ...

    And from "PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES OF THE GOVERNORS OF MICHIGAN AND OF THE PRESIDENTS ...," pg 840:
    "In politics he affiliates with the Republican party and served as a delegate to the Republican Convention at Detroit, where delegates were selected for the convention in Chicago at the time Gen. Grant was last nominated for the Presidency. For thirty consecutive years Mr. Leggett has been Treasurer of his school district, and has served as Supervisor and Census Enumerator."
    [courtesy of Ron Genry]
  4. [S32] 1870 United States Federal Census, Waterford Township, Oakland County, Michigan - sheet 22.
  5. [S29] Note, Oakland County Death Records [State of Michigan]: Leger page 11, record no. 91 - she died of dropsy of the lungs at age 35 years. She was the daughter of Almeron & Annie Whitehead. She is buried at Oakhill Cemetery, Pontiac, Michigan. [1839-1874][plot 1-169]
  6. [S33] 1880 United States Federal Census, Waterford Township, Oakland County, Michigan - Enumeration District 273, sheet 11, line 39.
  7. [S35] 1900 United States Federal Census, Waterford Township, Oakland County, Michigan - Enumeration District 109, sheet 4, line 85.
  8. [S36] 1910 United States Federal Census, Waterford Township, Oakland County, Michigan - Enumeration District 154, sheet 1b, line 67.
  9. [S37] 1920 United States Federal Census, Waterford Township, Oakland County, Michigan - Enumeration District 206, sheet 1b, line 59.
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