Blanche Irving Leggett

     Blanche was born on Tuesday, 22 May 1860 at the family home at "Mill Farm", Waterford Township, Oakland County, Michigan, at 2:00 am. She was the daughter of Augustus Wright Leggett and Elizabeth Seaman. She married James Whittemore Wednesday, 14 June 1882 the Leggett family home at 169 Elizabeth Street East, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. James was a patent attorney. 5 June 1900, Blanche and her husband James were listed on the U.S. Federal Census at Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were James Whittemore [39 Michigan - October 1860], Blanche [40 Michigan - May 1860], Emma [17 Michigan - May 1883], Margaret [16 Illinois - May 1884], Nelson [13 Illinois - April 1887]. James & Blanche were married 18 years and had 3 children, 3 living. James was a lawyer. They owned a home at 67 Garfield Ave.² 22 April 1910, Blanche and her husband James were listed on the U.S. Federal Census at Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were James Whittemore [49 Michigan], Blanche [49 Michigan], Nelson W. [23 Michigan-clerk], Kiman Kaltin [25 Ireland/English][servant], Lottie Warenttit [25 Canada][servant]. They have been married 27 years with three children, all living. They were living at 67 Garfield Street. James was a patent attorney.³ 1920, Blanche and her husband James were listed on the U.S. Federal Census at Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were James Whittemore [60 Michigan], Blanche [60 Michigan].⁴ Blanche departed this life on Tuesday, 8 August 1922 at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California, at age 62 years, 2 months and 17 days.

Obituary: Mrs. Whittemore Funeral Service Held Tomorrow
The funeral service will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 o'clock for Mrs. Blanche Leggett Whittemore, at her late residence at 612 East Valerio street. The Reverand Lewis Carson, pastor of the Unitarian Church will preach the funeral service. She will be buried in the Santa Barbara Cemetery.
Mrs. Whittemore's death, which occured early yesterday morning, came as a shock to immediate family and their wide circle of friends. Left to mourn her loss are her husband, James Whittemore, and her children, Mrs. Emma T. Guest, Miss Margaret Whittemore, and W. Nelson Whittemore.
Mrs. Whittemore came to Santa Barbara several years ago from Detroit, where her family have been long identified with the social and civic life of that city.
Curing the last years of her residence here Mrs. Whittemore has been an invalid but despite that she has kept an active interest in the community life and has made many friends.
In speaking of her personality, a life long friend paid this tribute "A portion of my life has fallen from me in the death of this beloved friend. I knew her wonderful Quakeress mother, Eliza Seaman Leggett, and all her splendid, highly intellectual family, since I was eighteen years old. Blanche Leggett was then a little girl. She always had a radiant personality and unfoiled her love and magnetism every day of her life."
"She never lost an opportunity to do a kind act and had the greatest love of life and no fear of death. Her heart beats were so cheerful and loving, so devoted to her family and friends, that the tradition of man is made better from the example of her life. Her spirit can never die."
Her devoted husband, son and two daughters are left to complete their life's journey without her help. Wonderful and noble, Margaret Whittemore will follow in the foot steps of her mother, never sparing time or strength in social service. [Santa Barbara News - 9 August 1922]

Blanche was buried at Santa Barbara Cemetery, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California.⁵