Margaret Peck Wright

     Margaret Peck was born on Thursday, 16 January 1794 in the City, County & State of New York. Her middle name "Peck" was not after a relative but simply after the name of one of her mother's friends.² Margaret Peck married William Haight Leggett, son of Thomas Leggett Jr. and Mary Haight, on 28 December 1814 at the Brick Presbyterian Church in the City, County & State of New York. They were married by Rev. Mr. Spring.³ She and William were blessed with 11 children. Margaret Peck Wright and William Haight Leggett lived at 307 Pearl Street in the City, County & State of New York. Margaret Peck Wright and William Haight Leggett lived at Rose Bank, Morrissania, West Farms, Westchester County, New York. Morrisianna consisted of 250 morgan obtained originally by Capt. Richard Morris from the indians. Capt. Morris came to Westchester in 1674 from Barbados. Most of her life, she suffered with ill health until she was about fifty years old. It was about that time she became quite stout and her health problems disappeared. 29 October 1850, Margaret and her husband, William, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in West Farms, Westchester County, New York. Enumerated in this household were William H. Leggett [61 New York], his wife: Margaret W. [56 New York], William L. Allen [33 New York - lawyer], his wife Catherine M. Allen [32 New York], Margaret L. Allen [9 New York], Sarah Allen [4 New York], John W. [23 New York], George F. [21 New York], Francis W. [16 New York], servants: Maria McCullogh [21 Ireland], Alice Galghar [51 Ireland], Alice Macaulff [28 Ireland], James Riley [16 Ireland- coachman], James Riley [52 Ireland - laborer] & Bridget Leary [36 Ireland]. His real estate value was $80,000.⁴ 18 June 1860, Margaret and her husband William were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in the City, County & State of New York. Enumerated in this household were William H. Leggett [70 New York], his wife: Margaret [64 New York], son, George F. [30 New York-clerk], George's wife: Charlotte M. [25 New York], Phebe Leggett [35 New York], Mary Nelson [16 New York], Sarah Leggett [6 New York], & domestics: Ann Meridan [30 Ireland], Mary O'Neill [30 Ireland], & Mary McCullough [25 Ireland]. Value of property $5,000 for William & $500.00 for George F.^5,6 Margaret's husband, William, died on 23 December 1863 in his home at no. 9 East 16th Street in the City, County & State of New York, leaving her a widow. Margaret died on Tuesday, 16 April 1878 in Elizabeth Town, Union County, New Jersey, at the home of her son, Thomas apparently from old age. A telegraph was received by her son, Augustus from his brother Samuel - "Elizabeth, New Jersey - Apr. 16, 1878 2:15 pm to Aug W. Leggett 169 East Elizabeth Street - Mother died at noon - Funeral from New York Friday - Samuel M. Leggett." At the bottom of this telegraph is written this tells of the death of Margaret Wright Leggett, wife of William H. Leggett. Margaret was laid to rest in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, Westchester County, New York, alongside her husband.