William Leggett1,2

M, b. 1 September 1691, d. 26 March 1763
FatherGabriel Leggett d. b 30 Jul 1700
MotherElizabeth Richardson b. c 1659, d. 1721
     William was born on Saturday, 1 September 1691 in West Farms, Westchester County, New York. In his will of 16 April 1697, William’s father left him “one hundred acres of woodland and fifty acres of meadow lying behind the field within the bounds of our patent together with all the undivided meadow which shall fall to my heir as also my house and home lot with an orchard thereon lying in the town of Westchester aforesaid to him, his heirs and assignes forever”. His mother,Elizabeth, as a gift, deeded over to him 50 acres of land being in the rear of Lot #11 and also 6 acres adjoining the meadow of John Leggett, deceased, reserving the right of way to Gabriel, a brother of William. Dated 14 January 1714. William married Sarah (?) in 1714 in West Farms. The names & dates of William & Sarah's children are as seen in William's bible: William [3/26/1715-1763][m. Elizabeth], Sarah [1/04/1720-___][m. Charles Frasier], Elizabeth [8/09/1724], Charity [4/21/1726], Abraham [7/03/1728-6/02/1813][m. Geertje Childs], Mary [7/10/1730] & John [2/04/1733-12/__/1760][m. Sarah Alsop].3 On 30 September 1723, William Davenport and his wife Bridget did convey all their right, title and interest in the Patent of West Farms [William's sister's inheritance from their father] unto William Leggett. Starting in 1730, William was an alderman or mayor of the borough town of Westchester much of time until his death.4 William's wife, Sarah, died on 30 August 1744 in West Farms leaving him a widower. William married 2nd Abigail (?) on 13 April 1745 in West Farms. William made his will on 8 December 1762. It mentions his wife Abigail; daughter Mary, wife of Richard Lawrence of Staten Island; daughter Sarah Frasier, widow; grandson William Frasier; granddaughters Sarah and Mary Frasier, son Abraham; eldest son William; grandson Abraham, son of deceased son John; grandson William, son of said John, and granddaughters Frances and Susannah, daughters of the said John. William departed this life on Saturday, 26 March 1763 in West Farms at age 71 years, 6 months and 25 days. He was first buried at a family plot at West Farms. When his coffin was resumed it bore "Wm Leggett - Aged 71 Years," formed by large headed copper nails. The copper preserved not only the portion of the lid in which they were driven, but the arm bone which lay beneath it. Some of the people were determined to be over six foot & some near seven foot. After the property left the family, his grave, along with eight others, were removed to the churchyard at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Westchester, The Bronx, New York. [New York Times - April 1, 1891] His will was probated on 21 May 1763.

Family 1

Sarah (?) b. 1692, d. 30 Aug 1744

Family 2

Abigail (?) b. 3 Jul 1728, d. 2 Jan 1813

Citations

  1. [S77] Copied from the manuscript record of the late Rev. Theodore A. Leggett by A. Hatfield Jr., Early Settlers of West Farms, Westchester County, New York [Copied from the manuscript record of the late Rev, Theodore A. Leggett], pages 31-32.
  2. [S22] Norman Davis, Westchester Patriarchs, A Genealogical Dictionary of Westchester Co., N.Y., page 148.
  3. [S77] Copied from the manuscript record of the late Rev. Theodore A. Leggett by A. Hatfield Jr., Early Settlers of West Farms, Westchester County, New York [Copied from the manuscript record of the late Rev, Theodore A. Leggett], page 31 - family of William Leggett - the names and dates came out of William's bible and were in his own hand.
  4. [S2440] Richard Donald Leggett, Leaves of the Leggett Lineage, Section 1, page 10.