James M. Leigh (abt. 1835 - 1908)

Born about 1835 in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee [uncertain]

Husband of Frances Susan (Riley) Leigh — married 1863 in Virginia

Descendants

Died 5 May 1908 at about age 73 in Harpers Ferry, Jefferson County, West Virginia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Lorrain Leckliter [send private message]

Biography

James was born between 1824 [Shepardstown Register Obituary] [1826 headstone 1910-84 yrs old] and March of 1835 [1900 census], in Tennessee. He married Frances Susan Riley and had at least seven daughters. James is listed as a farmer on the 1880 census. By 1900 he has moved to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. His place of birth is now Tennessee. His wife is now using the name Susan.

The Shepardstown Register: Thursday May 7 1908:
"James M. Leigh, 84 years old, died at Harpers Ferry Tuesday morning [05/05] of ulceration of the bowels. He was a soldier in the Mexican War, enlisting at Nashville, Tenn., in Captain Bradshaw's company. He lived in Nashville until 27 years ago, when he removed to Harpers Ferry. His wife and six children survive him."

His headstone was probably placed years after his death with the incorrect date. The obituary, being published in 1908, would seem a more accurate source for his death.

The 1900 census states they had 9 children with 6 surviving. My great grandmother, Bertha 'Bertie' [Leigh] Bond, was one of those daughters.

Source

1864 US Civil War Prisoner of War Records 1861-1865
1870 Census Grant Township, Jefferson County WV: James Lay
1880 Census Longmarch, Clarke County VA: James Lay
1900 Census Harpers Ferry, Jefferson County WV: James Lay
1908 Death/Obit Shepardstown Register [WV]: James M Leigh Find A Grave James M Leigh memorial# 25462137

Note

The 1880 census has John Riley, grandfather, 103, born in Virginia, living with James and Frances. I have researched John Riley and found no connections to the Lay/Leigh family. However, John had a daughter, Frances Susan Riley, born about 1835 VA. It is my belief that one of James' teenage daughters may have given the census information and John Riley was the children's grandfather, not a grandfather of either parent. John is also on their 1870 census, relationship are not stated on that census year.

Update: Death Certificates of 3 of James and Frances' daughters state their mother was Frances Riley. John Riley was her father, grandfather of the children on the census.