My Genealogy Hound

Whitmill Leggett, a pioneer of Independence County, Ark., was born on the 10th of January, 1829, in the old log cabin on the place where he now lives. He is the son of Whitmill, Sr., and Elizabeth (Masters) Leggett, the father a native of North Carolina, and the mother of Pennsylvania. The elder Leggett came to Tennessee and served about two years in the War of 1812, under Gen. Jackson. He got his brother to take his place while he came on and settled in what is now Ruddell Township, Independence County. The county was then a territory, and called Lawrence County. He was among the very first settlers of this locality, and erected a little log cabin of rough character. Everything was wild and unbroken, a few Indians were here, and the woods abounded in wild animals. The clothes and shoes were all home-made, and one pair of shoes was to last through the year. Although they experienced many hardships, they at the same time enjoyed themselves most thoroughly. He moved to the farm where Whitmill Leggett, Jr., now lives, in about 1825, and bought the land of the government. There were no improvements whatever at that time, but he set to work, and after several years of hard work had made considerable changes. He died on this place in 1855. The mother died in 1864. They were the parents of a large family of children, two now living: Jeremiah, and Whitmill, who was reared and educated in the district where he now lives. He has followed the duties on the farm from early childhood, and this he continues at the present time. He owns 240 acres of land, with 150 under cultivation, over half of which he has cultivated himself. In the conduct of his estate, Mr. Leggett gives each detailed portion of work his personal and close observance, and the care and methods ever exercised have contributed to place him among the foremost farmers of the vicinity, as he is one of the most intelligent citizens. He had one brother, Zechariah, who was killed at Chickamauga during the war. Mr. Leggett was married, in 1855, to Miss Virginia Leaneave, by whom he has two children living: Rebecca and Lou May. He was married the second time, in 1873, to Miss Victoria Ann Mack, who bore him three children: Emma A., Rachel C. and Whitmill, Jr. Mr. Leggett is a Royal Arch Mason, and has been a member of that fraternity for over thirty years. Mrs. Leggett is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, as is her daughter, Emma A.