Rachel Leggett
Born:
about 1765
Marriage:
About 1788 united to Isaiah Watkins
Parents:
Undiscovered
Died:
Enumerated last in 1830 Grayson County, Kentucky
The first known immigrant to the United States with the surname Legget was Gabriel Leggett arriving in New York in 1640
Rachel wife of Isaiah Watkins of Grayson County, Kentucky was born between 1760 and 1769 according to census records. No records are available to confirm her parentage or birthplace.
In the 1770's and 1780's Kentucky Pioneers sent petitions to the Governor of Virginia for the right to establish towns in the area of Kentucky including salt manufacturing rights, and other requests.
A James Leggett and a John Leggett are listed as signing these petitions of the early inhabitants of Kentucky.
John Legget signed:
Now your Petitioners humbly pray that if the Claimants do
not immediately errect Salt Manufactories at the different
Springs claimed by them The honourable House would take
it into their consideration and Order that the said Springs
should be made publick Property and be Manufactored by
Government by which Means Government would be profited &
your Petitioners have speedy relief and your Petitioners in
duty bound shall ever pray
Endorsement on the back of petition: Petition of Inhabitants of Kentucky.
1777, Nov. 25. Ref'd to Propns. ref'd to next session of Assembly. 1st (Re-
jected)
The importance of a conservation of salt and the encouragement of its pro-
duction may be seen from the following acts bearing upon the subject and passed
at different times by the Assembly :
An ordinance for erecting Salt works in the colony and for encouraging the
making of Salt. Henings Statutes Vol. 9 — 122. An Act for encouraging the
making of Salt. Henings Statutes Vol. 9 —310.
An Act authorizing the seizure of Salt in the same manner as provisions for
the use of the army. Henings Statutes Vol.9. 381. An Act to supply the inhabi-
tants of the commonwealth with salt upon reasonable terms. "Whereas divers
iU disposed persons have possessed themselves of large quantities of Salt, which
they have not only refused to sell at any reasonable price, but to enhance the
value of their own salt&c." An embargo was placed on the shipment and the
freeholders might seize salt upon warrant issued by a justice of the peace.
James Liggett (Leggett) signed:
we therefore pray that an act may pass to establish
a Town at the Falls of the Ohio river agreable to the plan sent,
and that the present settlers & holders of the lotts in the said
Town may have them confirmed to them on paying a compen-
sation that may be thought reasonable to any one having a
right thereto if thought requisite or to the Commonwealth;
and not let us be turned out of houses we have built and from
lotts we have improved & are about to build on & thereby
loose the labour we have preformed at the risque of our lives, —
all these several matters we your petitioners beg leave to lay
before your Hone. House and hope, you will comply with our request in [a]dopting the prayer of our petition, or some other
method that you in your wisdom may think proper, that will
conduce to the Interest and Security of this exposed part of
the State, and we as in duty bound shall ever pray &c. &c. &c.
May I, 1780.
In the 1770's and 1780's Kentucky Pioneers sent petitions to the Governor of Virginia for the right to establish towns in the area of Kentucky including salt manufacturing rights, and other requests.
A James Leggett and a John Leggett are listed as signing these petitions of the early inhabitants of Kentucky.
John Legget signed:
Now your Petitioners humbly pray that if the Claimants do
not immediately errect Salt Manufactories at the different
Springs claimed by them The honourable House would take
it into their consideration and Order that the said Springs
should be made publick Property and be Manufactored by
Government by which Means Government would be profited &
your Petitioners have speedy relief and your Petitioners in
duty bound shall ever pray
Endorsement on the back of petition: Petition of Inhabitants of Kentucky.
1777, Nov. 25. Ref'd to Propns. ref'd to next session of Assembly. 1st (Re-
jected)
The importance of a conservation of salt and the encouragement of its pro-
duction may be seen from the following acts bearing upon the subject and passed
at different times by the Assembly :
An ordinance for erecting Salt works in the colony and for encouraging the
making of Salt. Henings Statutes Vol. 9 — 122. An Act for encouraging the
making of Salt. Henings Statutes Vol. 9 —310.
An Act authorizing the seizure of Salt in the same manner as provisions for
the use of the army. Henings Statutes Vol.9. 381. An Act to supply the inhabi-
tants of the commonwealth with salt upon reasonable terms. "Whereas divers
iU disposed persons have possessed themselves of large quantities of Salt, which
they have not only refused to sell at any reasonable price, but to enhance the
value of their own salt&c." An embargo was placed on the shipment and the
freeholders might seize salt upon warrant issued by a justice of the peace.
James Liggett (Leggett) signed:
we therefore pray that an act may pass to establish
a Town at the Falls of the Ohio river agreable to the plan sent,
and that the present settlers & holders of the lotts in the said
Town may have them confirmed to them on paying a compen-
sation that may be thought reasonable to any one having a
right thereto if thought requisite or to the Commonwealth;
and not let us be turned out of houses we have built and from
lotts we have improved & are about to build on & thereby
loose the labour we have preformed at the risque of our lives, —
all these several matters we your petitioners beg leave to lay
before your Hone. House and hope, you will comply with our request in [a]dopting the prayer of our petition, or some other
method that you in your wisdom may think proper, that will
conduce to the Interest and Security of this exposed part of
the State, and we as in duty bound shall ever pray &c. &c. &c.
May I, 1780.
Though no documentation exists to confirm the parents of Rachel Watkins, men of this not so common surname are proven to be early settlers of the state of Kentucky.
The last census record available for Rachel Wadkins (Watkins) offers that she is living alone in Grayson County, Kentucky in 1830. She is enumerated as 60-69 years of age. Isaiah Watkins dies about 1816 last censused in 1810. He is baptized as a member of the Severns Valley Baptist Church in 1803 on the same date as Samuel Watkins Jr., son of Samuel Watkins listed on the 1800 Hardin County tax list. Isaiah Watkins is listed as a messenger for Rock Creek Baptist Church of Grayson County, Kentucky in 1813. Rachel Watkins is not mentioned in those early records.
Research of the subject indicates that Isaiah and Rachel married sometime around 1788 in the state of Maryland. Isaiah and Rachel offered to the census taker of 1810 that they had 7 children (2 boys and 5 girls) living in the household at that time. Neither Isaiah nor Rachel lived long enough to be included in a census record that would offer their birthplace. Researchers claim Isaiah Watkins was born in Virginia. It seems possible that this is a mistake in research due to the oldest of their daughters (Rachel and Susannah) both offer their birthplaces to be in Maryland. Isaiah nor Rachel leave us a will or bible record to show their family's history.
The children discovered to be from the union of Rachel and Isaiah Watkins:
James L. Watkins
Born:
1799 Kentucky
Isaiah Watkins Jr.
Born:
Between 1802-1804 Kentucky
Matilda Watkins:
Born 1807 Kentucky
Matilda Watkins married William H. Jolly before 1829 in Grayson County, Kentucky and then removed from Kentucky to Illinois between 1831 and 1834 according to the 1850 Macoupin County, Illinois Federal Census record that lists their children and their birthplaces. It is noteworthy that the oldest daughter of William H. Jolly and Matilda Watkins is given the name Sarah Phillips Jolly. This information was acquired from several different applications to the "Sons of the American Revolution" by Sarah Phillips Jolly's descendants. The applications do not name her parents, but do list where she was born and who and when she married. "Phillips" is an unusual middle name for a female but not out of the ordinary for parents to give a child the maiden name of their grandmother as a middle name. Researching the Phillips surname in early records in the area found a Phillip Phillips who served as clerk for the Severns Valley Baptist Church in 1789. Phillip Phillips is mentioned with frequency in their early records until the church cited him in 1794.
(see below)
The children discovered to be from the union of Rachel and Isaiah Watkins:
James L. Watkins
Born:
1799 Kentucky
Isaiah Watkins Jr.
Born:
Between 1802-1804 Kentucky
Matilda Watkins:
Born 1807 Kentucky
Matilda Watkins married William H. Jolly before 1829 in Grayson County, Kentucky and then removed from Kentucky to Illinois between 1831 and 1834 according to the 1850 Macoupin County, Illinois Federal Census record that lists their children and their birthplaces. It is noteworthy that the oldest daughter of William H. Jolly and Matilda Watkins is given the name Sarah Phillips Jolly. This information was acquired from several different applications to the "Sons of the American Revolution" by Sarah Phillips Jolly's descendants. The applications do not name her parents, but do list where she was born and who and when she married. "Phillips" is an unusual middle name for a female but not out of the ordinary for parents to give a child the maiden name of their grandmother as a middle name. Researching the Phillips surname in early records in the area found a Phillip Phillips who served as clerk for the Severns Valley Baptist Church in 1789. Phillip Phillips is mentioned with frequency in their early records until the church cited him in 1794.
(see below)
"25
April 1794
a Charge brought
against Brother Phillips for allowing of frolicking about his house
and for Indulging his Children to go to them and that Brother Hodgen
do Require him to attend to the Same at our Next Meeting in course"
"25 May
1794
the Church Met
according to order and after Prayer Proceeded to business as foloweth
Brother Hodgen
reported that Brother Phillips refused to attend and it is concluded
that he once more be cited to attend our next Monthly Meeting"
". .
June 1794
Brother Phillips
attended but gave no Satisfaction for breach of covenant it is
concluded that he Shall be Secluded from this Church"
Phillip Phillips is not mentioned again in the early minutes of Severns Valley Baptist Church. Researchers claim his life on earth ended in 1797. There exists evidence to prove Phillip Phillips lived in close proximity, sold land to, and attended church meetings with the Watkins of the area.
Below you will find females that available documents show evidence to indicate they may be undiscovered daughters of Isaiah and Rachel Watkins. You will be directed to the post created of the subject by clicking on the subject's name.
Susannah Watkins Born: 1788 Maryland
Elizabeth Watkins Born: 1789 Maryland
Rachel Watkins Born: 1792 Maryland
Unknown Daughter Born: 1800-1809
Unknown Daughter Born: 1800-1809
Note:
Two daughters born between 1800 - 1809 remain undiscovered. Elizabeth Watkins Born 1789 has been researched and believed to be the daughter of a Benjamin Watkins. None have been found to offer documentation to support the claims. Elizabeth married William Armour in 1810 in Grayson County, Kentucky. She offers no children the name of "Benjamin" but names a son "Isaiah". Isaiah Armour born 1815-1816 marries Elizabeth Rhoads a niece by marriage of Susannah Watkins Rhoads, daughter of Isaiah Watkins. Elizabeth Watkins Armour was not included in the household of her parents when the census was taken in 1810.
1810 Grayson County Federal Census record for William Armour and Elizabeth Watkins newly married living in close proximity to the household of Isaiah Watkins can be viewed below:
Researching the type of life women of the day would have led discovers how difficult times would have been for Rachel Watkins. 80% of Americans were farming, Kentucky pioneers lived in one room cabins and lived solely from the earth and what they could work to produce from it.
Kentucky Pioneer Women
"All within is neat; brightly shine the puncheon floor
for Rebecca had been trained in useful household lore;
And the simple table filled with nature's gifts, was spread
with bear steak and wild lettuce, and venison for bread
The wild plum, and pawpaw, and the grape, crowned the board
and freedom, love, and health, beyond the miser's hoard
All honor to Kentucky's primal mother, wife
The worthy harbinger of coming love and life."
James L. Watkins offers that he was born in Kentucky on later census records giving us the evidence that this Watkins family migrated from Maryland after 1792 (The year Rachel Watkins was born) and before 1799 (The year James L. Watkins was born). The families of Samuel Watkins and James Watkins of the 1800 Hardin County tax list were settlers of the area before 1790, though their relationship to each other has not been proven, the information available leads you to imagine they were related to Isaiah Watkins, husband of Rachel Watkins, in some manor.
Many young Kentucky men fought in the War of 1812 including sons in law of Rachel Watkins. The biological sons of Rachel Watkins would have been too young to serve at that time.
Below you will find females that available documents show evidence to indicate they may be undiscovered daughters of Isaiah and Rachel Watkins. You will be directed to the post created of the subject by clicking on the subject's name.
Susannah Watkins Born: 1788 Maryland
Elizabeth Watkins Born: 1789 Maryland
Rachel Watkins Born: 1792 Maryland
Unknown Daughter Born: 1800-1809
Unknown Daughter Born: 1800-1809
Note:
Two daughters born between 1800 - 1809 remain undiscovered. Elizabeth Watkins Born 1789 has been researched and believed to be the daughter of a Benjamin Watkins. None have been found to offer documentation to support the claims. Elizabeth married William Armour in 1810 in Grayson County, Kentucky. She offers no children the name of "Benjamin" but names a son "Isaiah". Isaiah Armour born 1815-1816 marries Elizabeth Rhoads a niece by marriage of Susannah Watkins Rhoads, daughter of Isaiah Watkins. Elizabeth Watkins Armour was not included in the household of her parents when the census was taken in 1810.
1810 Grayson County Federal Census record for William Armour and Elizabeth Watkins newly married living in close proximity to the household of Isaiah Watkins can be viewed below:
Researching the type of life women of the day would have led discovers how difficult times would have been for Rachel Watkins. 80% of Americans were farming, Kentucky pioneers lived in one room cabins and lived solely from the earth and what they could work to produce from it.
Kentucky Pioneer Women
"All within is neat; brightly shine the puncheon floor
for Rebecca had been trained in useful household lore;
And the simple table filled with nature's gifts, was spread
with bear steak and wild lettuce, and venison for bread
The wild plum, and pawpaw, and the grape, crowned the board
and freedom, love, and health, beyond the miser's hoard
All honor to Kentucky's primal mother, wife
The worthy harbinger of coming love and life."
James L. Watkins offers that he was born in Kentucky on later census records giving us the evidence that this Watkins family migrated from Maryland after 1792 (The year Rachel Watkins was born) and before 1799 (The year James L. Watkins was born). The families of Samuel Watkins and James Watkins of the 1800 Hardin County tax list were settlers of the area before 1790, though their relationship to each other has not been proven, the information available leads you to imagine they were related to Isaiah Watkins, husband of Rachel Watkins, in some manor.
Many young Kentucky men fought in the War of 1812 including sons in law of Rachel Watkins. The biological sons of Rachel Watkins would have been too young to serve at that time.
The sons of Rachel Watkins live out their lives in the area of Grayson County, Kentucky and have populated the area with many descendants some of whom remain in the county to date.
Searching census records from 1820 to 1870 in Grayson County, Kentucky the "Watkins" households enumerated were all descendants of Isaiah and Rachel Watkins.
Your input is appreciated!
servive@1forevermore.com
Searching census records from 1820 to 1870 in Grayson County, Kentucky the "Watkins" households enumerated were all descendants of Isaiah and Rachel Watkins.
Your input is appreciated!
servive@1forevermore.com