Robert Leggett
Robert was the son of Noah Leggett and Elizabeth Hunt. He was born at Gislingham, Suffolk, England, and was baptised there on 31 January 1778.
As an adult, his occupation was a labourer.
He married Mary Dorkin.
Robert and Mary were parents of
- Ephraim Leggett, born 06 February 1810 in parish of St Clemence, Ipswich, and baptised on 27 February 1810 in St Nicholas Wesleyan Methodist Church in Colchester.
Click on Ephraim's name for further information. - Elijah Leggett (twin) : born in Playford, Sufflolk, where the family resided on 28 November 1817, baptised 8 March 1818 (recorded as 1817, but almost certainly an error given the date of birth) in the Ebenezer Wesleyan Methodist Chapel in Ipswich, although the family resided in nearby Playford. In the 1851 census of Finningham, Ref HO 107 fol.146, Elijah Leggett age 32, agricultural labourer, born in Playford, is head of a household. Also in the house are
- his wife Hannah Leggett, age 30 and born in Eye, Suffolk;
- son William aged 10 years also born in Eye, Suffolk;
- son James, aged 8 years, born in Finningham.
- and daughter Phillis, aged 3, also born in Finningham;
- Arthur Leggett (twin) : born in Playford, Suffolk, on 28 November 1817, baptised 8 March 1818 in the Ebenezer Wesleyan Methodist Chapel in Ipswich.
- Charles Leggett : born 29 January 1819 in Playford; baptised 20 June 1819 in the Ebenezer Wesleyan Methodist Chapel in Ipswich, although the family resided in nearby Playford; still living at Finningham at the time of his father's death in 1863.
- James Leggett : born 3 February 1821 in Playford and baptised 11 March 1821 in the Ebenezer Wesleyan Methodist Chapel in Ipswich.
- Marianne Leggett : born approximately 1826 but details not located. In the 1851 census of Finningham, Ref: HO 107 fol.1795, the family name is incorrectly recorded as "Sleggall", but other sources confirm it is the household of Robert Leggatt or Leggett. The census records that Robert, a widower, shared his home with his daughter Marianne Gostling, a widow, age 25 and born in Gislingham. Also in the house were Robert's grandchildren Frederic Gostling (age 6 years) and Marianne Gostling (age 4 years).
Mary died 19 February 1844 at Finingham, at age 59, the cause being recorded as "dropsy"; the informant was her husband Robert who made his "X" mark.
In the 1861 census of Framingham (ref RG9 1148; folio 94, page 2), Robert was recorded as a widower, age 82, head & lone occupant of household, occupation agricultural labourer.
Robert died on 27 September 1863 at Finningham, at age 87. The cause of death was recorded as "natural decay" and the informant was his son Charles Leggett, resident of Finningham, who was present at the death and mad his "X" mark for the record. Robert's son Ephraim died in May 1863 and it would have taken three to four months for the news to reach England. One can imagine that, for the frail old Robert, the news of the death of his son whom he had not seen for more than 30 years may have been the proverbial last straw. Robert Leggett was buried at St Bartholomew's, Finningham.
Thanks to Betty Grocott of Queensland, Australia, for some of the above information.
Thanks also to professional genealogist,
Mr Sydney Smith, 59 Friar Rd., Orpington, Kent BR5 2BW
e-mail: ss.famhist@virgin.net
