A Collection in
the Library of Virginia
Accession Number 18762
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia 800 East Broad Street Richmond, Virginia 23219-8000 USA Phone: (804) 692-3888 (Archives Reference) Fax: (804) 692-3556 (Archives Reference) Email: archdesk@lva.virginia.gov(Archives) URL: http://www.lva.virginia.gov/
William Leigh was born in 1783 in Halifax County, Virginia,
to William Leigh (1748-1787) and Elizabeth Watkins Leigh (d.
1799). He graduated from the College of William and Mary in
1804 and was admitted to the bar in 1805. Leigh practiced law
and served as a judge for the Halifax County Court. He
represented Halifax, Charlotte, and Prince Edward Counties in
the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1829-1830. Under the
new constitution, Leigh was appointed a judge of the Virginia
General Court and the Circuit Superior Court of Law and
Chancery 1n 1831, holding the former position until the
General Court was abolished in 1851 and holding the latter
position until he retired. Leigh married Rebecca Selden
Watkins (1786-1852) 15 December 1807, and they had seven
children. Leigh died at "Leighwood" in Halifax County 19 July
1871, and was buried at St. John's Episcopal Church in Halifax
County.
Letters, 1825-1836, from William Leigh (1783-1871) of
Halifax County, Virginia, to Peachy Ridgway Gilmer (1779-1836)
of Albemarle County, Virginia, discussing Leigh's judgeship of
the Virginia General Court and the Circuit Superior Court of
Law and Chancery; politics; John Randolph (1773-1833); Leigh's
son Thomas; and Gilmer's sons George (1810-1875) and (Peachy)
Harmer (1813-1872); and personal news. Leigh writes Gilmer
about his election to the General Court; his serving as the
judge for the Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery
circuit which includes Halifax County, and about the various
courts he attends. Leigh informs Gilmer about John Randolph's
running for Congress in 1831, and later about Randolph's death
and the controversy surrounding Randolph's wills, including a
provision to emancipate his slaves. Leigh offers Gilmer a
private legal opinion regarding the will of James Breckenridge
(1763-1833) of Botetourt County, Virginia. Leigh laments the
current political scene, stating that he is an advocate of
states rights and secession. He fears for civil liberties and
criticizes President Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), politicians,
and political parties. Leigh regrets the expansion of suffrage
in Virginia, and informs Gilmer of the election of his brother
Benjamin Watkins Leigh (1781-1849) to the United States Senate
by the Virginia legislature. Leigh updates Gilmer on George
Gilmer's legal career in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, and
Harmer Gilmer's medical career in Halifax County. He asks
Gilmer to check on his son Thomas Leigh at the University of
Virginia, expressing concerns over his studies. Collection
also includes a letter, 17 August 1825, from Benjamin Watkins
Leigh of Richmond, Virginia, to Gilmer, then living in Bedford
County, Virginia, concerning efforts to prevent a call for a
state constitutional convention.
Letter,
17 August 1825, Benjamin Watkins
Leigh, Richmond, [Virginia], to Peachy R. Gilmer,
Bedford County, [Virginia], discussing measures to
oppose a state constitutional convention. Leigh comments
on the Staunton Convention, suffrage, the interests of
the slaveholding part of the state, and measures
undertaken by convention opponents.
5 p.,
AL. ,
signature removed.
Letter,
24 April 1831, William Leigh,
Halifax County, [Virginia], to Peachy R. Gilmer,
[Albemarle County, Virginia], concerning John Randolph's
election bid, Leigh's being appointed to the General
Court, Gilmer's son George, and personal
news.
3 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
22 July 1831, William Leigh to
Peachy R. Gilmer regretting that he will not be able to
visit Gilmer and George Tucker. Also comments on John
Randolph's horses as studs. Leigh states that Randolph
will not run for Congress because of his health and
comments on his possible successors, Thomas T. Bouldin
and George W. Crump.
3 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
18 November 1831, William Leigh to
Peachy R. Gilmer regarding John Randolph wanting to sell
his horses; Leigh's meeting with the lawyers of
Charlotte, Halifax, and Pittsylvania Counties; his
duties as a judge of the Circuit Superior Court of Law
and Chancery; and his concern that Shelton Cooper, a
Pittsylvania lawyer, may be leaving for
Missouri.
2 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
22 April 1832, William Leigh to
Peachy R. Gilmer concerning John Randolph's health;
politics; Leigh's belief in state rights and his fear of
a loss of civil liberty; George Tucker's work on a
biography of Thomas Jefferson and Leigh's opinion of
Jefferson; Leigh's plans to visit Gilmer.
2 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
25 November 1832, William Leigh to
Peachy R. Gilmer commenting on Gilmer's career and
reputation. He asks Gilmer to check on his son, Thomas
Leigh, at the University of Virginia and informs him
that his son, Benjamin Watkins Leigh, has married. Leigh
provides news about the Pittsylvania County court. Leigh
states he doesn't know if he will be able to visit in
the summer.
3 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
4 February 1833, William Leigh to
Peachy R. Gilmer thanking him for report on Thomas
Leigh. Leigh discusses Gilmer's support for Andrew
Jackson and Leigh's support for state rights,
nullification, and secession. Leigh expresses his
concern for the continuation of the Union. Leigh also
provides family and personal news, and comments on
George Tucker.
3 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
12 April 1833, William Leigh to
Peachy R. Gilmer, Botetourt County, [Virginia],
regarding his difficulties with [William B.] Banks who
has resigned as prosecutor of Halifax Superior Court.
Leigh comments on state politics, especially recent
elections. Leigh sends greetings to Gilmer's family and
to mutual friends.
2 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
23 April 1833, William Leigh to
Peachy R. Gilmer concerning illness in his family and in
Halifax County. Leigh has little information on mutual
friends in Pittsylvania County. He comments on George
Tucker and his biography of Thomas Jefferson. Leigh
regrets that his brother Benjamin Watkins Leigh is not a
successful agriculturalist. Leigh states he may travel
north in the summer.
2 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
25 June 1833, William Leigh to
Peachy R. Gilmer, Albemarle County, concerning the death
of John Randolph and his wills and estate. Leigh
complains about his work load from the now-defuct
chancery court which preceeded the current Circuit
Superior Court of Law and Chancery and thinks it may
prevent him from realizing his summer plans. Leigh looks
forward to a visit from Gilmer.
3 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
18 August 1833, William Leigh to
Peachy R. Gilmer berating Gilmer for his
self-deprecation. Leigh comments on John Randolph's
wills and Leigh's difficulties with Randolph's brothers
Henry St. George Tucker and Beverley Tucker. States that
he will try to get Gilmer's brother's letters to
Randolph. Leigh offers his legal opinion on the will of
James Breckenridge. Thanks Gilmer for his offer of help.
Mentions that he has been reconciled with Thomas T.
Bouldin. Leigh asks Gilmer to remember him to Gilmer's
family.
6 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
21 September 1833, William Leigh to
Peachy R. Gilmer commenting on Gilmer's health, John
Randolph's papers, and Leigh's travel schedule for court
dates.
2 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
30 September 1833, William Leigh to
Peachy R. Gilmer regarding John Randolph's estate and
Randolph's wills concerning the emancipation of his
slaves.
2 p.,
AL. ,
singnature missing.
Letter,
12 January 1834, William Leigh to
Peachy R. Gilmer describing Christmas in Halifax County
and thanking Gilmer for his comments on Leigh's son
Thomas. Leigh also remarks on John Randolph's estate and
Leigh's efforts to get Francis Walker Gilmer's letters
back for Gilmer. Leigh comments on the election of
governor in the Virginia General Assembly.
3 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
3 March 1834, William Leigh to
Peachy R. Gilmer offering condolences on the death of
Gilmer's brother John and of William Wirt. Leigh
comments on politics, especially on the election of his
brother Benjamin Watkins Leigh to the United States
Senate by the General Assembly and his own possible
candidacy for the Supreme Court of Appeals. He informs
Gilmer of the continuing controversy over John
Randolph's estate. He offers news of mutual friends in
Pittsylvania County and family news.
3 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
22 November 1834, William Leigh to
Peachy R. Gilmer asking after his health and his family.
Leigh plans to travel to Richmond to spend time with his
brother Benjamin Watkins Leigh before his brother leaves
for Washington. Leigh comments on John Randolph's estate
and worries if refusing to give up his interest in the
estate and not testifying in court, he might prevent
Randolph's slaves from receiving their
freedom.
3 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
16 January 1835, William Leigh to
Peachy R. Gilmer regarding Leigh's stay in Richmond for
the General Court. He comments on Gilmer's interest in
politics and his own lack of interest. Leigh criticizes
Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren. He discusses John
Randolph's estate and comments on George Tucker's
career. Leigh sends greetings to Gilmer's family and
notes his own is doing well.
3 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
9 June 1835, William Leigh to Peachy
R. Gilmer concerning Gilmer's son Peachy Harmer Gilmer
who is beginning a medical career in Halifax County.
Leigh informs Gilmer of a visit he received from Bishop
William Meade who asked Leigh to release his interest in
John Randolph's estate so that he might testify on
behalf of Randolph's slaves who were emancipated under
one of Randolph's wills.
3 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
25 February 1836, William Leigh to
Peachy R. Gilmer expressing concern over Gilmer's health
and commenting on getting old and losing friends. Leigh
bemoans the current state of politics which he blames on
the expansion of suffrage. He remarks on Gilmer's plans
to visit Halifax County later in year.
![[logo]](http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaead/logos/lva.jpg)