Leighton in Colbert County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
William Leigh
Founder of Leighton
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, January 16, 2017
1. William Leigh Marker
Inscription.
William Leigh. Founder of Leighton. (side 1) , The town of Leighton was named in honor of the Reverend William Leigh, son and grandson of Revolutionary War veterans. He was born in Amelia County Virginia, Oct 4, 1790 and moved to Alabama about 1823. Leigh settled nearby at “Jeffers Cross Roads” and became a large landowner, pioneer merchant, postmaster, and La Grange College trustee. He was a charter member of Leighton Masonic Lodge No. 43 and served as Grand Master of the Alabama Masons (1833-1835). Leigh was a Missionary Baptist preacher for 63 years and served as pastor and leader in the Muscle Shoals Baptist Association. In 1836, he donated land and helped build a brick meeting house in Leighton for joint use by the Masons, Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Cumberland Presbyterians, and others.
(Continued on other side). (side 2)
(Continued from other side). William Leigh was the first postmaster of Leighton (1824-1847) and with William Gregg, operated a storehouse at the cross road under the firm name of William Leigh and Company. He ran unsuccessfully for the state legislature on the Whig ticket in 1840. In 1847, Leigh sold his store, 1800-acre plantation, livestock, and 30 slaves and moved to Kentucky. He soon returned to Alabama, living in Moulton a few years before moving to Florence where his wife served as a matron at the Florence Synodical College. Leigh died there in Florence, July 31, 1873, and was buried here in the Leigh family graveyard. The Masons erected a monument at his unmarked grave in 1931. The old brick church that he helped built a century earlier was razed about 1948.
(side 1)
The town of Leighton was named in honor of the Reverend William Leigh, son and grandson of Revolutionary War veterans. He was born in Amelia County Virginia, Oct 4, 1790 and moved to Alabama about 1823. Leigh settled nearby at “Jeffers Cross Roads” and became a large landowner, pioneer merchant, postmaster, and La Grange College trustee. He was a charter member of Leighton Masonic Lodge No. 43 and served as Grand Master of the Alabama Masons (1833-1835). Leigh was a Missionary Baptist preacher for 63 years and served as pastor and leader in the Muscle Shoals Baptist Association. In 1836, he donated land and helped build a brick meeting house in Leighton for joint use by the Masons, Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Cumberland Presbyterians, and others.
(Continued on other side)
(side 2)
(Continued from other side)
William Leigh was the first postmaster of Leighton (1824-1847) and with William Gregg, operated a storehouse at the cross road under the firm name of William Leigh & Company. He ran unsuccessfully for the state legislature on the Whig ticket in 1840. In 1847, Leigh sold his store, 1800-acre plantation, livestock, and 30 slaves and moved to Kentucky. He soon returned to Alabama, living in Moulton a few years before moving to Florence
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where his wife served as a matron at the Florence Synodical College. Leigh died there in Florence, July 31, 1873, and was buried here in the Leigh family graveyard. The Masons erected a monument at his unmarked grave in 1931. The old brick church that he helped built a century earlier was razed about 1948.
Erected 2009 by The Colbert County Historical Landmarks Foundation, Alabama Historical Association.
Location. 34° 42.003′ N, 87° 36.62′ W. Marker is in Leighton, Alabama, in Colbert County. Marker is on Old Hwy 20 east of Morgan Drive, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located in the Leigh family cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3036 Old Hwy 20, Tuscumbia AL 35674, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Oct 4, 1790
July 31, 1873
M. W. G. M.
of the Masonic Lodge of Ala.
1833-1834
Founder of Leighton Lodge No. 43
A.F. & A.M.
Also the Town of Leighton
Erected by the Masons of Ala.
1931 A.D.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2017. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2017, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 882 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on July 25, 2017, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.