Southgate in Campbell County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Major David Leitch Monument
Erected by his wife Keturah Moss
Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 19, 2025
1. Major David Leitch Monument, right side
(right side)
Sacred to the memory of Major David Leitch, who was born at Glasgow in Scotland, Sept. 11th A.D. 1753. At an early age he emigrated to America with an elder brother and settled at Richmond, Virginia. A brave and patriotic republican, while quite young he took part in the struggle for American independence as aide-de-camp to General Lawson. In the year 1885 he came to Kentucky, and settled near Lexington. Subsequently he removed to his estate on the Licking River near Newport called Leitchs Station and there he erected a block house to protect himself and his associates against the Indians at which place he died Nov. 7, A.D. 1784.
He was also a member of the First Convention of Kentucky.
(front)
In memory of Major David Leitch, who was universally beloved for his benevolence, generosity, and many virtues. This monument is erected by his devoted wife. May 1853.
(back)
In memory of Keturah Moss, 1773 1866. Married in 1790, Major David Leitch. Married in 1795, General James Taylor of Caroline Co. Virginia.
(left side)
In memory of Keturah Leitch Taylor, born Aug. 9, 1802, died Oct 20,
this page online
Erected 1853 by his devoted wife Keturah Moss Leitch Taylor.
Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1853.
Location. 39° 4.105′ N, 84° 28.138′ W. Marker is in Southgate, Kentucky, in Campbell County. It can be reached from the intersection of Alexandria Pike (U.S. 27) and the Evergreen Cemetery entrance, on the right when traveling north. It is in Section 6 in the Evergreen Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 25 Alexandria Pike, Newport KY 41071, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker and monument is in Kentucky’s Outer Bluegrass. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Ohio River Valley. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture
Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 19, 2025
2. Major David Leitch Monument, front and right sides
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Major David Leitch (a few steps from this marker); Brigadier General George Baird Hodge (a few steps from this marker); James Taylor Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); William Horsfall (within shouting distance of this marker); Brent Spence (within shouting distance of this marker); William H. Horsfall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); In Memory of the Civil War Veterans Buried in Soldiers Lot (about 300 feet away); Samuel Bigstaff (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southgate.
Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia entry for David Leitch.
In 1789, Leitch traveled to Fort Pitt (Pittsburgh) hoping to recruit settlers interested in exploring the Kentucky region. Upon acquiring a raft and supplies, Leitch found 20 hearty souls who agreed to accompany him. When the party arrived at Losantiville (Cincinnati), they encountered many hostile natives, so they traveled up the Licking River for about six miles. There, they dismantled the raft and built a blockhouse(Submitted on August 8, 2025.)with a high picket fence and established Leitch's Station. In December 1790, Leitch traveled to Bryan's Station, near Lexington, where he met and married Keturah Moss. Leitch was sent as a delegate to Kentucky's first Constitutional Convention, at Danville, Kentucky in 1784.Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 19, 20253. Major David Leitch Monument, front and right sides
2. Our Rich History: The story of one of NKYs wealthiest women, Keturah Moss Leitch Taylor. 2018 article by Steve Preston in the Northern Kentucky Tribune. Excerpt:
When Major David Leitch, founder of Leitchs Station in present-day Wilder, Kentucky, died in 1794, he left his estate to his young wife, Keturah Moss Leitch.(Submitted on August 8, 2025.)
She inherited all his earthly possessions, his wealth, as well as thousands of acres of land comprising todays Cold Spring, Highland Heights, Alexandria, a large part of Kenton County, and the area of Grants Lick. The executor of Leitchs estate was a young James Taylor, Jr.
As a 21-year-old widow, Keturah was one of the wealthiest persons in Northern Kentucky. ...
As the city of Newport grew, so did the fortune of James and Keturah Taylor. The Taylors continued to add money to their coiffuresthrough land deals, ferry operations, salt works, banking, tanneries, and other investments. Keturahs new husband was a cousin of James Madison and used his family connections to bring a United States Army installation to Newport in 1803, the Newport Barracks. At the time of her second husbands death in 1848, he would have assets of around four million dollars.Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 19, 20254. Major David Leitch Monument, right and back sides
Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 19, 2025
5. Major David Leitch Monument, left side
Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 19, 2025
6. Major David Leitch Historical Marker, Gravestone, and Monument
Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 19, 2025
7. Major David Leitchs Gravestone
Keturah Moss Leitch Taylor, 1773 1866
Keturah Leitch Taylor Harris, 1802 1871
James Taylor Abert, 1862 1865
Ineant Abert, Born 1864 Died
M. Taylor
(Public Domain) submitted to Find A Grave by Todd Whitesides in 2019
8. Keturah Moss Taylor (1773-1866)
Born in Goochland County, Virginia; died in Newport, Campbell County, Kentucky.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 92 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on August 8, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
