Lecia BROWN

     Lecia BROWN, daughter of Jesse Anderson BROWN and Obedience LEGGETT, was born on 3 February 1793 in Marlboro County, South Carolina.¹ Lecia BROWN also went by the name of Lucy or Leecy Ann.

Lecia BROWN appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1800, in the household of Jesse Anderson BROWN in Marlboro County, South Carolina.²

Lecia married Mordecai LEWIS on 14 February 1809 in Stewart County, Tennessee.³

Lecia BROWN and Mordecai LEWIS were divorced on 26 October 1826 in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama. According to court records they were married on 14 Feb 1809 in Tennessee. They lived together happily until they moved to Bibb County. They had six infant children, the oldest being a girl of 9 in 1823. Mordeci neglected to provide for his family and beat and abused Lucy. He left in July 1823 and she had not heard from him since. She was granted status of femme sole subject to sanction of general assembly of state by Judge R. Stafford on 1 May 1828.⁴

An unknown person married second an unknown person on 28 May 1829 in Bibb County, Alabama. Benjamin Beaird, Justice of the Peace officiated the ceremony. The marriage bond was taken out on 25 May 1829 by Joshua Wood and Edward Henry.^5,6

Lecia BROWN appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1840 in Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as 1 male age 5-10 [Pleasant Green Wood]; 1 male 10-15 [Mardis L. Wood]; and 2 males 20-30 [Stephen M. Lewis, Wm. L. Lewis]; and 1 female age 40-50 [Lucy]. They had no slaves.⁷

Lecia moved from Centreville to Cahaba, Dallas County, Alabama, circa 1841 following the death of her husband.⁸

Lecia appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 6 November 1850 in Cahawba Beat, Dallas County, Alabama, the household was listed as Leecy Woods, 58, value of real estate $700, born South Carolina; M. L. Woods, 20, Civil Engineer; P. J. Woods, 18, Student. They had one slave.⁹

Lecia BROWN was granted military bounty land 6 August 1852 in Perry County, Alabama. The grant read, "Whereas, in persuance of the Act of Congress, approved September 28th, 1850, entitled 'An Act granting Bounty Land to certain Officers and Soldiers who have been engagedin the Military Service of the United States,' 40 acres issued in favor of Leecy Wood, widow of Mordecai Lewis, deceased, corporal in Captain Haggard's Company, Tennessee Militia, War of 1812." It contained the north west quarter of the north east quarter of section fourteen, in township 21, of range 10, subject to sale at the Cahaba Land Office, including 39.75 acres. The land was assigned to Patrick McDermod.¹⁰

From the February 9th Dallas Gazette: Died, in this place, at the residence of Mrs. Leecy Wood, on Friday morning, 2nd instant, Miss Martha Emily Wilson, age about 21 years...¹¹

Lecia BROWN appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 31 July 1860 in Cahaba, Dallas County, Alabama. The household was listed as Lucy Wood, age 67, $2,000 personal property, $2500 real estate, born South Carolina. She was living alone, but her son P. G. Wood lived next door.¹²

Lecia BROWN died before 1870 in Cahaba, Dallas County, Alabama.