David Leggett BROWN

     David Leggett BROWN, son of Jesse Anderson BROWN and Obedience LEGGETT, was born on 8 October 1802 in Marlboro County, South Carolina. He was a farmer.

David married Elizabeth HALLMARK on 12 April 1819 in Cahawba (now Bibb) County, Alabama Territory. She was the daughter of Thomas Hallmark and Susannah Mynatt.¹

David Leggett BROWN appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1830 in Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as one male age 20-29 [David]; one male age 15-19 [???]; one male age 10-14 [Asa]; one female age 20-29 [Elizabeth]; three females age 5-9 [Martha, Harriett, Susan]; and two females under five [Mary, Charlotte]. They owned no slaves.²

David Leggett BROWN witnessed the probate of the estate of Jesse Anderson BROWN in April 1834 in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama. David L. Brown, the administrator of the estate presented his account of the proceeds of the estate sale totaling $112.87. The money was divided as follows: To Charles Elliot for medical services $4.75, to David R. Boyd for medical services $11.62, to Elisha Wilson for medical services $28.25, to the officers of the county for their services $15.56, to Lewis Kennedy as counsel for administrator $10 and said administrator be allowed to retain for his services $16, leaving in the hands of said administrator $26.69 to be distributed among sundry creditors in proportion of their claims. The administrator was ordered to pay the following claims: to Jesse Brown, Jr. $15.04, to David L. Brown .80 cents, to David Ward .83 cents, to George Leith .32 cents, to B. Griffin $1.33, to C. C. Bailey $6.78, to Mathis C. White .28 cents, to Absolum Pratt $1.18, and to Evan Foshee .30 cents.³

David filed a lawsuit 26 October 1835 against his brother, Asa Anderson BROWN, claiming that he had not performed his duties as administrator of the estate of their father, Jesse A. Brown, deceased. Asa claimed that David had not given proper account of estate transactions to the Orphans Court. Both agreed that the suit be dismissed and each pay his own costs.⁴ He witnessed the marriage of Asa A. BROWN and Mary HARPOLE on 24 December 1837 in Bibb County, Alabama.⁵

David Leggett BROWN officiated at the marriage of his nephew, Asa Madison BROWN, and Emily Catherine Rottenberry on 6 October 1838 in Bibb County, Alabama. He was justice of the peace.⁵

David Leggett BROWN witnessed the sale of land from Asa Anderson BROWN to Abisha CAMP on 21 December 1838 in Bibb County, Alabama. The deed reads that "Asa A. Brown and Jerusha Brown his wife" sold Abisha Camp 80 acres of land being the west half of the southwest quarter of section 9, township 23, range 10 east for $260. This was in the area of Enon Baptist Church. The deed was signed by Asa and Jerusha Brown, she by means of her mark.⁶

David Leggett BROWN appeared on the 1840 Federal Census of Bibb County, Alabama, one male 30-39 [David]; one male 10-14 [???]; one male 5-9 [David B.]; one male under 5 [Jesse]; one female 40-49 [Elizabeth]; one female 15-19 [Susan]; two females 10-14 [Charlotte, Mary]; one female 5-9 [???]; and one female under 5 [Obedience].⁷

David Leggett BROWN was church clerk for Enon Baptist Church beginning on 18 January 1844. Most of the Brown family in Bibb County attended this church.

David was found in an 1848 Tax List for Bibb County, District two. His land and improvements in section 9 and 10, township 23, range 10 east, was valued at $1,000. He was taxed for one poll.⁸

David Leggett BROWN and Elizabeth HALLMARK appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 10 December 1850 in east side of Cahaba River, Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as David L. Brown, a 48 year old farmer, born South Carolina; wife Elizabeth Brown, age 50, born Tennessee; David B. Brown, a farmer, age 19; Obedience Brown, 13; Jesse Brown, 12; William Brown, 10; Amanda Brown, 7; Martha Kemp [Camp], 28; Lafayette W. Kemp [Camp], 8; Sabrina Kemp [Camp], 6; and Wm. Little Page, 18 year old farm laborer. David, Jesse, William, Amanda and Lafayette all attended school during the year. Elizabeth was not able to read or write. All but she and David were born in Alabama.

David Leggett BROWN and Elizabeth HALLMARK appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 28 July 1860 in Randolph, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as David L. Brown, age 58, farmer, born South Carolina; Elizabeth Brown, age 60, domestic, born Tennessee; Caroline B. [Obedience?], age 23, domestic, born Alabama; Jesse M., age 21, farmer, born Alabama; Amanda, age 15, in school, born Alabama; David M., age 14, in school, born Alabama; and William L., age 1, born Alabama. His real estate was valued at $1,000 and his personal property at $800. David M. may have been grandson, David L. Cochran, son of Susan Brown.⁹

David Leggett BROWN and Elizabeth HALLMARK appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1866 in Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as One male 60-70 [David] and one female 60-70 [Elizabeth]. They lived in township 24, range 9 east.¹⁰

David Leggett BROWN and Elizabeth HALLMARK appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1870 in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as David Brown, age 68, farmer, born South Carolina; Elizabeth, age 70, born Tennessee; William, age 28, farm hand, born Alabama; Frank [son of William H.], age 9, born Alabama; Catherine Finley [Obedience Catherine?], age 32, born Alabama; and William Finley, age 11, born Alabama. Living to one side of them were the households of Holly M. Brown, Jesse M. Brown, and to the other side was David B. Brown.¹¹

David Leggett BROWN and Elizabeth HALLMARK appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 26 June 1880 in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as David Brown, age 78, farmer, he and parents born Tennessee; and Elizabeth Brown, age 50 [80?], she and parents born Alabama. Living two houses away was their son, David B. Brown.¹²

David Leggett BROWN died on 3 May 1886 in Bibb County, Alabama, at age 83. He was buried in Brown Family Cemetery, Bibb County, Alabama.