Major Andrew Leitch, 1st Virginia Regiment

ANDREW LEITCH

Andrew Leitch, here treated, is the son of David Leitch and Jean Bryson. He was born before 20 December 1747, the date upon which his baptism was registered at Glasgow in Lanarkshire Scotland. [National Records of Scotland, Glasgow Baptisms, 1739-50, reference OPR,644/1/12]

MAJOR ANDREW LEITCH

Chancery Court Abstracts: Frederick County, Maryland

George BUCHANAN and Andrew BUCHANAN of Glasgow, Scotland, in the Kingdom of Great Britain, merchants, held mortgage for Andrew LEITCH of Dumfries in the Colony of Virginia, merchant (now deceased), for 531 pounds, 18 shillings and 8 pence Sterling money of Great Britain in 1775 (Prince George's County).

Land - "Walnut Levell", 52 acres; - "Town Creek", 52 acres; - "Hard Bargain", 48 acres; - "Peru", 87 acres; all lying in Frederick County. Also, in Prince George's County - - "Miller's Beginning", 245 acres. Said lands were held by Andrew LEITCH and Francis DEAKINS as Tenants in Common. In addition, Andrew had part of tract "Conclusion", in Frederick County, conveyed to him by Daniel STEPHENSON, William DEAKINS (Sr. or Jr. - part of paper is missing), and James MILLER. Francis DEAKINS also had Andrew's part of tract "Deakin's Hall", 213 acres, lying in Prince George's County; and two lotts in the Town of Carrollsburgh also in Prince George's County: Lots 137 and 138.

Major Andrew LEITCH d/ (date is blank), leaving 2 children - James LEITCH, a minor - Sarah LEITCH, a minor (by May 1793, she was w/o John ADDISON)

By Act of Assembly passed in Annapolis on 25 April 1782, property to be sold for benefit of the said children; trustees appointed for Andrew LEITCH's estate were Richard HENDERSON, William LYDEBOTHAM and George LEE of Prince George's County. Sale made to Moses RAWLINGS and Joseph HUGHES in Jul 1788.

In May 1793, testimony of George LEE of Charles County indicated, during the War with Britain, Andrew LEITCH entered the service for his country and was slain in it's defence. Since the War, all British property was to be confiscated and this property as well and is now vested to the State of Maryland. However, the Act of Assembly of 1782 discharged and released the indenture of mortgage.

Letter to George Washington from Sarah Leitch

25 January 1791. From Sarah Leitch [25 January 1791] To the Honorable the President and Congress of the United States of America. Sarah Leitch, and James Frisby Leitch Infants and Children of Major Andrew Leitch by this their humble petition beg leave to Shew That their said father being a Merchant and possessing but a small Capital was in a great degree dependent on his personal exertions for the support of himself and his family, but actuated by Zeal in the cause of this Country entered into the Army of these States, and in the year 1776 Sacrificed his Life in executing the orders of his General—Your Petitioners on this Subject can only relate the information they have received from others, but, for the truth of these facts they are told, they may appeal with confidence to the knowledge of the Commander in Chief. Your Petitioners further shew that the additional Misfortune of losing their Mother soon afterwards left them altogether dependent upon the bounty of friends, and while they contemplate these Melancholy Events they cannot but hope they shall receive from the Humanity and generosity of this Government the same compassion that they are informed others have experienced in similar circumstances—They humbly intreat therefore that the half pay of the Commission possessed by their said Father, may be extended to your Petitioners commencing from the date of his Death, or for such other provision as you may think most proper. Sarah Leitch on behalf of herself, and her Infant brother James Frisby Leitch.

Biographical Information

                                                         MAJOR ANDREW LEITCH,[8],[9]

"He Stood the Field with Great Bravery"

Andrews brother John Leitch,Esq. is the Merchant and husband of “Aunt Leitch” (Elizabeth Ironside) mentioned in the very old diary, and the subject of a later book, “Memoirs of a Highland Lady”[11], by Elizabeth Grant of Rothiemurchus ( the well known 18th century diarist)

Picture: Kilmardinny House, Kilmardinny Avenue, Bearsden, G61 3NN. The house still stands today, donated as an institute for the blind by his brother John Leitch, Esq. who suffered loss of sight at the end of his life, later used as an Art Centre, and has recently been modified to include a wedding venue.

Forgotten Patriots:

Major Andrew Leitch: this father of four was an active patriot and member of the Virginia’s Prince William County Committee. He readily accepted the temporary helm of the First Virginia regulars as it faced the enemy for the first time. He did so when his friend and the first chosen leader of the Virginian forces, the well known and celebrated statesman Patrick Henry – he who had stood before his fellow patriots and claimed ‘give me liberty or give me death’ – resigned from the army because he was passed over as general and was only offered a colonel’s commission of the first Virginia regiment.

In his stead, Major Leitch marched into battle at the head of that astute southern body and paid the ultimate sacrifice along the slopes of Harlem ridge New York, in the same battle that claimed Colonel Knowlton.

Major Leitch lived initially in Prince William Co., VA after moving to Virginia from Scotland, as a merchant.

[1] Memoirs of a Highland Lady,(Canongate Classic), by Elizabeth Grant, ISBN 13: 9780862411473

[67] Havin’ fallen in a late skirmish on Montresor’s Island, while bravely leading a party on, his remains will be interred this afternoon at five o’clock, from the quarters of Major David Henley, Archives, pg. 502.
[68] Johnston, footnote #205. [70] Johnston, footnote #205.

[71] Lossing, pg. 885 – death of Knowlton.

[72] Johnston, footnote #205.

From "William Henry Hill handwritten manuscript, Page 39 130 Marion Bryson 131 James Hamilton 132 Claud H 133 Grizell H 134 Gabriel H Dundas 135 John H D 136 Jean Bryson.jpg"

[WHH-REF:136] Jean Bryson, a daughter of John Bryson [WHH-REF:128] married about [blank] Andrew? or David Leitch (see W. Fraser's letter to E. Hamilton) by whom she had issue viz

• Andrew Leitch [WHH-REF:137]

From "William Henry Hill handwritten manuscript, Page 40 136 Jean Bryson 137 Andrew Leitch 138 James Frisby Leitch 139 Margaret Leitch 140 Margaret Murdoch 141 George Murdoch Yuille.jpg"

[WHH-REF:137] Andrew Leitch, the eldest son of [WHH-REF:136], born about 1748, married [blank] by whom he had issue: James Frisby Leitch [WHH-REF:138]

From Scotland's People: Old Parish Registers - Births and Baptisms NOTE Missing Mary Leitch born about 1780

• 20 December 1747 birth or baptism of Andrew Leitch, son of David Leitch and Jean Bryson [child 1], in the parish of Glasgow

From MyHeritage: Andrew Leitch: Scotland, Births and Baptisms, (transcription only)

• name: Andrew Leitch
• gender: Male
• born: Sunday, 6 December 1747
• christening: Sunday, 20 December 1747, Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland
• father: David Leitch
• mother: Jean Bryson
• indexing project (batch) number: C11944-8
• system origin: Scotland-ODM
• gs film number: 0102911, 0990751, 1042934

From Letter to George Washington from Sarah Leitch, 25 January 1791

To George Washington from Sarah Leitch, 25 January 1791

To the Honorable the President and Congress of the United States of America

Sarah Leitch, and James Frisby Leitch Infants and Children of Major Andrew Leitch by this their humble petition beg leave to Show: That their said father being a Merchant and possessing but a small Capital was in a great degree dependent on his personal exertions for the support of himself and his family, but actuated by Zeal in the cause of this Country entered into the Army of these States, and in the year 1776 Sacrificed his Life in executing the orders of his General — Your Petitioners on this Subject can only relate the information they have received from others, but, for the truth of these facts they are told, they may appeal with confidence to the knowledge of the Commander in Chief.

Your Petitioners further show that the additional Misfortune of losing their Mother soon afterwards left them altogether dependent upon the bounty of friends, and while they contemplate these Melancholy Events they cannot but hope they shall receive from the Humanity and generosity of this Government the same compassion that they are informed others have experienced in similar circumstances—They humbly entreat therefore that the half pay of the Commission possessed by their said Father, may be extended to your Petitioners commencing from the date of his Death, or for such other provision as you may think most proper.

Sarah Leitch, on behalf of herself, and her Infant brother, James Frisby Leitch

[Notes] Sarah Leitch and her brother James Frisby Leitch were the children of Andrew Leitch (circa 1750 – 1776), a Dumfries, Virginia, merchant who served on the Prince William County committee of correspondence before the Revolution. George Washington stayed with him at his home in Dumfries in March 1775, and Leitch visited George Washington at Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mt Vernon, Virginia VA 22121, United States 38.7080, -77.0861 in April 1775 (Diaries, 3:313, 322). He was commissioned a captain in the 3rd Virginia Regiment in February 1776 and apparently was promoted to major in August 1776 (Scribner and Tarter, Revolutionary Virginia, 6:214). He died on 1 or 2 October 1776 of wounds received at the Battle of Harlem Heights, Morningside Heights, Manhattan, New York, United States Monday, 16 September 1776 40.81194, -73.96361 (see General Orders, 17 September 1776).

Sarah Leitch’s petition was laid before Congress on 25 January 1791 and was referred to the secretary of war for report. Knox reported on 15 February 1791 in favor of granting the request. The House of Representatives resolved to grant the petition on 26 February 1791 (DHFC, 3:715, 744). It is not clear whether this resolution was carried out. On 30 June 1834 Congress resolved to pay “to the legal representatives of the late Margaret Leitch, widow of the late Major Andrew Leitch, a major in the army of the revolution . . . the seven years’ half pay” to which “widows and children were entitled by the resolution of Congress of 24 August 1780” (6 Stat., 590).

From “He Stood the Field with Great Bravery” The Story of Major Andrew Leitch, Part 1 by Rob Orrison

From “He Stood the Field with Great Bravery” The Story of Major Andrew Leitch, Part 2 by Rob Orrison