Jacob N. Liggett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jacob N. Liggett
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| Delegate to Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1868 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 2, 1829 Harrisonburg, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | May 8, 1912 Harrisonburg, Virginia, U.S. |
| Spouses | Evelyn Virginia Winfield (1830-1867) Isabelle Spence (1842-1915) |
| Alma mater | University of Virginia |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Branch/service | cavalry |
| Years of service | 1861-1865 |
| Rank | lieutenant |
| Unit | 7th Virginia Cavalry |
Jacob Nicholas Liggett (born January 2, 1829 – died May 8, 1912) was an important person from Virginia. He was a lawyer, a farmer, and a politician. He also served as an officer in the Confederate army during the American Civil War.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Jacob Liggett was born in Harrisonburg, Virginia, on January 2, 1829. His parents were Samuel and Romanzy Liggett. He was named after his grandfather.
Young Jacob went to private schools. He studied at Washington and Lee University and finished there around 1849 or 1850. After that, he went to the University of Virginia. He studied law and graduated in 1852.
Family Life and Marriages
Jacob Liggett married Evelyn Virginia Winfield. She was the daughter of Dr. Richard Winfield. They had four children together. Sadly, Evelyn passed away in 1867. Only one of their children, Virginia P. Liggett Schuler, lived to be an adult.
Later, in 1884, Jacob married Isabelle Spence. She was also a doctor's daughter. Isabelle lived longer than Jacob. Jacob was also a member of the Freemasons and the Sons of Temperance.
Career and Public Service
Jacob Liggett started his law practice in Harrisonburg by 1854. In 1860, he supported the Democratic Party in the presidential election. He was a presidential elector for Stephen A. Douglas.
At that time, Jacob was a farmer and a lawyer. Records show he owned land and other property.
Serving in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began, Jacob Liggett joined the army. On June 26, 1861, he became a private in Ashby's Cavalry. He even brought his own horse to serve.
Jacob was later promoted to lieutenant. His family kept a letter from his commander, Turner Ashby. The letter praised Jacob's bravery during the war.
Virginia Constitutional Convention
After the war, in 1867, voters in Rockingham County chose Jacob Liggett to represent them. He became a delegate to the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1868. This was a meeting to write a new constitution for Virginia.
The convention started in December 1867. Jacob Liggett spoke out about some issues. He pointed out that the chairman, John Curtiss Underwood, was using special mail privileges incorrectly.
Leaving the Convention
On March 7, 1868, Jacob Liggett was asked to leave the convention. This happened because he refused to vote on certain rules. He, and some other delegates, disagreed with two main ideas. One rule would stop former Confederates from holding public office. The other required a special loyalty oath.
Jacob Liggett and others felt these rules were unfair. Even though he was removed, the new Constitution was approved without these rules. This happened after President Ulysses S. Grant allowed Virginia voters to decide on them separately.
After the convention, Jacob Liggett continued his life in Harrisonburg. He even built a new house in 1868.
Later Life and Death
Jacob N. Liggett passed away in Harrisonburg, Virginia, on May 8, 1912. He was buried in the family plot at Woodbine Cemetery. His mother, his first wife, and some of his children are also buried there.
