Eliza Seaman Leggett (May 9, 1815 – February 8, 1900) was an American suffragist and abolitionist.

Biography

Leggett was born on May 9, 1815 in New York City, at 90 (later 21) Beekman Street to parents Valentine Seaman and Anna Ferris. Her father died in 1817, and she (the youngest of ten children) was the last child still living in the family home. Following his death, she spent her summers with William Hicks, a wealthy merchant. She met Augustus Wright Leggett, and would marry him in 1836. They spent a short time in Peekskill, New York, before moving to Hempstead, New York, and in 1852, they moved to Michigan, spending time in Pontiac and Clintonville, before settling in Detroit. Their home served as a stop on the Underground Railroad, and was also visited by many

Progressives Progressivism holds that it is possible to improve human societies through political action. As a political movement, progressivism seeks to advance the human condition through social reform based on purported advancements in science, techno ...

, including

Amos Bronson Alcott Amos Bronson Alcott (; November 29, 1799 – March 4, 1888) was an American teacher, writer, philosopher, and reformer. As an educator, Alcott pioneered new ways of interacting with young students, focusing on a conversational style, and av ...

, Julia Ward Howe and

Sojourner Truth Sojourner Truth (; born Isabella Baumfree; November 26, 1883) was an American abolitionist of New York Dutch heritage and a women's rights activist. Truth was born into slavery in Swartekill, New York, but escaped with her infant daughter to f ...

. She was also involved in the suffrage movement. Leggett advocated for public water fountains in Detroit, becoming one of the major reasons that the city eventually created public drinking fountains, and was largely responsible for first public restrooms in stores in the city. She also heavily promoted Columbus Day. Leggett was the driving force behind the establishment of

Belle Isle Park Belle Isle Park, known simply as Belle Isle (), is a island park in Detroit, Michigan, developed in the late 19th century. It consists of Belle Isle, an island in the Detroit River, as well as several surrounding islets. The U.S.-Canada border ...

as a park. She was a founder of the Detroit Woman's Club. She knew and corresponded with many authors, including William Ellery Channing, Washington Irving, Theodore Parker,

, Charles A. Dana, William Cullen Bryant, Walt Whitman,

Louisa May Alcott Louisa May Alcott (; November 29, 1832March 6, 1888) was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet best known as the author of the novel ''Little Women'' (1868) and its sequels ''Little Men'' (1871) and ''Jo's Boys'' (1886). Raised in ...

, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Lucretia Mott. Leggett also worked with Helen Eliza Benson Lloyd Garrison, Lyman Beecher,

Laura Smith Haviland Laura Smith Haviland (December 20, 1808 – April 20, 1898) was an American abolitionist, suffragette, and social reformer. She was a Quaker and an important figure in the history of the Underground Railroad. Early years and family Laura Smit ...

, and Elizabeth Comstock. Leggett died on February 8, 1900 in Drayton Plains, Michigan. She was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame in 2003. She also has a Waterford Elementary school named after her, in her honor. However this school has since then closed. But is home to a branch of the Waterford senior center.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Leggett, Eliza Seaman 1815 births 1900 deaths American suffragists American abolitionists Activists from New York City Activists from Detroit Women civil rights activists