LEIGHTON, George (1812-1902) and (first wife) Rocksilda (c. 1812-1867) and (second wife) Emily (1822-after 1900)

A farmer and stonemason from Otsego, Michigan, George Leighton became a Sabbatarian Adventist with his wife, Rocksilda, about 1856 or 1858 (sources disagree). They were charter members of the Otsego church, in which George served as elder until his death. George Leighton assisted in the construction of the Review and Herald, college, and sanitarium buildings in Battle Creek.1EGWLM 861.3

Ellen White makes only incidental mention of Leighton. In 1859 she stayed with the Leighton family in Otsego over a weekend, and in 1861 Leighton came to Battle Creek to get the Whites’ “cellar fixed.”1EGWLM 861.4

See: Obituary: “George Leighton,” Review, Dec. 30, 1902, p. 23; obituary: “Rocksilda Leighton,” Review, Sept. 24, 1867, p. 238; Henry F. Thomas, A Twentieth Century History of Allegan County, Michigan (New York: Lewis Pub. Co., 1907), p. 594; 1900 U.S. Federal Census, “George Leighton,” Michigan, Allegan County, Otsego, p. 33; Ellen G. White, Ms 5, 1859 (entries for Jan. 7, 8); Lt 6, 1861 (June 17).1EGWLM 861.5