James Leonard, of Taunton

http://bradsport.com/aJamesLeonard1620/

James Leonard’s father was Thomas Leonard, a fyner who traveled about the west of England working at various ironworks. His grandfather was Henry Leonard, about whom almost nothing is known. James was not a descendant of Sampson Lennard, Lord Dacre. More about the deeper ancestry of the Leonards is to be found at Origins of the MA Leonards. James settled inTaunton, MA, after initially working at the Massachusetts Bay Colony’s ironworks in Lynn/Saugus and Braintree.

James’ descendants test in Haplogroup J2, also known as J-L70.

His descendants here number about 7,000+ through 10 generations. Some in the 11th generation and later generations are still alive and are not listed for that reason.

The main source for this descendancy is the unpublished typescript and charts compiled by Elisha Clark Leonard 1819-1894 and his grandson, George Marston Leonard 1880-1959. I’ve checked their information against other sources, such as NEHGS and VR’s, and added to their information from personal contacts, census data, and ancestry.com. Corrections and additions welcome!

Possible sources of confusion include the descendants of Solomon Leonard 1610-1671 who lived in Bridgewater, MA, neighboring Taunton, Raynham, Norton, and Middleborough where the Iron Leonards resided. Also, the descendants of William Leonard ca.1685-aft.1750 and Sarah Bolton inhabited Bridgewater and neighboring towns in the 1700’s.

[https://minerdescent.com/2011/11/14/richard-martin-sr/]

James’ parents were Thomas Leonard, 1577-1638, and Lydia White. He emigrated from Pontipool, Monmouthshire, Wales, with his brothers Henry, and Philip. These immigrants were the founders of the first successful iron-works in America.

“It is said that the Leonards had been in the iron industry for twelve hundred years, since the days of the “forestsmiths” of Germany, where the name Leonard is found in old German records of the sixth century. The Saxon Leonards, workmen in metals, came to England very early and settled among the iron hills of Kent and Sussex. Later, as the mines in this vicinity were less productive, some of them removed to the iron mining districts of Wales from whence James and Henry Leonard came, leaving their forges in England “plastered with mortgages,” not only at Pontipool but also at Belaton, Stafford County. In the nineteenth century the Leonards might have redeemed their title to this property, but it would have involved an expensive and lengthy suit in the Court of Chancery, which was not undertaken.

“Being well versed in the iron lore, the secrets of which had been long handed down from father to son, James and Henry Leonard, on their arrival in America, at first found employment with one John Winthrop at his bloomery near Lynn, established by Adam Hawkes in 1630. The following entry has been found in an old account book of Winthrop’s dated 1651. “James Leonard, fifteen days’ worke in ye forge oe 1.13.0.”

“After a short connection with John Winthrop’s iron effort at Braintres, the Leonard Brothers struck out for themselves, testing the streams and ponds for chalybeate evidence, little Thomas and James who had come holding onto “Uncle Henry’s finger,” probably having the time of their lives fishing with birch rods on these expeditions. Their elders found large deposits of bog iron, particularly in Quittacus Lake, Middleboro, which were extracted by means of great tongs from the lakes and swamps. They made a contract with the town of Taunton to set up a bloomery there. A stock company was formed, one of the stock holders being Elizabeth Pole, who had bought Taunton from the Indians for a peck of beans.

“The Leonards called their bloomery Raynham forge, doubtless from Raynham in England, which is the station where one alights to visit Belhus mansion at Aveley Easex, the head quarters of the English Leonards where the beautiful portraits are of our English ancestors. The owner, Sir Thomas Barrett Leonard, is a landed proprietor of at least 10,000 acres of land inherited from the early Leonards. It may be that James and Henry Leonard lived here in their boyhoods and had childhood’s associations with Raynham, for which they named their forge. The site of this old forge which was carried on by seven generations of Leonards, was pointed out to me by my father, when as a child I rode with him through Raynham to Taunton.

“This was the parent forge for many others not only in this vicinity but all over the Atlantic seaboard of the United States, substantiating the famous saying “Wherever you find iron works you will find a Leonard.” The proudest accomplishment of these various forges was in 1775, when Eliphalet Leonard of the fifth generation made in Easton the first bar of American steel.

“James Leonard was a warm friend of the good Indian chief Massasoit who used frequently to visit him, sleeping under his roof and eating his bread. James gave him every assistance in the repair of his guns and making his weapons and tools. Massasoit, before his death, required a solemn oath of his son Philip that he would never harm a Leonard, and Philip in 1675 in an imposing meeting in Taunton Church at which James Leonard was present, affixed his mark to a document promising peace with the men of Taunton. Philip’s tribe molested the white settlers in Middleboro and New Bedford, but the inhabitants of Taunton and Bridgewater suffered little in King Philip’s war, and no harm was done to the Leonards with Philip’s consent. Thus the name of Leonard represents to Taunton not only splendid enterprise, but the hospitality and friendliness which secured safety for the town at a critical period. King Philip had a summer home near the Leonards, and Lake Nipenicket between Raynham and Bridgewater was a favorite fishing ground of his. There is a tradition that Philip’s head was secreted after his death under the old Leonard house in Raynham.

“James Leonard, the immigrant, died in 1691. His wife, Mary Martin, had died earlier and he had married a second wife named Margaret.

----------------------------

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=25564368

James LEONARD and Margaret FORD were married before 1662 in Taunton, Bristol, MA.3 Margaret FORD (daughter of William FORD and ANNA) was born about 1632. She died before 9 Apr 1701 in Taunton, Bristol Co., MA. Was her last name Ford? Will of Margaret Leonard of Taunton, widow,about the 68th year of her age, dtd. November 12, 1700, prob. April 9,1701. Mentions son-in-law Uriah Leonard's wife Elizabeth and his daughter Margaret. Daughter-in-law Hannah Deane and her daughter Abigail Terry,son-in-law James Leonard's daughters Abigail and Prudence Lewis.Son-in-law Thomas Leonard's daughters Elizabeth and Johanah. Cousin Eleazer Carver to be exec. (She was probably step-mother, notmother-in-law). (2:30). Problem: Thomas Leonard didn't have a daughter named Johanah.

ONLY Known Friend/Documented Of the Great Sachem (Chief) Massisoit of the Wampanoag People was James Leonard Sr. Frequently Entertained Massasoit and King Philip&Families ,Hunted Together, etc. Who journeyed from Mt. Hope to the hunting grounds at Fowling Pond. FowlingPond is in Raynham, was one mile north of the Ancient Iron Works on present-day King Philip's Street near the end of Mill Street. FowlingPond was said to be two miles long and three-quarters of a mile wide inKing Philip's time, but today has disappeared. James repaired their guns and conferred favors that led to a lasting friendship. King Philip conveyed to James Leonard about two hundred and fifty acres at Mattapoisett Neck in Swansea in October 1665, but the deed was lost bythe Plymouth Court. Tradition says that out the outbreak of KIngPhilip's War in 1675, Philip gave strict orders that his men were never to harm a Leonard (although young Uriah Leonard was almost shot by KingPhilip's men early in the war, a bullet having passed through his hat as he rode his horse to escape an attack). It is conjectured that because of the Leonards Taunton was not attacked during the war. (Philip'sorders were actually not to disturb certain families including those of James Leonard, John Brown, and Capt. Thomas Willett, all of Taunton --Hurd, p. 346).

One peculiarity to check out: although several Leonards were officers inthe militia of the time, there's little mention of Leonards fighting inPhilip's War. Bodge in Soldiers of King Philip's War mentions Jacob asserving under Capt. Woodworth, Thomas credited under Capt. Thomas BrattleOctober 19, 1675, and Thomas at Lynn, August 24, 1676. More researchneeds to be done on the activities of the Leonards during Philip's War.

One of the garrison houses used during King Philip's War was the SamuelLeonard house erected in 1653 by James Leonard at the site of Taunton'sAncient Iron Works Company now in Raynham. A memorial plaque marking thespot is located seven-tenths of a mile east from Route 44 along the southside of Route 104. One of the garrison houses used during King Philip's War was the SamuelLeonard house erected in 1653 by James Leonard at the site of Taunton'sAncient Iron Works Company now in Raynham. A memorial plaque marking thespot is located seven-tenths of a mile east from Route 44 along the southside of Route 104. James came to America in 1643. Erected first forge furnace in Plymouth Colony (Taunton, MA) Photo added by Gr. Grandson- Elwin C. Nickerson- /ECN/ James Leonard frequently entertained Massasoit and King Philip, who journeyed from Mt. Hope to the hunting grounds at Fowling Pond. Fowling Pond is in Raynham, was one mile north of the Ancient Iron Works on present-day King Philip's Street near the end of Mill Street. Fowling Pond was said to be two miles long and three-quarters of a mile wide in King Philip's time, but today has disappeared. James repaired their gunsand conferred favors that led to a lasting friendship.

There is uncertainty as to when and how James Leonard first came to America.

The Land Patent Books of Virginia, Book 1, page 23, shows Robert Bennett granted 700 acres...for transportation of 14 persons, including James Leonard, June 26, 1635. One theory is that James came first to Virginia,then to Maryland, then to Providence, then to Lynn.

• Source: The Leonard Dictionary, Volume III (manuscript). Duplicate record August 18, 1637.
• Another source is Charles Edward Banks' "Topographical Dictionary of 2885 English Emigrants to New England 1620-1650," Baltimore, Genealogical Publishing Co., 1963, 3rd edition, p. 148, citing Various References: NEGR 5/104.

Apparently, employees and recruits of John Winthrop were sometimes not listed as passengers, since they were not paying passengers on those particular vessels crossing the Atlantic.

He arrived before 1650 from Pontypool, Wales, although some sources say he first came to Providence, RI, in 1645. He was paid for bringing his goods from Providence by the Lynn/Saugus Ironworks in 1651.

On January10, 1645/6 in Providence, 25 acres of land were granted to a number of inhabitants, including James Leonard, but his name had been crossed out. He was the Ironmaster of Taunton, having first participated development of the iron works at Braintree and Saugus.

But there appear to have been Leonards in the Pontypool area since the early 1600's. A Thomas Leonard mentioned in deed of July 29, 1633, bordering lands of John Powell, John Gerbon, and Phillip Morgan in Trevethin (Parish near Pontypool, with a bridge near swamp and pool there in 1490 -- pool later became forge pond). An ironworks was in operation before 1634, and there's a record of a complaint against John Wylde forfailure to collect monies from it, instead selling iron at a discount to his friends. Thomas Morgan was recorded as selling charcoal to it in1640.

The works were apparently owned by the Hanburys, probably Richard. August 1618.

• Thomas, son of Jacob Leonard, was baptized January 9,1699;
• William, son of Jacob Leonard, was baptized July 23, 1696;
• Gwenllian, wife of Thomas Leonard, buried March 15, 1656;
• Mary Leonard married Alexander Lewis January 26, 1656;
• a son of Philip Leonard was born October 27, 1656.
• Sarah, daughter of James Leonard, baptized September 1, 1705;
• Ann, daughter of James Leonard, baptized March 13, 1702.

Local records include a mention of a Thomas Leonard in 1790, a John and Mary Leonard who died at age 84 in 1774.

These indicate there were Leonards and ironmaking in the Pontypool area after James and Thomas left. These Leonards had names identical to or similar to those who emigrated to America. There was even a Theophilus Leonard, iron refiner,who died March 31, 1900 in nearby Pontnewydd, Wales, perhaps just a coincidence.

• (Source: old documents at the Monmouthshire County records office near Pontypool, October 2003. A researcher with more time could probably find some interesting material here.)

Elisha Clark Leonard paid 5 pounds to a clergyman in Pontypool to check the records for James and Henry, but he reportedly found nothing. GML reported that later researchers found nothing about them either. So the theory is that James and Henry were not in Pontypool very long.

Probably James and his young family (and his older brother Henry) were also ironworkers in the Bilston, Staffordshire (Cheshire?), area prior to their immigration. Bilston became a center of the "Black Country" iron industry. George Marston Leonard includes a note on one of his tables that "James, son of Thomas, son of Henry of Billston, Staffordshire..."from McKenzie, Colonial Families, Vol. IV. Apparently, the Leonards left a claim to the ownership of some heavily mortgaged ironworks there, moving on as the mining districts became less productive.

Years later (1821?) an ironworker in Bilston by the name of James Leonard sent a letter to James Leonard, ironworker in or near Taunton, MA stating that the extensive iron works there in Bilston belonged to the Leonards. The Leonards in Taunton decided not to undertake the expense of an extended suit to regain the works. The Leonards may also have been involved in some of the ironworks in Somersetshire, England, and Pontypool, Monmouthshire, Wales, as well.

James Leonard was but a short time at the Saugus Ironworks and at Braintree for a longer time. At sale of the Braintree works, he became a partner. With the invitation from Taunton, he moved there, erected a forge and furnace, and continued as master workman, a position he held for the rest of his life.

ECL believes Oliver Purchase was the one who induced Henry and James along with Ralph Russell to come to Taunton. He conveyed the two hearths at Taunton to his sons, Thomas and James, and they in turn conveyed them to their sons. He purchased a lot on Mill River and erected a one-hearth forge, which he called Whittinton Forge. His son Joseph was the masterworkman at Whittinton Forge. His two other sons, Benjamin and Uriah, were also trained as "bloomers."

About 1682 James Leonard built a house for himself a short distance from the Taunton (Raynham) Ironworks on the north side of the road. It was a gambled roofhouse two stories in front and running back to one story in the rear. When he died in 1691, he left an estate valued at 500 pounds, a very respectable sum in those days (from Elisha Clark Leonard and George Marston Leonard's unpublished manuscript).

More about the involvement of James and Henry Leonard in early ironworks in Massachusetts and New Jersey can be found in Bill Barton's articles,"The Establishment of the Iron Industry in America," "Pre-AmericanAncestry of Our Leonard Ironworkers," and "Leonard Siblings Henry, James,Philip, Sarah, and Thomas in America and Some of Their Descendants,"<freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~bart/LEONARD1.htm>,

James Leonard was allowed to keep an "ordinary" (bar) in Taunton. The license was revoked in 1664/5, but later conveyed to his son, Thomas.

James Leonard frequently entertained Massasoit and King Philip, who journeyed from Mt. Hope to the hunting grounds at Fowling Pond. Fowling Pond is in Raynham, was one mile north of the Ancient Iron Works on present-day King Philip's Street near the end of Mill Street. Fowling Pond was said to be two miles long and three-quarters of a mile wide in King Philip's time, but today has disappeared. James repaired their gunsand conferred favors that led to a lasting friendship.

King Philip conveyed to James Leonard about 250 acres at Mattapoisett Neck in Swansea in October 1665, but the deed was lost by the Plymouth Court. Tradition says that out the outbreak of KIng Philip's War in 1675, Philip gave strict orders that his men were never to harm a Leonard (although young Uriah Leonard was almost shot by King Philip's men early in the war, a bullet having passed through his hat as he rode his horse to escape an attack). It is conjectured that because of the Leonards Taunton was not attacked during the war. (Philip's orders were actually not to disturb certain families including those of James Leonard, John Brown, and Capt. Thomas Willett, all of Taunton --Hurd, p. 346).

One peculiarity to check out: although several Leonards were officers in the militia of the time, there's little mention of Leonards fighting in Philip's War. Bodge in Soldiers of King Philip's War mentions Jacob as serving under Capt. Woodworth, Thomas credited under Capt. Thomas Brattle October 19, 1675, and Thomas at Lynn, August 24, 1676. More research needs to be done on the activities of the Leonards during Philip's War.

One of the garrison houses used during King Philip's War was the Samuel Leonard house erected in 1653 by James Leonard at the site of Taunton's Ancient Iron Works Company now in Raynham. A memorial plaque marking thespot is located seven-tenths of a mile east from Route 44 along the southside of Route 104.

Another traditional story is that Philip's head was deposited in the basement of Leonard's house for safekeeping before being sent to Plymouth. However, none of the early historians indicated anything but that the head was sent directly to Plymouth for display. (Philip was shot by Alderman, a Sakonnet Indian, on August 12, 1676, in a swamp at the foot of Mt. Hope in Bristol. His head was set on a pole in Plymouth and stayed there for a generation. For more on King Philip's War, see Eric B. Schultz and Michael J. Tougias, "King Philip's War: The History and Legacy of America's Forgotten Conflict (Woodstock, VT: TheCountryman Press, 1999)."

ECL notes that James had 68 grandchildren. A chart gives those present at a Thanksgiving family party in 1690, and I've checked all the grandchildren alive then against the chart (there were 45 living in 1690).

Account of Estate of James Leonard of Taunton dtd. August 24, 1697. Agreement about estate among Isaac and Hannah Dean, Joseph Leonard, Uriah Leonard, Thomas Leonard, Benjamin Leonard, James Leonard, John and Abigail Kingsley, and Isaac and Rebecca Chapman. (1:44).

William Reed Deane in "Genealogical Memoir of the Leonard Family" listsall of the children but John (NEHGS Reg. 1851:414(3).

• James LEONARD and Mary Jane MARTIN were married in 1640 in England.[2]
• Mary Jane MARTIN2 (daughter of Isaac MARTIN) was born before 1625.
• She died on 25 Feb 1663/64 in Taunton, Bristol Co., MA.
• She was also referred to as Margaret and Jennie Martin. A family of Martyns lived in Newport, not far from Pontypool. Henry Martyn, yeoman,1573, John, William, Thomas, Morgan, Mary, Edmund, Catherine,
• 1583.William was keeper of the keys in Newport.

Further research at Newportand the Monmouthshire County Records Office might turn up a relationship, although church records in that area do not go back to this era.

--source: http://www.bradsport.com/jamesleonarddescendants1107/b1684.htm#P6254

“February 2, 1732-3, Hannah Deane, sister to Capt. James Leonard late of Taunton deceased, gave to the subscriber the following account of her relations, etc –

           1st Namely her Great Grandfather’s name was   Henry Leonard

2nd Her own Grandfather’s name was Thomas Leonard
3rd Her Father’s name was James Leonard
Her Grandmother’s name was White
Her Mother’s name was Martin
Her Father’s brothers’ names were the eldest, 1. Henry Leonard
2. William Leonard
3. John Leonard
4. Philip Leonard
5. Thomas Leonard
Margery
Joan
Sarah
James, her Father, lived and died at Taunton, New England

Thomas was drowned at Piscataway.

Henry went to New Jersey.

Philip lived at Marshfield and died at Taunton.

William & John never came out of England.

Margery married Henry Samson of Ireland, Lt. of the City of Gallaway.

Sarah died at New Salem.

Joan never came out of England.

Said Hannah said her eldest brother was Thomas Leonard, next James, Joseph, Benjamin, John, Uriah.

The sisters were Abigail and Rebecca.

They all had children save John, who died at about 20 years of age.

Henry, who removed to New Jersey, lived and married his wife in Lynn in New England, from thence he removed to Toppsfield, then removed by way of Taunton to the Jerseys. When he was in Taunton, he had seven likely children, namely,

           The eldest Samuel married Sarah Brooks         

Nathaniel
Thomas married his wife in Virginia
Henry
John married A. Almy (originally)
The daughters, the eldest married Throgmorton; next Mary.
So far Hannah Deane, originally Hannah Leonard, gave me an account.

Settler

Colonial Daughters of the 17th Century (26031)

James Leonard sent aletter to James Leonard, ironworker in or near Taunton, MA stating thatthe extensive iron works there in Bilston belonged to the Leonards. TheLeonards in Taunton decided not to undertake the expense of an extendedsuit to regain the works. The Leonards may also have been involved insome of the ironworks in Somersetshire, England, and Pontypool,Monmouthshire, Wales, as well.

James Leonard was but a short time at the Saugus Ironworks and atBraintree for a longer time. At sale of the Braintree works, he became apartner. With the invitation from Taunton, he moved there, erected aforge and furnace, and continued as masterworkman, a position he held forthe rest of his life. ECL believes Oliver Purchase was the one whoinduced Henry and James along with Ralph Russell to come to Taunton. Heconveyed the two hearths at Taunton to his sons, Thomas and James, andthey in turn conveyed them to their sons. He purchased a lot on MillRiver and erected a one-hearth forge, which he called Whittinton Forge.His son Joseph was the masterworkman at Whittinton Forge. His two othersons, Benjamin and Uriah, were also trained as "bloomers." About 1682James Leonard built a house for himself a short distance from the Taunton(Raynham) Ironworks on the north side of the road. It was a gambled roofhouse two stories in front and running back to one story in the rear.When he died in 1691, he left an estate valued at 500 pounds, a veryrespectable sum in those days (from Elisha Clark Leonard and GeorgeMarston Leonard's unpublished manuscript).

More about the involvement of James and Henry Leonard in early ironworksin Massachusetts and New Jersey can be found in Bill Barton's articles,"The Establishment of the Iron Industry in America," "Pre-AmericanAncestry of Our Leonard Ironworkers," and "Leonard Siblings Henry, James,Philip, Sarah, and Thomas in America and Some of Their Descendants,"<freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~bart/LEONARD1.htm>,

James Leonard was allowed to keep an "ordinary" (bar) in Taunton. Thelicense was revoked in 1664/5, but later conveyed to his son, Thomas. James Leonard frequently entertained Massasoit and King Philip, whojourneyed from Mt. Hope to the hunting grounds at Fowling Pond. FowlingPond is in Raynham, was one mile north of the Ancient Iron Works onpresent-day King Philip's Street near the end of Mill Street. FowlingPond was said to be two miles long and three-quarters of a mile wide inKing Philip's time, but today has disappeared. James repaired their gunsand conferred favors that led to a lasting friendship. King Philipconveyed to James Leonard about two hundred and fifty acres atMattapoisett Neck in Swansea in October 1665, but the deed was lost bythe Plymouth Court. Tradition says that out the outbreak of KIngPhilip's War in 1675, Philip gave strict orders that his men were neverto harm a Leonard (although young Uriah Leonard was almost shot by KingPhilip's men early in the war, a bullet having passed through his hat ashe rode his horse to escape an attack). It is conjectured that becauseof the Leonards Taunton was not attacked during the war. (Philip'sorders were actually not to disturb certain families including those ofJames Leonard, John Brown, and Capt. Thomas Willett, all of Taunton --Hurd, p. 346).

One peculiarity to check out: although several Leonards were officers inthe militia of the time, there's little mention of Leonards fighting inPhilip's War. Bodge in Soldiers of King Philip's War mentions Jacob asserving under Capt. Woodworth, Thomas credited under Capt. Thomas BrattleOctober 19, 1675, and Thomas at Lynn, August 24, 1676..

One of the garrison houses used during King Philip's War was the SamuelLeonard house erected in 1653 by James Leonard at the site of Taunton'sAncient Iron Works Company now in Raynham. A memorial plaque marking thespot is located seven-tenths of a mile east from Route 44 along the southside of Route 104.

James LEONARD1 was born about 1620 in Pontypool, England/Wales. He died on 1 Sep 1691 in Taunton, Bristol Co., MA.2 There is uncertainty as to when and how James Leonard first came toAmerica.

The Land Patent Books of Virginia, Book 1, page 23, shows Robert Bennettgranted 700 acres...for transportation of 14 persons, including JamesLeonard, June 26, 1635. One theory is that James came first to Virginia,then to Maryland, then to Providence, then to Lynn. Source: The LeonardDictionary, Volume III (manuscript). Duplicate record August 18, 1637.Another source is Charles Edward Banks' "Topographical Dictionary of 2885English Emigrants to New England 1620-1650," Baltimore, GenealogicalPublishing Co., 1963, 3rd edition, p. 148, citing Various References:NEGR 5/104. Apparently, employees and recruits of John Winthrop weresometimes not listed as passengers, since they were not paying passengerson those particular vessels crossing the Atlantic.

He arrived before 1650 from Pontypool, Wales, although some sources sayhe first came to Providence, RI, in 1645. He was paid for bringing hisgoods from Providence by the Lynn/Saugus Ironworks in 1651. On January10, 1645/6 in Providence, 25 acres of land were granted to a number ofinhabitants, including James Leonard, but his name had been crossed out.He was the Ironmaster of Taunton, having first participated developmentof the iron works at Braintree and Saugus.

But there appear to have been Leonards in the Pontypool area since theearly 1600's. A Thomas Leonard mentioned in deed of July 29, 1633,bordering lands of John Powell, John Gerbon, and Phillip Morgan inTrevethin (Parish near Pontypool, with a bridge near swamp and pool therein 1490 -- pool later became forge pond). An ironworks was in operationbefore 1634, and there's a record of a complaint against John Wylde forfailure to collect monies from it, instead selling iron at a discount tohis friends. Thomas Morgan was recorded as selling charcoal to it in1640. The works were apparently owned by the Hanburys, probably Richardb. August 1618. Thomas, son of Jacob Leonard, was baptized January 9,1699; William, son of Jacob Leonard, was baptized July 23, 1696;Gwenllian, wife of Thomas Leonard, buried March 15, 1656; Mary Leonardmarried Alexander Lewis January 26, 1656; a son of Philip Leonard wasborn October 27, 1656. Sarah, daughter of James Leonard, baptizedSeptember 1, 1705; Ann, daughter of James Leonard, baptized March 13,1702. Local records include a mention of a Thomas Leonard in 1790, aJohn and Mary Leonard who died at age 84 in 1774. These indicate therewere Leonards and ironmaking in the Pontypool area after James and Thomasleft. These Leonards had names identical to or similar to those whoemigrated to America. There was even a Theophilus Leonard, iron refiner,who died March 31, 1900 in nearby Pontnewydd, Wales, perhaps just acoincidence. (Source: old documents at the Monmouthshire County recordsoffice near Pontypool, October 2003. A researcher with more time couldprobably find some interesting material here.) Elisha Clark Leonard paid5 pounds to a clergyman in Pontypool to check the records for James andHenry, but he reportedly found nothing. GML reported that laterresearchers found nothing about them either. So the theory is that Jamesand Henry were not in Pontypool very long.

Probably James and his young family (and his older brother Henry) werealso ironworkers in the Bilston, Staffordshire (Cheshire?), area prior totheir immigration. Bilston became a center of the "Black Country" ironindustry. George Marston Leonard includes a note on one of his tablesthat "James, son of Thomas, son of Henry of Billston, Staffordshire..."from McKenzie, Colonial Families, Vol. IV. Apparently, the Leonards lefta claim to the ownership of some heavily mortgaged ironworks there,moving on as the mining districts became less productive. Years later(1821?) an ironworker in Bilston by the name of James Leonard sent aletter to James Leonard, ironworker in or near Taunton, MA stating thatthe extensive iron works there in Bilston belonged to the Leonards. TheLeonards in Taunton decided not to undertake the expense of an extendedsuit to regain the works. The Leonards may also have been involved insome of the ironworks in Somersetshire, England, and Pontypool,Monmouthshire, Wales, as well.

James Leonard was but a short time at the Saugus Ironworks and atBraintree for a longer time. At sale of the Braintree works, he became apartner. With the invitation from Taunton, he moved there, erected aforge and furnace, and continued as masterworkman, a position he held forthe rest of his life. ECL believes Oliver Purchase was the one whoinduced Henry and James along with Ralph Russell to come to Taunton. Heconveyed the two hearths at Taunton to his sons, Thomas and James, andthey in turn conveyed them to their sons. He purchased a lot on MillRiver and erected a one-hearth forge, which he called Whittinton Forge.His son Joseph was the masterworkman at Whittinton Forge. His two othersons, Benjamin and Uriah, were also trained as "bloomers." About 1682James Leonard built a house for himself a short distance from the Taunton(Raynham) Ironworks on the north side of the road. It was a gambled roofhouse two stories in front and running back to one story in the rear.When he died in 1691, he left an estate valued at 500 pounds, a veryrespectable sum in those days (from Elisha Clark Leonard and GeorgeMarston Leonard's unpublished manuscript).

More about the involvement of James and Henry Leonard in early ironworksin Massachusetts and New Jersey can be found in Bill Barton's articles,"The Establishment of the Iron Industry in America," "Pre-AmericanAncestry of Our Leonard Ironworkers," and "Leonard Siblings Henry, James,Philip, Sarah, and Thomas in America and Some of Their Descendants,"<freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~bart/LEONARD1.htm>,

James Leonard was allowed to keep an "ordinary" (bar) in Taunton. Thelicense was revoked in 1664/5, but later conveyed to his son, Thomas.

James Leonard frequently entertained Massasoit and King Philip, whojourneyed from Mt. Hope to the hunting grounds at Fowling Pond. FowlingPond is in Raynham, was one mile north of the Ancient Iron Works onpresent-day King Philip's Street near the end of Mill Street. FowlingPond was said to be two miles long and three-quarters of a mile wide inKing Philip's time, but today has disappeared. James repaired their gunsand conferred favors that led to a lasting friendship. King Philipconveyed to James Leonard about two hundred and fifty acres atMattapoisett Neck in Swansea in October 1665, but the deed was lost bythe Plymouth Court. Tradition says that out the outbreak of KIngPhilip's War in 1675, Philip gave strict orders that his men were neverto harm a Leonard (although young Uriah Leonard was almost shot by KingPhilip's men early in the war, a bullet having passed through his hat ashe rode his horse to escape an attack). It is conjectured that becauseof the Leonards Taunton was not attacked during the war. (Philip'sorders were actually not to disturb certain families including those ofJames Leonard, John Brown, and Capt. Thomas Willett, all of Taunton --Hurd, p. 346).

One peculiarity to check out: although several Leonards were officers inthe militia of the time, there's little mention of Leonards fighting inPhilip's War. Bodge in Soldiers of King Philip's War mentions Jacob asserving under Capt. Woodworth, Thomas credited under Capt. Thomas BrattleOctober 19, 1675, and Thomas at Lynn, August 24, 1676. More researchneeds to be done on the activities of the Leonards during Philip's War.

One of the garrison houses used during King Philip's War was the SamuelLeonard house erected in 1653 by James Leonard at the site of Taunton'sAncient Iron Works Company now in Raynham. A memorial plaque marking thespot is located seven-tenths of a mile east from Route 44 along the southside of Route 104.

Another traditional story is that Philip's head was deposited in thebasement of Leonard's house for safekeeping before being sent toPlymouth. However, none of the early historians indicated anything butthat the head was sent directly to Plymouth for display. (Philip wasshot by Alderman, a Sakonnet Indian, on August 12, 1676, in a swamp atthe foot of Mt. Hope in Bristol. His head was set on a pole in Plymouthand stayed there for a generation. For more on King Philip's War, seeEric B. Schultz and Michael J. Tougias, "King Philip's War: The Historyand Legacy of America's Forgotten Conflict (Woodstock, VT: TheCountryman Press, 1999)."

ECL notes that James had 68 grandchildren. A chart gives those presentat a Thanksgiving family party in 1690, and I've checked all thegrandchildren alive then against the chart (there were 45 living in 1690).

Account of Estate of James Leonard of Taunton dtd. August 24, 1697.Agreement about estate among Isaac and Hannah Dean, Joseph Leonard, UriahLeonard, Thomas Leonard, Benjamin Leonard, James Leonard, John andAbigail Kingsley, and Isaac and Rebecca Chapman. (1:44).

William Reed Deane in "Genealogical Memoir of the Leonard Family" listsall of the children but John (NEHGS Reg. 1851:414(3).

James LEONARD and Mary Jane MARTIN were married in 1640 in England.2 Mary Jane MARTIN2 (daughter of Isaac MARTIN) was born before 1625. She died on 25 Feb 1663/64 in Taunton, Bristol Co., MA. She was also referred to as Margaret and Jennie Martin. A family ofMartyns lived in Newport, not far from Pontypool. Henry Martyn, yeoman,1573, John, William, Thomas, Morgan, Mary, Edmund, Catherine, 1583.William was keeper of the keys in Newport. Further research at Newportand the Monmouthshire County Records Office might turn up a relationship,although church records in that area do not go back to this era.

According to ECL, Susanna Leonard (Nathaniel6, Elkanah5, Elkanah4,Elkanah3, Thomas2, James1) states that 1st wife of James was JennieMartin, no source given. ECL also notes, "see VA land records of aMartyn family." James LEONARD and Mary Jane MARTIN had the following children:

+2

i.

Deacon, Major Thomas LEONARD. +3

ii.

Capt. James LEONARD. +4

iii.

Abigail LEONARD. +5

iv.

Joseph LEONARD. +6

v.

Benjamin LEONARD. 7

vi.

John LEONARD was born in 1652 in Taunton, MA. He died in 1682 in Taunton, MA. Died unmarried. Do I remember reading that he lived with a daughter orniece of King Phillip? ECL has him dying in 1682, but no citation.Another source had the date as 1672 and a third 1685. +8

vii.

Rebecca LEONARD. +9

viii.

Hannah LEONARD. +10

ix.

Uriah LEONARD.

James LEONARD and Margaret FORD were married before 1662 in Taunton, Bristol, MA.3 Margaret FORD (daughter of William FORD and ANNA) was born about 1632. She died before 9 Apr 1701 in Taunton, Bristol Co., MA. Was her last name Ford? Will of Margaret Leonard of Taunton, widow,about the 68th year of her age, dtd. November 12, 1700, prob. April 9,1701. Mentions son-in-law Uriah Leonard's wife Elizabeth and his daughterMargaret. Daughter-in-law Hannah Deane and her daughter Abigail Terry,son-in-law James Leonard's daughters Abigail and Prudence Lewis.Son-in-law Thomas Leonard's daughters Elizabeth and Johanah. CousinEleazer Carver to be exec. (She was probably step-mother, notmother-in-law). (2:30). Problem: Thomas Leonard didn't have adaughter named Johanah.

http://members.cox.net/spartanshope/Tree/famf355.html

Notes:

James and his family came to America in 1645 and settled in Providence and in Lynn, MA where entries in an account book of 1651 kept by the Lynn Company stated: "James Leonnarde, 15 days worke about finnerey Chimneye and other worke in ye forge, 1:13:0. To ditto Leonard for dressing his bellows 3 times, 1:10:0. To ditto soe much allowed him for bringing his goods from Providence, 2:0:0.

The family moved to Taunton by 1652 where he and his brother, Henry, set up an iron forge on Two Mile River," this being the first forge in the country for the manufacture of iron. This "bloomerie" was owned by a number of men who bought shares in it and it began operation in 1656. It was sometimes called the Raynham Works.

"James was a friend of the Indian Chief, King Philip, often entertaining him at his home. In October of 1665, King Philip conveyed about 250 acres of land at Mattapoisett Neck in Swansea to James. Tradition says that it was because of this friendship that, at the outbreak of King Philip's War, King Philip gave strict orders that his men were never to harm a Leonard, and conjecture says that because of this, Taunton was not attacked during the war.

James Leonard could not read or write when he came to America but he was able to amass property amounting to 500 pounds during his lifetime."

James remarried a Margaret after Mary's death.

Footnotes

  1. Leonard, Elisha Clark and G. Marston Leonard, James Leonard of Taunton, Massachusetts, Ironmaster.

2. Websites, http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&d....
3. Leonard, Elisha Clark and G. Marston Leonard, James Leonard of Taunton, Massachusetts, Ironmaster.
4. Ibid.
5. James Savage, Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, Before 1692.
and he d. 18 Oct. 1692, in his 38th yr.
6. Hurd, D. Hamilton, History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with Biographical Sketches of Many of its Pioneers & Prominent Men (Philadelphia, 1883), Ancient Burying-Grounds: Burying Ground at the Neck of Land.
7. James Savage, Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, Before 1692.
Children of James and Mary Leonard:

01 (M): Thomas Leonard

  Born: 03 Aug 1641

Died: 24 Nov 1713
Spouses:

02 (M): James Leonard

  Born: about 1643

Died: 01 Nov 1726
Spouses:

03 (F): Abigail Leonard

  Born: about 1645

Died: Unknown
Spouses:

04 (F): Rebecca Leonard

  Born: about 1647

Died: 15 Mar 1735/36
Spouses:

05 (M): Benjamin Leonard

  Born: about 1650

Died: 1725
Spouses:

06 (M): Joseph Leonard

  Born: about 1655 

Died: 18 Oct 1692 in Taunton, Bristol Co., MA
Spouses: Mary Blake

07 (F): Hannah Leonard

  Born: about 1659

Died: 25 Feb 1674/75
Spouses:

08 (M): Uriah Leonard

  Born: 10 Jul 1662

Died: Unknown
Spouses:

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Category: Original 77 Owners of the South Purchase

Biography

England===The birth dates and location(s) for James Leonard and brother Henry, two of the founders of the Taunton Iron Works, are unknown. Their father Thomas moved the family several times while working in the iron refining industry in England and possibly Wales. It is widely reported that James was born in Pontypool, Monmouthshire but there is no evidence of this. He may have come to New England after working at Pontypool, but the earliest evidence of his father was in Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire. (The primary source of information regarding the Leonard family parent and sibling relationships is James' daughter, Hannah Leonard Deane.)<ref>Deane, William Reed. Genealogical Memoir of the Leonard Family. Boston, MA: Self-Published for the New England Historic-Genealogical Register, 1851. Page 21.</ref>

Possibly James and older brother Henry also worked in the Bilston, Staffordshire area prior to their emigration. Apparently the Leonards left a claim to the ownership of some heavily mortgaged ironworks there.An ironworker in Bilston by the name of Leonard sent a letter to his "loving cousin," (James' descendant) Samuel Leonard, stating that extensive iron works situated there belonged to the Leonards. Charles Richmond, Esq. of Taunton, investigated the legal situation in Bilston. The outcome was that the New England Leonards decided not to undertake the expense of an extended suit.<ref> Everett, Alice Allen. "Leonards of Monmouthshire and Somersetshire, England." The American Genealogist,Volume 53, 1977. By Subscription (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2009 - .)Page 104.</ref>
Before his emigration, James married (at an unknown date and location)and had at least one son in England. On 8 August 1641 Thomas Leonard was baptized at Kinver, Staffordshire, England. The mother's name is transcribed as Jane or Jean.<ref name=Birth>"England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J94T-XFC : 19 March 2020), Thomas Leonard, 1641.</ref> (Kinver is only 17 miles from Cleobury Mortimer where some of James' siblings were baptised.)

Leonards and the New England Iron Industry===A group of investors led by John Winthrop Jr. spearheaded efforts to build the first iron works in New England at Braintree.<ref>Bowman, Robert E. "Glimpses into the English and Continental Ancestry of Certain Braintree and and Saugus Ironworkers of about 1650." The Essex Genealogist, Volume 20. 2018. Page 63. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2018.) https://www.americanancestors.org/DB396/i/12957/63/0</ref>The land was purchased in September of 1645, with the furnace likely built the following year. It is unknown when the Leonard brothers arrived, but it is thought that Henry Leonard superintended the erection ofthe Braintree Iron Works.<ref>Swank, James M. History of the Manufacture of Iron in All Ages, and Particularly in the United States from Colonial Times to 1891. Philadelphia, PA: The American Iron and Steel Association, 1892. Page 113.</ref> A largeroperation was built at Lynn on the Saugus River and the first documented records of James Leonard's presence in America appear in the Lynn Iron Works papers dated 1651: § To: James Leonnarde p 15 dayes Worckeabout ye finnerey Chimneye, and other worcke in ye forge £1-13-00§ To: ditto Leonarde p dressing his bellows, 3 times £1-10-__ § To: Ditto. Soe much alloued him forr breingeinge his goods from Prouidence: £2-00-00.<ref> Swank, 1892. Page 110.</ref> In1653 Henry and James were some of the most skilled and highest paid workers.<ref>Griswold, William and Linebaugh, Donald. Saugus Iron Works. The Roland W. Robbins Excavations, 1948-1953. Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site. Page 44.</ref>

Taunton===In October of 1652, the Plymouth Colony town of Taunton offered the Leonard brothers "free consent to come hither, and join with certain of our inhabitants to set up a bloomery work on the Two Mile River."<ref>Baylies, Francis. An Historical Memory of the Colony of New Plymouth.Vol II. Boston, MA: Hilliard, Gray, Little, and Wilkins.1830. Page 268.</ref> Their role seems to have been that of skilled workers, with James owning a one-half share and Henry owningnone.<ref> Swank, 1892. Page 114.</ref> Henry moved on to New Jersey, with James remaining in Taunton where he continued at the iron works along with their brother Philip. James eventually purchased land and built the Whittington Iron Works which he operated with sons Joseph, Benjamin, and Uriah.<ref>Emery, Samuel Hopkins. History of Taunton, Massachusetts From its Settlement to the Present Time. Syracuse, NY: D. Mason & Co., Publishers 1893. Page 630.</ref> (Probably not coincidentally, Whittington is an iron works town in Shropshire.)

In 1659 "inhabitants within the Township of Taunton" were awarded a division of land. For the sum of 18 shillings, James was to receive 58 acres for "ten heads" (members of the household), suggesting that two adults and eight children were included.<ref>Emery, 1893. Page 130. </ref>
Running the Taunton Iron Works seems to have given James some trouble,some advantages, and some civic obligations:* On 6 Oct. 1659 James Leonard and Phillip Lenard and others, all of Taunton, were warned to personally appear at the court "to bee holden the first Tuesday in March next" to answer for sundry misdemeanors committed in Taunton.<ref>Shurtleff, Nathaniel B. Records of the Colony ofNew Plymouth of New England, Court Orders Vol. III 1651-1661. Boston,MA: Legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1855. Page 176. </ref>* By order of the Court in June of 1662, James was "freed from training in the milletarie company of Taunton, in reference to his calling, being a bloomer…"<ref>Shurtleff, 1855. Page 15.</ref>* James Leonard was awarded the privilege to keep an "ordinary" (a public location for alcoholic beverages) in Taunton. The license was revoked in March of 1663/4 as a result of his "having buryed his wife and in that respect not being soe capable of keeping a publicke house..." Several months later the license was awarded to his son Thomas.<ref name=Lic>Shurtleff, 1855. Page 54.</ref>* James served as a juror in a potential murder case on July of 1664. (He signed the verdict with his mark.)<ref> Shurtleff, 1855. Page 71.</ref> In 1679, James Sr. and son Thomas participated in the "South Purchase"of land from King Philip (alias Metacum, Chief Sachem of Pakanaukett.) <ref>Emery, 1893. Page 121. </ref> It's reported in several genealogical and historical publications that James built a home close to the Taunton Forge and was helpful to King Philip, whose favored bird hunting pond was on James' land. According to Cutter, "...he was a great friend to King Philip... and when the town was burned his house was spared."<ref>Cutter, William Richard. New England Families Genealogical and Memorial. ThirdSeries, Volume I. New York, NY: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1915. Page 389. </ref>

Marriage===There remains uncertainty regarding James' wives; Hannah Leonard Deaneidentifies her mother as ___ Martin. That leaves two possibilities: 1) James' first wife "Jane/Jean" died and Mary Martin was a second marriage or 2) there's an issue with Thomas' birth record. We know from Colony records that Mary died before March of 1663/4,<ref name=Lic/> within months of Uriah's birth. No details are known about James' next marriage to Margaret (birth surname unknown) except that he predeceased her and is named in his will.<ref name=NEHGR>"Abstracts from the FirstBook of Bristol County Probate Records." New England Historical and Genealogical Register, October 1909, Page 327.</ref>

Children===Combining the statement given by James' daughter Hannah and the discoveries of genealogical researchers, the known children of James Leonardare (order uncertain):

1. Thomas bap. Kinver 8 Aug 1641;<ref name=Birth/> m Mary Watson# James b ca 1643 prob in England;<ref>Deane, 1861. Page 17.</ref> m (1) Hannah (2) Lydia Gulliver# Abigail;<ref name=Deane>Deane, 1861. Page 22.</ref> m John Kingsley
2. Rebecca;<ref name=Deane/> m Isaac Chapman
3. Joseph;<ref name=Deane/> m Mary Black
4. Benjamin;<ref name=Deane/> m Sarah Thresher
5. Hannah;<ref name=Deane/> m Isaac Deane
6. John; died at about twenty years old<ref name=Deane/># Uriah b 10 Jul 1662;<ref>"Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FCVZ-7HQ : 15 January 2020), Uriah Leonard, 1662.</ref> m ElizabethCaswell

Death===James died in 1691; and the estate was settled on November 6, 1691. Joseph "to have one fourth of his father's iron works, "with some adjacent land, and "to pay 20 shillings in money, and 400 of iron annually to his mother-in-law;" Uriah "to have the rest of the Whittington Iron Works, dwelling house and land," and "pay 600 of iron per annum to hismother-in-law Margaret as long as she continued his father's widow ;"James "to have some tracts of land, "the old home lot," and "his father's half share in the Taunton Iron Works", also £4 9s. more from theestate; Benjamin to have certain parcels of land named, the shop tools, old iron, his father's clothing and as much more from the estate asto make £26 9s. Abigail and John Kingsbury, Rebecca and Isaac Chapman, and Hannah and Isaac Dean (daughters and husbands) to have certain tracts of land and proceeds of sales from the estate, to make for each£26 9s. Thomas to have the dwelling house near the iron works on TwoMile River, after the death of his mother-in-law, and to administer the estate, to pay all bequests to the heirs, and have the remainder. One third of all the movables were assigned to Widow Margaret, she "to reside in the house where she lives as long as she remains a widow." Margaret gave a statement on November 10, 1691 stating her agreement.<ref>"Abstracts from the First Book of Bristol County Probate Records." The Genealogical Advertiser, Volume 4, 1901.Page 123.</ref>

Sources

<references/>