The Leonard Family

Finding the First Leonards

Trying to find all the links for the Leonard family is a bit difficult. We know that the family began life in the colonies in Virginia. Connecting John Leonard, the first Leonard in Franklin County North Carolina, to our probable ancestors James and Thomas Leonard is proving to be difficult. Unfortunately, the records are difficult to find because Virginia has so many “burned Counties”. Many records were destroyed in fires and wars.  

 All indications are that James and his son Thomas is the beginning of the American story. James seems to be well documented, moving away from Virginia to New England.

Thomas came to Jamestown in 1635 on board the ship, Assurance, that left from Gravesend, England. Thomas was 18 when he made the journey. This information came from the works of John Camden Hotten – U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index. Also on board were William Leonard age 35 and Maria Leonard age 22.

In the database of Early Virginia Immigrants, 1623-1666 we find James Leonard who came over in 1635 and was part of the group brought over by Robert Bennett. From this database we also see a Katherine Leonard who came over in 1637, brought over by Freeman Bridges and settled on the side of Chickamoniny River.

The next reference to Thomas Leonard that I have found was in Surry County Virginia in 1667. He was listed as one of the persons receiving land there. This was found in the book Early Virginia Families on the James River.

There is also a John Leonard that came to Virginia in 1702 and was part of the French refugees or the Protestants (Huguenots) that fled France.

We know that our John Leonard that came to Franklin County, North Carolina immigrated from Prince George County, Virginia.

In Prince George, Virginia I have found the following records.

In an article about the Hunicutts of Prince George County, written by James Branch Cabel and published in The William and Mary Quarterly Vol. 27 No,1 (Jul 1918) pp 34-44 John Leonard is mentioned.

“Deed, dated 9 May 1727 by Robert Hunicutt of the county of Prince George, cardwainer, (a worker in leather) to John Holloway of the same county; planter: in consideration of £13, conveying 100 acres, of which the bounds are duly recited. This is the land purchased from Richard Nance in 1721. This instrument furthermore recites that these premises were sold by Benjamin Forester to John Leonard, who in turn sold the tract to Richard Nance.”

On 25 May 1734 John Leonard purchased land in Prince George, Virginia on the north side of the Warwick Swamp (150 acres)

On 30 Mar 1743 he bought another 150 acres on the north side of the Mitchells Branch, adjoining his old lines.

On 5 Jul 1751 he purchased another 83 acres on the north side of Warwick Swamp.

The land grant information is available online at the Library of Virginia.

In the database, Virginia Colonial Abstracts Vol. III, for Prince George County John is mentioned.

In 1736 -John Leonard -To yr Co Levys in 1733 and 1734 paid by James Long.

In 1736 there is mention of a store debt that was paid in cash by Thomas Howlett for John Leonard. There is also a store debt for a Thomas Leonard that year.

Listed in the Bristol Parish Register for Prince George County are the following births:

·         John, son of John and Mary Leonard born 30^th Jan 1731

·         Mary, daughter of John and Mary Leonard born 20^th Aug 1731, baptized Sep 6^th

·         Patrick, son of John and Mary Leonard born 31^st Jul 1734, baptized 16 Apr 16 1735

·         Frederick, son of John and Mary Leonard born 22 Mar 1740

·         Winifred, daughter of John and Mary Leonard born 30 Dec 1743

My thoughts are that this John and Mary are the parents of the John Leonard that came to Franklin County, North Carolina and the John listed born in 1731 is our John.

Thanks for stopping by!

Pattie