The Leonards of North Carolina

Seraphna

During our family reunion some documents were shared that my cousin had discovered. Among the documents were letters to Seraphna written by her first husband Jim Murphy. What a treasure they are!

And while at war: 

"I think sometimes if only I could get home I would never leave there again in my life it does actually seem hard for me just in the bloom of life to spend so much of my days in this miserable life in such .... unholy war as this is but if we ever gain an independence we will certainly no the good of it peaceful home and country, but for all this I feel proud that I am a soldier in defense of my country and home." 

James was killed October 14, 1863.

The Leonard Family of Franklin County, NC

Leo Larkin Leonard

Larkin was the fourth child born to Frederick and Elizabeth Leonard.  Larkin was born on 27 Feb 1801. Frederick was 34 and Elizabeth was 24 when he was born. 

In 1803 Thomas Jefferson made the Louisiana Purchase from France opening up a vast amount of land. In 1836 the first wagon train was organized to travel the Oregon Trail. Although Larkin did not move out west, I am sure that he knew people that left North Carolina for the western frontier.

By the time Larkin was 4 he would have been expected to help out around the farm with basic tasks. Popular games during this time was tops, checkers, cards, chess and badminton. 

On February 28, 1828 Larkin obtained a marriage bond to marry Cynthia Gupton. She was the daughter of William Gupton and Frances Temperance Foster.

Larkin's older brother, Willis, was his bondsman. Willis would marry Sarah Collins and move to Georgia.

During the time that Larkin and Cynthia lived the fashions for men were long wool frocks with trousers and vest, large bow ties and hats. Men wore beards and mustaches. Women wore floral prints or plaids with bonnets and shawls. During the mid to late 1800s women began to wear corsets. Due to the cost of purchasing fabric many homes had looms.

Larkin and Cynthia had six children. They were:

Frances with unknown young girl

1. Frances Ann Elizabeth Leonard - born 3 Jul 1829. Married William P. Murphy the son of Bird Murphy and Alethea Lacy Gilliam. William Murphy died at Point Lookout Maryland while a POW during the Civil war. She never remarried and died on 27 Jul 1916.
2. Virginia Caroline Leonard - born in 1831 and died in 1896. Never married.
3. Peyton R. Leonard - born in 1833 and died 23 Aug 1862 during the Civil War from Typhus. Never married.
4. Benjamin Leonard -  born in 1834 and died in 1855. Never married.
5. William Henry Leonard- our ancestor and to be discussed in a future post.
6. Mary Elizabeth Leonard - born 24 Dec 1846. Married Henry Spencer Gupton 14 Apr 1867. Henry was the son of Henry George Gupton and Matilda Leonard. Matilda was the daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth. Matilda would have been Mary Elizabeth's aunt.

The issue of slavery was dominating the political scene. The 1850's saw the Underground Railway. By 1861 the southern states had seceded from the union. The war affected many in the Leonard family. As noted above William Murphy and Peyton Leonard both died during the conflict. William Henry also served but returned home to marry the widow, Seraphna Collins Murphy. 

Larkin passed away on 7 Aug 1885 at the age of 84. Larkin left a will and in it he made sure that Virginia was taken care of during her life. He divided his land between his children. He appointed his son, William, and his son-in-law, Henry Gupton, the executors of his estate.

Because there is not any mention of Cynthia in his will, she must have passed away prior to his death.

Below is a copy of his will:

Recently discovered document concerning Larkin's estate:

Next blog post I will revisit the story of William Henry and Seraphna. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Pattie

The Leonard Family of Franklin County, NC

Frederick Leonard

Frederick is the Leonard who is our direct line through the Leonard family branch. Frederick, son of John, was born in 1767 probably in North Carolina since John was listed in the taxpayer list in 1766. Frederick married Elizabeth Wester/Westray on 10 Jan 1793. Archibald Leonard, the last child of this marriage passed down the family bible. In it we have the dates of the marriages and births of all 14 children.

They were:

·         Martha born 17 May 1794

o   Married David Collins abt 1815

·         John born 9 Oct 1795

o   Married Priscilla Stokes (who later married William)

·         Willis born 4 Dec 1797

o   Married Sarah Collins in 1827 daughter of James Collins and Temperance Vinson

o   Both died in Vienna Dooley County, GA. In 1853

§  Doctor Bothwell Leonard born 16 Jan 1838 – who became very rich and successful and discussed in an earlier blog post.

·         Leo Larkin born 27 Feb 1801

o   Our direct ancestor and will be addressed later

·         Bennett H. born 18 Aug 1802

o   Married Nancy Vincent Pearce on 29 Jan 1828 daughter of John Pearce and Rebecca Allen

o   Died 23 Feb 1879 in Franklin Co.

Bennett and Nancy

·        Nancy born 12 Jul 1806

o   Married Britton Wood on 15 Dec 1834

·         Elizabeth born 14 Oct 1807

o   Married Gray Murphy on 21 Jan 1833

o   Died in 1862

o   See her picture under the section on Larkin.

·         Mary P. born 14 June 1809

o   Married George Washington Collins on 23 Nov 1830 in F.C.

·         Frederick Jr born 15 Jul 1811

o   Married Sacky Jane Gupton on 10 Dec 1839

o   Died 16 Mar 1863 buried in the Fed Jr. Family cemetery on Hollingsworth Rd.

·         Mahaley born 13 Jul 1813

o   Married Eaton Leonard on 4 Aug 1834

·         Matilda Margaret born 13 Dec 1815

o   Married Henry George Gupton in 1839 son of William Gupton and Frances Temperance Foster

·         William Parker born 22 Apr 1816

o   Died 1885

·         Eliza Jane born 10 Sep 1818

o   Married John G. Leonard on 26 Aug 1840

·         Archibald L. born 8 Apr 1823

o   Married Jennet Gilliam on 9 Mar 1868 daughter of Marcus Gilliam

o   Died 22 Mar 1908 buried in the Archibald Leonard cemetery on Walter Collins Rd.

Elizabeth’s family can be traced back to the early years of Jamestown and some very influential people. This family branch will be addressed separate from the Leonard family. It is through her line that we could all become members of the Jamestown Society.

Frederick Leonard is a name that appears often in records.

In 1820 Frederick paid taxes on 1003 acres.

He served on juries twice in 1823 and was a poll keeper during elections in the county of Franklin.

In the earlier Federal census reports Frederick was a slave owner. In 1800 he had only 1, in 1810 the number had grown to 8 and was 8 again in 1830. In 1840 he owned 2 slaves.

In the Sandy Creek Baptist Church Minutes, we find more records about Frederick joining the church in 1830.

However, in 1839 there were problems…. Excommunicated for drinking.

Frederick passed away on 6 Feb 1856 at the age of 88 as found in the Franklin Times:

 Frederick did not have a will so once again the estate was settled through the courts.

Above is one of the three pages of the inventory and sale of Frederick's estate. 

Elizabeth passed away after Frederick in 1864. In her will she made it clear that what she left to her daughters was not to be subject to their husbands’ debt or control.  

Thanks for stopping by!

Pattie

Leonard family of Franklin County, NC

William Leonard

From future census records and his military pension records, we know that William was born in Prince George County, Virginia on 2 Jun 1760. Shortly after moving with his family to Franklin County, William joined the local militia, 14 May 1776. He marched to Wilmington N.C. where he heard the Declaration of Independence read for the first time. Later in Feb of 1781 he was drafted for another three-month term. His unit marched to Warrenton, then to Harrisburg in Granville County, and then to Guilford Old Court House, the headquarters of General Nathaniel Green. At the time of the battle there he was sick and sent off with the baggage to the iron works. Later, at Ramsey’s Mill he was attached to a company under Captain Evans. He marched with the main army down to Camden, S.C. and was in the engagement of the British there. This information was taken from his testimony in court.

Sometime around 1779 William married Catherine Murphy, the daughter of Arthur and Charity Murphy. Arthur’s will confirms this relationship. The couple had the following children:

• ·         John
• ·         William Jr
• ·         Van (Vandeo Van)
• ·         Cherry
• ·         Sarah

It is through Van’s daughter, Mary Polly, who married Jack Brewer that our family is tied to William. Through the Brewer line, William becomes our grandfather. Through the John Leonard direct descendants, William is our uncle as brother of Frederick.

When looking at the names of William's children we find Van or Vandeo Van. In an earlier post I discussed the possible relationship with the Vandavan in Prince George Virginia records. The use of this name is found several times in the Leonard family of Franklin County.

John lived  to the ripe old age of 92, he passed away on April 1, 1852. He watched our country grow from a English colony to an independent country. 

William lived a colorful life. 

After the birth of Sarah, Catherine passed away. William then fathered two sons that records indicate were illegitimate, Eaton and Curlin. Their mother's name is unknown.

William married again in December of 1836, to Priscilla Stokes Leonard. She was the widow of William’s nephew John and the daughter of Thomas Stokes.

There was a big age difference between William and Priscilla. William would have been 64 years old and Priscilla would have been around 40 years old. Priscilla had four children from her marriage to John. She was about the age of William's children. I wonder what they thought about this marriage.

After William's death, Priscilla sought pension for William's service during the American Revolutionary war.

After William and Priscilla's deaths the family continued to fight in the courts over their inheritance. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Pattie

John Leonard, the Elder, Franklin County, North Carolina

John Leonard

The Elder 

of Franklin County North Carolina

The first mention of John in the records of Franklin County seem to be when John was listed in the NC taxpayers for 1766 in Bute County. Bute County would later be dissolved and divided into Granville, Warren and Franklin Counties. 

Also in the Bute records is John's purchase of land. 

12 Feb 1777

John Leonard purchased land in Franklin County from Ephraim Gillam and was recorded in the courts. It was witnessed by Peter Smart, the grandfather of Peter Collins. They are both related to the Leonard family. Peter Smart would be my six times great grandfather. Peter Smart came to North Carolina directly from Edinburgh, Scotland before 1752 when he married Sarah.

In the Franklin County, NC Deed book 1 pp 717 we find that on 2 Feb 1780 Wm. Stuart sold John Leonard a tract of 100 acres beginning at black gum on Miry Prong and adjacent to William Leonard and Ephraim Gilliam.

Another record of land sale is below from March 1793. This record helps to identify John's wife as Mary.

March 1793

John can be found in three census records in Franklin County, 1790, 1800, 1810. The 1790 Census lists him as Jones but I am sure that is an error on the census takers part. Also William Leonard is listed on that census. The 1800 census has many of our ancestors listed living close to each other. They were John Leonard Sr. and Jr., James Collins Sr. and Jr., Peter Collins and Frederick Leonard. 1810 was similar to 1800. From these records we know that John owned slaves. In 1790 he is recorded with 4, in 1800 there are 7 on the record, and finally in 1810 with 8.

An interesting discovery was an inquest into the death of Robert Acres. It seems that on 12 March 1803 an inquest was held. On the 6^th of March, Robert Acres came to John’s and continued to drink until the 11^th when he was found dead that morning. The jurors believed that drinking was the cause of death.

John's will lists his children by name: They were:

• ·         William
• ·         Elizabeth
• ·         Frederick
• ·         Mary

John Leonard's will, page one 

John Leonard's will, page two

John's sons; William and Frederick are both direct ancestors for our branch of the Leonard family. Over the years we find that the Leonards intermarry and create an interesting but confusing web of branches. I want to thank Gerald for his previous research that he shared with me. Without that information I would have been totally lost and confused. 

Next up: William Leonard and how he is connected to our tree as both uncle and grandfather.

Thanks for stopping by!

Pattie

The Leonard Family

The Search for John

There is a family name that appears several times in Franklin County, North Carolina. That name is very unique; Vandevan.  This name only appears in the descendants of John the Elder. This name could be another clue to the family in Virginia. 

After John is found in North Carolina, the records show a Vandevan Leonard still living in Prince George, Virginia. This Vandevan eventually settled in Georgia. Below is the research of the Leonard family of Georgia. Once again family names appear; Frederick and Patrick. I will share three of the pages about the Leonard family in Virginia. It gives us some food for thought about this family.

Another interesting discovery was a family in early Virginia with the surname Vandevin. I am wondering if our Leonard ancestors married into this family and would account for the name used in future generations. 

Share your thoughts with me, what do you think? 

Thanks for stopping by!

Pattie

The Leonard Family

Looking for John

In my last post I shared maps that indicate where the Leonard family lived in Prince George as well as maps showing the changing boundaries in the formation of the counties. Today I will share some finds about the Leonards in early Virginia. 

Above is a record found in Amelia County.

This is from the Land patents in early Virginia. Warrasquinoke would become Isle of Wight Virginia.

Could this be the grandparents of our John, the Elder found in Franklin County? 

Above record was found in Virginia Colonial Abstracts.

The following document was taken from Virginia Gleanings found in England. (two pages)

What does all this mean? I am not sure, yet. But I will continue to dig and see what I can find. 

On the news recently was a report about the descendants of a Union soldier that stole records during the war. The family returned the book to Charles City Virginia. They are in the process of restoration and digitizing these records. I am hoping that there will be more records for the Leonard family.

Thanks for stopping by!

Pattie 

The Leonard Family

John Leonard

Today I have spent almost all day looking for more records for the John Leonard that was the father of our Franklin County John Leonard. 

It is pretty frustrating when researching in the burnt counties of Virginia. However I have found a few things that make me continue to search. 

This is a map of Prince George County, Virginia in 1864. Granted this is well after our John appeared in Franklin County but going on the assumption that the entire family did not leave Virginia, this map has more meaning.

The Leonard family is still in Prince George County!

Another interesting find today was a Vandevan Leonard living in Prince George about the same time as our John left. Vandevan is a unique name that we also find in the descendants of John in Franklin County. Possibly a family name?

Here is a section of the Hildebrand map showing early settlers of Prince George.

The Leonard land in this map looks a lot like the map of 1864.

Looks like I have found the Leonard land in Prince George County. What else can I find? 

While I am looking at maps I downloaded maps showing the formation of the counties in Virginia. Looking at this might help explain why some of the records for John are in other counties.

Prince George County was not formed before 1700. The area labeled Charles City would become part of Prince George. Henrico County is bordering what would become Prince George. I have found records of a John Leonard and his wife Mary listed in the Henrico records. Our John? Can't say..

This map above is from 1731-1740. Now there is a Prince George County and Amelia County. Amelia County was formed from Henrico. AND I have records for Amelia for a John Leonard. hmmm..

The map above shows more changes....

In the map for 1761-1770, above, look at how Prince George has changed. Dinwiddie has taken some of Prince George County. 

I guess what I will need to do is look at all the counties for records; Charles City, Prince George, Henrico, Amelia and Dinwiddie.  The family stayed in one place but the boundaries kept changing. 

I also want to look into this Vandevan Leonard that was from Prince George and eventually settled in Georgia.. He has to be related some how!

Next post I will share some of the records I have found.

Thanks for stopping by!

Pattie

The Leonard Family

John - the Elder - Leonard

In 1766 John is listed in the NC taxpayers for Bute County. Parts of Bute County would become Franklin County. 

The first land record for John Leonard in Franklin County North Carolina seems to be when he purchased land from Ephraim Gilliam on 12 Feb 1777. The record below is from the Bute County Minutes of the Court of Pleas.

The witness for the sale was Peter Smart, the grandfather of Peter Collins. Peter's daughter, Priscilla, was James Collins' first wife. I have posted on this blog information about the Collins family. 

In the Franklin County Deed Book 1 on page 717 we find that on 2 Feb 1780, Wm Stuart sold John Leonard a tract of 100 acres beginning at the black gum on the Miry Prong and adjacent to William Leonard and Ephraim Gilliam. 

In March of 1793 John and his wife Mary are involved in more land transactions. (See below)

John is found in the Census records for 1790, 1800 and 1810.

In the 1790 Census the census taker wrote down Jones instead of John.

1790

No females are listed on this census. 

1800

It appears that in 1800 John and his wife, Mary, are living in Franklin County and the children are all living on their own.

1810

It appears that Mary has passed away sometime between 1800 and 1810. John is living alone.

An interesting discovery was an inquest into the death of Robert Acres. It seems that on 12 Mar 1803 the inquest into Robert's death, testimony was that Robert came to John's home and continued to drink for days. On the 11th day he was found deceased. The jury ruled the death was caused by drink.

John passed away sometime before June of 1814. In his will he listed his children as:

• William
• Elizabeth
• Frederick
• Mary

This concludes the story of John Leonard. As I find more information I will post it. 

On that note: 

Today I came across the Vestry Book and Register of Bristol Parrish 1720 - 1789. Although it was suppose to be searchable, when I tried to use the search feature, I did not get any results for Leonard or Lennard. I decided to browse through the book anyway and found John Lenard. (This should be the father of the above John Leonard of Franklin County)  He was listed receiving tobacco for "keeping Hudsons child".  Aug 20, 1739 - Nov 6, 1749. I am still scanning through the book and if I find more references to John, I will post it as well. Also found in this book are several mentions of the Gilliam family. Could this be the same family that John bought land from in Franklin County? I am guessing, probably!

Thanks for stopping by!

Pattie