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