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