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