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